NZeTA for Malaysians explained
Malaysian citizens have been able to visit New Zealand without a visa for many years. Since 1 October 2019, however, Malaysians travelling under the visa waiver must hold a New Zealand Electronic Travel Authority (NZeTA). It is a quick online approval, checked by your airline at check-in and by border officers when you arrive.
One approved NZeTA can be used for repeat trips over up to two years. That suits Malaysians who visit family in New Zealand regularly, or who travel there for business several times a year.
Travelling as a family? Add up to 10 people to one application. Every traveller, including infants, receives their own NZeTA linked to their own passport.
Before you start
Gather these before you open the NZeTA application form:
| Malaysian passport | Valid for at least 3 months after you leave New Zealand. MyKad is not accepted. |
|---|---|
| Photo | A recent colour photo. A headscarf worn for religious reasons is fine, as long as your full face is clearly visible. |
| Card for payment | A Visa, Mastercard or American Express card that can be used for online payments abroad. |
| Your NZeTA approval and any questions are sent by email. |
Entering Malaysian names
Malaysian names follow different conventions, and the form uses a "given names" and "family name" layout. The safest approach is to copy the name exactly as printed in your passport, especially the machine-readable lines at the bottom of the photo page.
- Malay names: include patronymics such as bin or binti if your passport shows them
- Chinese Malaysian names: use the dialect romanisation in the passport, such as Hokkien or Cantonese, and add an English name only if it is printed
- Indian Malaysian names: include a/l or a/p and the father's name if shown in the passport
- Single names: if your passport has only one name, follow the form's instructions for a single name
A mismatch between your NZeTA and passport can cause problems at check-in, so double-check before you pay.
How to apply online
Open the form and enter your contact details
Choose "Visit" as your reason for travel, or "Transit" if you are only changing planes at Auckland.
Add passport details for every traveller
Passport number, nationality, date of birth, issue and expiry dates.
Answer the declaration questions
Simple questions about your health, character and previous travel. Answer honestly.
Upload photos, review and pay
Check every detail, then pay by card. The visitor fee includes the IVL tourism levy.
Apply for a New Zealand eTA from Malaysia
Choosing a processing speed
Allow up to 72 hours for a decision. If you are flying soon, choose a faster option:
Normal: 48–72 hours
Ideal if your trip is more than a week away.
Emergency or rush
Emergency takes 24–48 hours and rush takes 12–24 hours.
Compare prices on our NZeTA fees page. You can check progress any time on the application status page.
Students, families and business
Malaysians travel to New Zealand for many reasons. Here is how the NZeTA fits each one:
- Holidays: self-drive tours, Rotorua, Queenstown, Milford Sound and the Southern Alps
- Family visits: many Malaysians have relatives or children studying in New Zealand
- Short courses: study for up to 3 months is allowed on an NZeTA. Longer study needs a student visa
- Business: meetings, conferences and trade fairs, but not hands-on work. See our business visitor guide
Want to work and travel? Malaysian citizens aged 18 to 30 may be eligible for New Zealand's Malaysia Working Holiday Visa. This is a separate visa with its own conditions. An NZeTA does not allow any work.
Flights from Malaysia
Most travellers leave from Kuala Lumpur International Airport. Depending on the season and airline, routes may be nonstop or connect via Singapore, Sydney, Melbourne or Brisbane. If you connect in Australia and leave the airport, you need separate Australian travel authority, because your NZeTA covers New Zealand only.
New Zealand is 4 to 5 hours ahead of Malaysia. The seasons are reversed from the northern hemisphere: summer in New Zealand runs from December to February, and winter, with snow in the South Island, from June to August. If you are travelling from tropical Malaysia in winter, pack warm layers.
Arrival and biosecurity
The border officer makes the final decision on whether you can enter. Have your passport, return ticket, accommodation details and proof of funds ready. Complete the New Zealand Traveller Declaration before your flight lands.
Declare all food. Common items from Malaysia that must be declared include fresh fruit, rice, spices, dried anchovies (ikan bilis), meat floss, bak kwa, sambal, kuih and herbal remedies. Fines apply for undeclared items.
FAQs for Malaysian travellers
No. Malaysian passport holders can visit New Zealand for up to 90 days without a visa, but they must have an approved NZeTA before travelling.
No. MyKad is a national identity card and is not accepted for international travel to New Zealand. You need a valid Malaysian passport.
Copy your name exactly as it is printed in your passport's machine-readable zone. If your passport shows bin, binti, a/l or a/p, include them as shown.
Yes. Visiting family, including children on a student visa, is a normal visitor activity. Each visit can last up to 90 days.
No. Work is not allowed on an NZeTA. Malaysian citizens aged 18 to 30 may be eligible for a Working Holiday Visa, which is a separate application.
You must declare all food. Many items, especially fresh fruit, meat products and some dried foods, may be refused. If you don't declare them, you risk a fine.