The NZeTA for Korean travellers in brief
South Korea has had a visa waiver arrangement with New Zealand for many years. Korean citizens can holiday, visit friends and family, or go on a business trip without a visa. Since October 2019, you also need an NZeTA before you travel. It is a quick online authorisation, linked to your passport, that the airline checks at check-in.
Once approved, the NZeTA is valid for up to two years, or until your passport expires. You can visit New Zealand as often as you like during that period, staying up to 90 days each time. We help Korean travellers complete and submit the NZeTA application; the New Zealand immigration authorities make the decision.
This page applies to Republic of Korea (South Korea) passport holders only. Citizens of other countries who live in Korea should check the rules for their own nationality.
Entering a romanised Korean name
The NZeTA form only accepts Latin letters, so you must use the romanised name printed in your passport, not Hangul. Small differences in spelling, such as LEE versus YI or PARK versus BAK, will cause problems at check-in.
| Family name | Your surname, for example KIM, LEE or CHOI, exactly as in the passport. |
|---|---|
| Given names | Your given name as printed. Korean passports may show it as one word (MINJUN) or with a hyphen (MIN-JUN). Follow the machine-readable lines. |
| Name order | Put the surname in the family name field, even though Korean naming puts it first anyway. |
| Dates | Enter your date of birth and passport dates in the format the form asks for, using the Gregorian calendar. |
Your passport must be valid for at least 3 months after you leave New Zealand. If you renew it, your NZeTA does not carry over, so apply again with the new passport.
From Incheon to Auckland
South Korea is one of the few Asian countries with a direct link to New Zealand. Korean Air operates direct flights between Incheon and Auckland, taking about 11 to 12 hours, often overnight. Other travellers connect through Tokyo, Hong Kong, Singapore or Sydney, especially if they are heading to Christchurch or Queenstown.
New Zealand is 3 hours ahead of Korea in the southern winter and 4 hours ahead during New Zealand daylight saving. Remember that the seasons are reversed. Korean winter holidays in January fall in New Zealand's summer, while July and August are the ski season in the Southern Alps.
Students, holidaymakers and golfers
Korean visitors come to New Zealand for many reasons. Here is how the NZeTA applies to each:
Short-term students
English courses and school holiday programmes of up to 3 months can be done on an NZeTA. Anything longer needs a student visa.
Family visits
Parents and grandparents visiting relatives in Auckland or Christchurch can stay up to 90 days per visit.
Golf and touring
Golf trips, honeymoons and campervan holidays are all fine as visitor activities.
Young Koreans who want to work while they travel may be eligible for a working holiday visa. It is a separate application, and you cannot work on an NZeTA.
How to apply for an NZeTA from Korea
Open the application
Enter your email address and choose the purpose and processing speed.
Enter passport details
Use the romanised name from your passport. Add family members; up to 10 travellers fit in one application.
Answer the declarations
Questions about health, criminal record and immigration history.
Upload a photo
A clear, recent face photo with a light, plain background. A phone photo is fine.
Pay and submit
Pay by Visa, Mastercard or American Express. The IVL tourism levy is included.
Apply for an NZeTA from South Korea
Processing speeds
Allow up to 72 hours for a decision. You can choose:
Normal
48–72 hours. Best if you are flying more than a week from now.
Emergency or Rush
Emergency takes 24–48 hours and Rush 12–24 hours, for departures in the next few days.
Prices are on the NZeTA fees page. You can follow your application on the status page.
Arrival and food rules
A border officer makes the final decision on entry. Keep your return ticket, accommodation details and proof of funds ready, and complete the New Zealand Traveller Declaration before you land.
Declare Korean food. Beef jerky, dried meat, ramyeon with meat-based sachets, homemade kimchi and side dishes, fresh fruit, seeds, and ginseng or herbal medicines must be declared. Many will be refused. Declaring is free; not declaring can cost you an instant fine.
If you are joining a cruise that visits New Zealand, you need an NZeTA too. See our cruise guide or start your New Zealand eTA application now.
South Korea NZeTA FAQs
No. The Republic of Korea is a visa-waiver country. Korean passport holders can visit for up to 90 days but must have an approved NZeTA before departure.
Copy your given name exactly as it appears in the machine-readable lines of your passport. If the hyphen is not shown there, the name usually appears as one word. Consistency with the passport is what matters.
Yes, if the course lasts no longer than 3 months in total. For longer study you need a student visa.
No. Korean citizens aged 18 to 30 may be eligible for a working holiday visa, which is a separate application. An NZeTA does not allow work.
You must declare all food. Commercially packed kimchi and noodles may be allowed after inspection, but flavour sachets containing meat, homemade food and fresh produce are likely to be refused.
No. Only a valid passport is accepted. Your NZeTA is linked to your passport number.