NZeTA Visa – Frequently Asked Questions

The NZeTA (New Zealand Electronic Travel Authority) is a mandatory pre-travel authorisation for eligible visitors to New Zealand. It is an electronic document linked to your passport — you do not receive a physical visa. It is required for tourists, business travellers, and transit passengers from 60+ visa-waiver countries.

An NZeTA gives you permission to travel to New Zealand. However, the New Zealand Government always reserves the right to deny entry to any traveller at the border, without giving a reason. In practice, this rarely happens for eligible NZeTA holders.

A multiple-entry NZeTA allows you to visit New Zealand multiple times within the 2-year validity period. A double-entry NZeTA permits two entries, and a single-entry NZeTA permits one entry only. The standard NZeTA issued is multiple-entry.

Yes. If you have the required passport and personal information, you can apply for an NZeTA on behalf of another person.

Yes. During the application process, you can add multiple travellers using the "Add Traveller" button at the bottom of the application form. Each traveller's NZeTA is linked to their individual passport.

Yes. All travellers, including infants and children, require their own individual NZeTA to enter New Zealand. A parent or guardian can complete the NZeTA application on behalf of a minor using the child's own passport details.

Yes. Australian permanent residents must apply for an NZeTA before travelling to New Zealand. However, they are exempt from paying the IVL (International Visitor Conservation and Tourism Levy). Australian citizens are fully exempt from both the NZeTA and IVL.

Most NZeTA applications are approved within 24–72 hours. In some cases, processing may take up to 7 working days. We recommend applying at least 72 hours before your departure date. Rush and Emergency processing options are available for faster approval.

Your NZeTA approval will be sent to the email address you provided on the application form. The NZeTA is also electronically linked to your passport number, so no physical document needs to be carried, though keeping a copy is recommended.

Once submitted, your application cannot be changed. If there is an error in your application details, you will need to submit a new NZeTA application. Please review all information carefully before confirming your submission.

No. Once your application has been submitted to the New Zealand Government, it cannot be cancelled. The payment is non-refundable at this stage. Please see our Refund Policy for full details.

No. Government agencies maintain their own fixed assessment timelines and cannot prioritise individual applications. However, our Rush and Emergency processing options submit your application faster to minimise delays.

You can check your NZeTA application status online using your application reference number. Visit our NZeTA status check page and enter your reference number and email address to view the current status of your application.

First, check your spam or junk mail folder. If the email is not there, log in to check your NZeTA application status online. If your application is approved but you still haven't received the email, contact our support team at visa@nzeta-visa.org with your reference number.

If your NZeTA is declined, Immigration New Zealand will notify you of the outcome. You may need to apply for a standard New Zealand Visitor Visa through the NZ embassy or consulate instead. Common reasons for refusal include criminal history, incomplete information, or not meeting eligibility criteria. Fees are non-refundable regardless of the outcome.

Common reasons an NZeTA may be declined include: criminal convictions, previous deportation or removal from any country, health concerns, incomplete or incorrect application information, expired or invalid passport, or travelling from a non-eligible country. Ensuring your application is accurate and complete reduces the risk of refusal.

No. Your NZeTA is linked to your specific passport number. If you are getting a new passport before travelling, you must wait until you have your new passport details before applying. Applying with an expiring passport that won't be used for travel is not valid.

You can apply using whichever eligible passport you intend to travel with. It is essential that the passport you use for the NZeTA application is the same passport you travel with to New Zealand. The information on both must match exactly.

No. An NZeTA can only be applied for using a valid national passport. Refugee travel documents and alien passports are not accepted. We recommend contacting the New Zealand embassy or consulate for guidance on the appropriate visa for your situation.

There is no renewal process for the NZeTA. Once your NZeTA expires (after 2 years), or if you receive a new passport, you must submit a new NZeTA application through our website.

Yes. US citizens are eligible for the NZeTA and can visit New Zealand for up to 90 days per stay for tourism, business, or transit. Apply online at least 72 hours before departure. See our NZeTA for US citizens page for full details.

UK citizens can stay in New Zealand for up to 6 months per visit with a valid NZeTA — longer than the standard 90 days permitted for most other nationalities. The NZeTA is valid for 2 years with multiple entries. See our NZeTA for UK citizens page.

Your NZeTA application requires a passport-style photo that meets the following criteria: face clearly visible, plain white or light background, no sunglasses or head coverings (unless for religious reasons), file size under 5 MB, and format JPG or JPEG. The photo must be recent and unedited.

The NZeTA cost depends on the processing speed you choose — Standard, Emergency or Rush. All prices include the New Zealand Government fee, IVL levy, and our service fee. See the full NZeTA fees breakdown for current pricing.

You can pay using a Visa or Mastercard credit or debit card, or via other secure online payment methods available at checkout. All transactions are processed over a secure SSL-encrypted connection.

Payment is required at the time of submitting your NZeTA application. Your application will not be forwarded to Immigration New Zealand until payment is received and confirmed.

No. All fees are non-refundable once your application has been submitted to Immigration New Zealand, regardless of the outcome. The New Zealand Government fee and IVL cannot be recovered in any circumstance. Please review our Refund Policy.

Yes. You can request a payment invoice by contacting our support team at visa@nzeta-visa.org with your application reference number. We will send the invoice to your registered email address.

No. Your NZeTA is electronically linked to your passport. You do not need to carry a printed copy. However, we recommend keeping a digital or printed copy of your approval email in case of any issues during check-in or at the border.

Yes. If you choose to carry a printed copy, printing in black and white is acceptable. Ensure all text and details are clearly legible.

Your NZeTA is valid for 2 years from the date of approval, or until your passport expires — whichever comes first. During this period, it allows multiple entries to New Zealand, with each stay up to 90 days (6 months for UK citizens).

No. The NZeTA does not permit employment or paid work in New Zealand. It is valid for tourism, business visits, transit, and short stays only. If you wish to work in New Zealand, you must apply for an appropriate work visa or Working Holiday Visa through Immigration New Zealand.

The NZeTA cannot be extended. If you need to stay longer than 90 days (or 6 months for UK citizens), you must apply for a New Zealand Visitor Visa through Immigration New Zealand before your current authorisation expires. Overstaying can result in deportation and future entry bans.

Yes. Travellers from visa-waiver countries transiting through Auckland International Airport require an NZeTA transit visa. Travellers from non-visa-waiver countries need a standard New Zealand Transit Visa. Without the correct authorisation, you may only remain in the airport's restricted transit area. See our transit visa page for details.

Yes. Our website uses SSL/TLS encryption to protect all data transmitted during your application. Your personal data is used solely to process your NZeTA and is shared only with Immigration New Zealand as required. We do not sell or share your data with third-party marketers. For full details, see our Privacy Policy.