The rules for Icelandic travellers
Iceland and New Zealand have a lot in common: volcanoes, hot springs, glaciers and small, outdoor-loving populations. Icelandic citizens can also visit New Zealand without a visa. The one thing you must do before you go is get an NZeTA (New Zealand Electronic Travel Authority).
The NZeTA has been required since October 2019 for travellers from all visa-waiver countries, including Iceland. You apply online, the New Zealand immigration authorities check your details, and the approval is linked electronically to your passport. Airlines check it when you check in, so you need it before your first flight leaves Keflavík.
Good news for repeat visitors: one NZeTA can be used for up to two years. If you come back to New Zealand for another hiking season, you won't need to apply again unless your passport has changed.
Patronymic names and Icelandic letters
Most Icelanders don't have a family name in the usual sense. Instead, you carry a patronymic or matronymic, such as Guðmundsdóttir or Sigurðsson. International forms, including the NZeTA, still ask for a "family name". The answer is simple: use whatever your passport shows as your surname.
| On your passport | Given names field | Family name field |
|---|---|---|
| Anna Sif Jónsdóttir | ANNA SIF | JONSDOTTIR |
| Þór Sigurðsson | THOR | SIGURDSSON |
These examples show how Icelandic letters usually appear in the machine-readable zone: þ becomes TH, ð becomes D, æ becomes AE, and accents are removed. Always check your own passport, because the machine-readable lines are what airline and border systems read.
Because patronymics follow the parent's first name, members of the same Icelandic family usually have different surnames. A mother, father and two children might have four different family names. That is completely normal. Enter each person's surname from their own passport, and book flights with the same spellings, because airline systems compare your ticket, your passport and your NZeTA.
Routes from Keflavík to New Zealand
There are two common ways to reach New Zealand from Iceland:
East via Europe and Asia
Fly to London, Copenhagen or another European city, then connect via the Gulf or Singapore to Auckland or Christchurch.
West via North America
Fly to a North American city, then take a Pacific flight to Auckland. You may need a US ESTA or Canadian eTA for the connection.
Either way, expect a long journey of more than 30 hours. The seasons are reversed: Icelandic midwinter in December is high summer in New Zealand, which is ideal for tramping and road trips. Visitors who love Icelandic geothermal areas often head for Rotorua and Taupō.
What you need to apply
- An Icelandic passport that will still be valid 3 months after you leave New Zealand (your ID card is not accepted)
- A clear, recent photo of your face against a plain background
- A payment card
- An email address to receive your NZeTA decision
If you have dual nationality, for example Icelandic and Danish or American, apply with the passport you will travel on. Australian citizens travelling on an Australian passport don't need an NZeTA at all.
How to apply from Iceland
Fill in the form
Add your contact details and up to 10 travellers in one application.
Answer the questions
Short health and character questions for each person.
Add a photo
Upload a photo for each traveller. Phone photos are fine.
Pay
Pay by card. The fee includes the IVL tourism levy.
Apply for your NZeTA from Iceland
Allow up to 72 hours for a decision. You can choose Normal (48–72 hours), Emergency (24–48 hours) or Rush (12–24 hours) processing. Current prices are on our NZeTA fees page.
If you are travelling with children, each child needs their own passport and their own NZeTA. You can add up to 10 people to one application, which makes it easy for families and hiking groups to apply together. After you submit, you can check your application status online at any time.
The limits of an NZeTA
The NZeTA is designed for short visits. It covers tourism, visiting friends and family, business meetings and conferences, and study of up to 3 months. It does not allow you to:
- Work in New Zealand, including seasonal work on farms or in ski fields
- Stay more than 90 days on a single visit
- Travel to New Zealand for medical treatment
For longer stays, look at the visitor visa options. If you are arriving on a cruise ship, you also need an NZeTA; our cruise page explains how it works.
Icelanders working in the tourism or outdoor industries sometimes ask whether they can help out at a lodge or guiding company in exchange for accommodation. That counts as work, so it is not allowed on an NZeTA.
Landing in New Zealand
At the airport, a border officer checks your passport and decides whether to let you in. Have a return or onward ticket, proof of funds and your accommodation details ready. Complete the New Zealand Traveller Declaration before you arrive.
Biosecurity check: declare dried fish, smoked lamb, skyr and other dairy products, honey and anything containing meat. Clean your hiking boots and tent before you pack them, because soil and seeds are also checked.
Common questions from Icelanders
No. Iceland is a visa-waiver country, so Icelandic citizens can visit for up to 90 days. You must have an approved NZeTA before you travel.
Enter your patronymic or matronymic, such as Jónsdóttir or Helgason, in the family name field, exactly as it appears in your passport's machine-readable lines. Enter your first and middle names in the given names field.
Use the spelling from the machine-readable zone of your passport, where these letters are converted into plain Latin letters. Copy that version rather than guessing.
No. Icelandic identity cards are for travel in Europe only. You need a valid Icelandic passport.
Yes. If you connect in the US, you usually need US travel authorisation (ESTA) as well as your NZeTA. Check the rules for every country on your route.
Yes. Your NZeTA can be valid for up to 2 years, or until your passport expires, and you can use it for multiple visits of up to 90 days each.
Start your New Zealand adventure
Complete your NZeTA application in about 10 minutes.