What is the NZeTA?
The NZeTA (New Zealand Electronic Travel Authority) is a digital travel authorisation. It lets citizens of visa-waiver and transit visa-waiver countries travel to New Zealand without applying for a visa in advance. It has been mandatory since 1 October 2019.
Think of it as a pre-travel check. Before you board, the New Zealand immigration authorities screen your passport details and your answers to a few health and character questions. If your NZeTA is approved, it is linked electronically to your passport. There is no sticker or stamp. Your airline or cruise line checks it automatically when you check in.
An NZeTA is not a visa. You can't use it to work, to settle in New Zealand or to stay longer than the visitor rules allow. It is designed for short trips: holidays, family visits, business meetings, short courses and transit.
About this website. We are a private online application service. We help you prepare and check your NZeTA application, then submit it on your behalf. The New Zealand immigration authorities make every decision.
Who needs an NZeTA
You must hold an approved NZeTA before you travel if any of these apply to you:
- You are a citizen of a visa-waiver country and you are flying to New Zealand for a holiday, a family visit, business or a short course.
- You are a citizen of a visa-waiver or transit visa-waiver country and you are passing through Auckland International Airport on the way to another country.
- You are arriving on a cruise ship, whatever your nationality. Cruise passengers of any nationality can apply for an NZeTA instead of a visa.
- You are an Australian permanent resident travelling on a passport from another country. You need an NZeTA but don't pay the IVL.
The rule applies to every traveller in your group, including babies and children. Each person needs their own NZeTA linked to their own passport. If you are travelling as a family, you can add up to 10 people to one NZeTA application on our website.
Who doesn't need an NZeTA
Some travellers are exempt. You don't need an NZeTA if you are:
- An Australian citizen travelling on an Australian passport
- A New Zealand citizen, including those travelling on a foreign passport with a New Zealand endorsement
- Someone who already holds a valid New Zealand visa, such as a visitor, work, student or resident visa
- A citizen of a country that is not on either the visa-waiver or the transit visa-waiver list. In this case you need a visa instead, unless you are arriving by cruise ship
There are also exemptions for some other groups, such as members of certain visiting forces and some diplomatic travellers. If you think one of these might apply to you, check with the New Zealand immigration authorities before you travel.
NZeTA eligible countries
There are two lists of eligible countries. Which list your country is on decides what you can do with an NZeTA.
| Your passport | Visit by air | Transit at Auckland | Arrive by cruise |
|---|---|---|---|
| Visa-waiver country (60 countries) | Yes, with NZeTA | Yes, with NZeTA | Yes, with NZeTA |
| Transit visa-waiver country (24 countries) | No, visitor visa needed | Yes, with NZeTA | Yes, with NZeTA |
| Any other country | No, visitor visa needed | No, transit visa needed | Yes, with NZeTA |
Visa-waiver countries
Citizens of these countries can visit New Zealand for tourism, business or study of up to 3 months, and can transit through Auckland, with an NZeTA. Select a country for its own guide.
Andorra
Argentina
Austria
Bahrain
Belgium
Brazil
Brunei
Bulgaria
Canada
Chile
Croatia
Cyprus
Czech Republic
Denmark
Estonia
Finland
France
Germany
Greece
Hong Kong
Hungary
Iceland
Ireland
Israel
Italy
Japan
Kuwait
Latvia
Liechtenstein
Lithuania
Luxembourg
Macau
Malaysia
Malta
Mauritius
Mexico
Monaco
Netherlands
Norway
Oman
Poland
Portugal
Qatar
Romania
San Marino
Saudi Arabia
Seychelles
Singapore
Slovakia
Slovenia
South Korea
Spain
Sweden
Switzerland
Taiwan
UAE
UK
United States
Uruguay
Vatican City
Transit visa-waiver countries
Citizens of these countries can use an NZeTA to transit through Auckland International Airport, or to arrive on a cruise ship. To visit New Zealand by air, they need a visitor visa.
Bahamas
Bermuda
Bolivia
Colombia
Costa Rica
Ecuador
Indonesia
Kiribati
Marshall Islands
Micronesia
Nauru
Palau
Panama
Papua New Guinea
Paraguay
Peru
Philippines
Samoa
Solomon Islands
Thailand
Tonga
Tuvalu
Vanuatu
Venezuela
It's your passport that counts. Eligibility depends on the nationality of the passport you travel on, not where you live. A British citizen living in Thailand follows the UK rules. A Thai citizen living in the UK follows the Thai rules.
