Chile and the New Zealand visa waiver
Chilean citizens are on New Zealand's list of visa-waiver countries. In practice, this means you can arrive as a tourist, see family or attend business meetings without first applying for a visitor visa. Since 1 October 2019, though, the waiver only works if you hold an NZeTA (New Zealand Electronic Travel Authority) linked to your passport.
The NZeTA is not a visa. It is a pre-travel check that confirms you are eligible to travel under the waiver. Once it is approved, it stays valid for up to 2 years and covers multiple trips, so a single NZeTA application can serve a summer holiday this year and a family visit next year.
Chile and New Zealand share a lot: both are long, narrow Pacific countries with volcanoes, glaciers, wine regions and a strong outdoor culture. Many Chileans visit to hike the Great Walks, ski in Queenstown or Wānaka, or explore Marlborough and Hawke's Bay wineries. Whatever the reason, the entry rules are the same.
Flying from Santiago to Auckland
Chile has one of the few nonstop air links between South America and New Zealand. Flights from Santiago (SCL) to Auckland (AKL) cross the Pacific in roughly 12 to 14 hours, depending on winds. Some travellers instead connect through Australia or North America, especially when flying on to Christchurch, Wellington or Queenstown.
You will cross the International Date Line. A flight that leaves Santiago late at night usually lands in Auckland two calendar days later. Check the arrival date on your ticket when you fill in your travel dates, and when you book your first night of accommodation.
Because both countries are in the southern hemisphere, the seasons match. December to February is summer in Santiago and in Auckland, which makes it the busiest time to travel. If you prefer quieter roads and lower prices, consider March to May, when autumn colours in Central Otago are at their best.
Your passport, not your cédula
Chileans can visit several neighbouring countries with a cédula de identidad. New Zealand is different: you must travel on a valid Chilean passport, and the NZeTA is electronically linked to that specific passport.
| Document | Accepted for New Zealand? |
|---|---|
| Chilean passport (pasaporte) | Yes, if valid for at least 3 months after you leave New Zealand |
| Cédula de identidad | No |
| Expired or damaged passport | No, renew it before you apply |
If you plan to renew your passport soon, do that first. A new passport means a new NZeTA, because the authority cannot be moved from one passport to another. Dual nationals should apply with whichever passport they will show to the airline in Santiago.
Entering two surnames correctly
Most Chilean passports show two surnames: the apellido paterno followed by the apellido materno. Small differences between your application and your passport are one of the most common reasons for delays at check-in.
- Put both surnames in the family name field, in the order shown in your passport
- Put all your given names (for example, "María José") in the given name field
- Copy the spelling from the machine-readable zone at the bottom of the photo page, where accents and ñ are usually removed
- Double-check your passport number, as the letters and numbers can be easy to mix up
Visiting or working: which do you need?
An NZeTA suits short stays. If you want to earn money in New Zealand, you need a different visa. Compare the two options below.
NZeTA (visa waiver)
Tourism, visiting friends and relatives, business meetings and conferences, or a short course of up to 3 months. Stay up to 90 days per visit. No paid work.
Chile Working Holiday Visa
Young Chilean citizens may be eligible to travel and work for a set period. It is a separate visa with its own criteria and application, and it is not issued through an NZeTA.
Planning to combine a holiday with business? See our guide to business travel with an NZeTA, or read about tourist visits to New Zealand.
Applying from Chile, step by step
The NZeTA application is online and takes about 10 minutes per traveller. You can add up to 10 travellers in one application, which is handy for families travelling together.
Your details
Enter your email address, choose "Visit Visa" and pick a processing speed.
Passport
Copy each traveller's passport details exactly, including both surnames.
Questions
Answer short health and character questions honestly.
Photo & payment
Upload a clear face photo and pay by card. The IVL levy is included.
Normal processing takes 48–72 hours, Emergency 24–48 hours and Rush 12–24 hours. Prices for each option are on the NZeTA fees page. When you're ready, start your NZeTA application for Chile.
Before you board in Santiago
An approved NZeTA lets you board. At the border in Auckland, an immigration officer decides whether to let you in, so pack the following:
- The same passport you used for the NZeTA application
- A return ticket to Chile or an onward ticket to another country
- Evidence of funds, such as a credit card or recent bank statement
- The address of your first accommodation
- Your completed New Zealand Traveller Declaration, which is separate from the NZeTA
Biosecurity works much like Chile's SAG checks. Declare fresh fruit, dried meat such as charqui, honey, seeds, nuts and any outdoor gear with soil on it. If in doubt, declare it. Undeclared risk items can lead to an instant fine.
Apply for your New Zealand eTA from Chile
Questions Chilean travellers ask
Not for short visits. Chile is a visa-waiver country, so you can visit for up to 90 days without a visa. You must, however, hold an approved NZeTA before you travel by air or cruise ship.
No. The cédula is accepted for travel to some South American countries, but New Zealand only accepts a valid passport. Apply for your NZeTA with the passport you will carry on the trip.
Yes. The route makes no difference. The airline will check that you have an approved NZeTA at check-in in Santiago, before you board.
Enter both surnames in the family name field, in the same order and spelling as your passport. Leave out accents if the machine-readable zone of the passport does not show them.
An NZeTA does not allow work. Young Chileans may be eligible for the Chile Working Holiday Visa, which is a separate visa with its own application and conditions.
Up to 2 years, or until your passport expires if that is sooner. You can use it for several trips, staying up to 90 days each time.