Quick checks before you apply
- You are a Finnish citizen travelling on a Finnish passport
- Your passport is valid for at least 3 months after you plan to leave New Zealand
- Your trip is for tourism, visiting people, business meetings or a short course
- You plan to stay no longer than 90 days
- You have a recent photo of your face and a payment card ready
If all five apply, you can apply for your NZeTA online straight away. If not, read on.
Finland and the New Zealand visa waiver
Finland is one of New Zealand's visa-waiver countries. Finnish citizens don't need to apply for a visitor visa for short stays, but since 1 October 2019 they must hold an NZeTA, the New Zealand Electronic Travel Authority, before travelling by plane or cruise ship.
The NZeTA is a digital pre-screening, not a visa. Once approved, it is valid for up to 2 years and can be used for any number of trips in that time, as long as each one is within the visitor rules. Finns who are also citizens of another country should apply with the passport they will actually travel on.
Passport or henkilökortti?
Many Finns travel around Europe with just their henkilökortti. For New Zealand, you need your passport. Airlines will refuse boarding without it, and the NZeTA application asks for your passport number.
Enter your name as it appears in the machine-readable zone at the bottom of the photo page. Letters like ä and ö are shown there in plain Latin characters, and the NZeTA form follows the same format. Using the MRZ version keeps your application, flight booking and passport consistent.
Renewing your passport? An NZeTA cannot be moved to a new passport. If you renew before your trip, apply for the NZeTA with the new passport.
Flying from Helsinki
Helsinki-Vantaa is a major gateway between Europe and Asia, which helps when travelling to New Zealand. Common routes connect through Singapore, Bangkok, Hong Kong or Tokyo, or through Gulf hubs such as Doha and Dubai, and then fly on to Auckland or Christchurch. Some itineraries include a further stop in Australia.
Total journey times are often 25 to 30 hours. Because your airline can check your NZeTA as early as the first check-in in Helsinki, make sure it is approved before you leave home, not just before your final flight.
Swapping kaamos for summer
New Zealand's seasons are the opposite of Finland's. While Lapland sits in the polar night of kaamos, New Zealand enjoys long summer days, which makes December to February the most popular time for Finnish visitors.
| When you leave Finland | What you find in New Zealand |
|---|---|
| December–February | Summer: hiking, swimming, festivals |
| March–May | Autumn: mild weather, harvest season |
| June–August | Winter: skiing, and the chance of seeing the aurora australis in the far south |
| September–November | Spring: blossom, waterfalls at full flow |
How to apply from Finland
Open the form
Choose "Visit Visa" and your processing option.
Passport details
Use the MRZ spelling of your name.
Answer questions
Short health and character declarations.
Photo and payment
Upload a face photo and pay by card.
Choose Normal (48–72 hours), Emergency (24–48 hours) or Rush (12–24 hours). Your fee includes the International Visitor Conservation and Tourism Levy (IVL). Current prices are on the NZeTA fees page. Up to 10 travellers can share one application, and each child needs their own NZeTA.
Start your NZeTA application from Finland
At the border: documents and biosecurity
An immigration officer makes the final decision when you arrive. Be ready to show your passport, a return or onward ticket, proof of funds and your accommodation details. You also need to complete the New Zealand Traveller Declaration before arrival.
Typical Finnish items to declare: dried forest mushrooms, berries and berry products, smoked or dried reindeer meat, rye bread with seeds, honey, and any hiking or fishing gear that has been used outdoors. If you are unsure, declare it.
Work and study
You can study on an NZeTA for up to 3 months, which suits language courses or short professional programmes. You cannot work. Young Finnish citizens who want to travel and work for a longer period may be eligible for the Finland Working Holiday Visa, which is a separate visa. For short business trips, read our business visitor guide; for general questions, see the NZeTA FAQ.
Questions from Finnish travellers
No. Finland is a visa-waiver country. Finnish citizens can visit for up to 90 days per trip, but must have an approved NZeTA before departure.
No. The identity card is valid for travel in Europe only. New Zealand requires a valid passport, and your NZeTA must be linked to it.
Copy your name exactly as it appears in the machine-readable zone of your Finnish passport, where these letters are written in plain Latin characters.
You must declare them on arrival. Biosecurity officers will inspect them and decide whether they can enter. Undeclared food can lead to an instant fine.
Young Finnish citizens may be eligible for the Finland Working Holiday Visa. It is separate from the NZeTA and has its own application.
Yes. It is valid for up to 2 years, or until your passport expires, and covers multiple visits of up to 90 days each.