What you need to apply
The NZeTA application takes most people about 10 minutes. Have these ready before you start:
| A valid passport | From an eligible country, valid for at least 3 months after you plan to leave New Zealand. |
|---|---|
| A recent photo | A clear colour photo of your face. You can take one with your phone. See the photo rules below. |
| An email address | Your updates and your NZeTA decision are sent here. Check it is typed correctly. |
| A payment card | A debit or credit card to pay the application fee, which includes the IVL where it applies. |
| Basic trip details | Your reason for travel (visit or transit) and whether you are arriving by air or cruise ship. |
You will also answer a few yes or no questions about your health and character, such as previous criminal convictions or deportations. Answer honestly. A "yes" answer doesn't always mean you will be refused, but a false answer can lead to a refused NZeTA and problems on future trips.
Passport rules
Your passport is the single most important part of your NZeTA application. Most delays happen because of passport mistakes.
- Validity: your passport must be valid for at least 3 months after the date you intend to leave New Zealand.
- Same passport throughout: apply with the passport you will travel on, and carry that passport. The NZeTA is linked to that document only.
- Machine-readable passport: use an ordinary passport book. National ID cards are not accepted for travel to New Zealand, even where they are accepted within Europe or the Gulf.
- Exact details: enter your names, passport number, nationality and dates exactly as printed. Copy the family name from the passport's machine-readable zone if you have more than one surname.
- New passport, new NZeTA: if your passport is renewed, lost or stolen, you must apply for a new NZeTA with the new passport.
Emergency or temporary passports may not be accepted by airlines for this route. If you are travelling on one, check with your airline before you apply.
Photo rules
Every application needs a photo of the traveller's face. A good photo helps your application move quickly. A poor one is the most common reason we ask applicants to try again.
Do
- Use a recent colour photo that looks like you today
- Face the camera with a neutral expression and eyes open
- Stand against a plain, light-coloured background
- Make sure your whole face is in focus and evenly lit
- Remove glasses if they cause glare
Don't
- Wear sunglasses, hats or anything covering your face (religious head coverings are fine if your face is visible)
- Use filters, editing or beauty apps
- Upload a photo of a printed photo or a passport page
- Include other people, shadows or busy backgrounds
- Crop off the top of your head or your chin
Children need their own photo. For babies, lay them on a plain white sheet and take the photo from above. Their eyes don't have to be fully open.
Validity and length of stay
Two separate time limits apply, and it helps to keep them apart:
How long the NZeTA lasts: up to 2 years
Your NZeTA is valid for up to 2 years from approval, or until your passport expires if that is sooner. You can use it for as many trips as you like during that time.
How long each visit lasts: up to 90 days
Each time you arrive, you can usually stay for up to 90 days. British citizens can stay for up to 6 months per visit. The border officer confirms your permitted stay on arrival.
There is no renewal process. When your NZeTA expires, simply submit a new application before your next trip. If you want to stay longer than your visit allows, you must apply for a visa from within New Zealand before your permitted stay ends.
The IVL tourism levy explained
The International Visitor Conservation and Tourism Levy (IVL) is a charge paid by most international visitors. It helps fund tourism infrastructure and protect the natural environment that visitors come to see. It is collected at the same time as your NZeTA application, so you don't pay it separately.
| Traveller | Needs NZeTA? | Pays IVL? |
|---|---|---|
| Visitor from a visa-waiver country | Yes | Yes |
| Cruise passenger | Yes | Yes, in most cases |
| Transit passenger at Auckland | Yes | No |
| Australian permanent resident | Yes | No |
| Australian citizen | No | No |
Our application form adds the IVL automatically where it applies. You can see the full cost, including the processing option you choose, on our NZeTA fees page.
How to apply for an NZeTA online
Check your eligibility
Find your nationality in the lists above and confirm what you can use the NZeTA for.
Complete the form
Enter your contact details, your reason for travel and each traveller's passport details. You can add up to 10 travellers.
Upload photos and answer the questions
Add a photo for each person and answer the health and character questions.
Choose your speed and pay
Pick Normal (48–72 hours), Emergency (24–48 hours) or Rush (12–24 hours), then pay by card.
Get your decision by email
We check your application for errors before it is submitted. You can follow its progress on our status page.
Ready to apply for your NZeTA?
Most applications take about 10 minutes to complete. Your NZeTA can then be used for multiple trips over up to 2 years.
What happens at the border
An approved NZeTA lets you board your flight or ship. It doesn't guarantee entry. When you arrive, a border officer checks that you meet the entry requirements and decides how long you can stay. Keep these with you, not in your checked bag:
- The passport you used for your NZeTA
- A return or onward ticket to a country you are allowed to enter
- Proof of sufficient funds for your stay, such as bank cards or a recent statement
- Details of where you will stay, such as a hotel booking or your host's address
Many eligible passport holders can use eGate kiosks at the main airports. Children and some travellers are directed to a staffed desk instead.
Biosecurity is strict. New Zealand protects its farming and native wildlife closely. Declare all food, plants, seeds, animal products, and outdoor equipment like hiking boots and tents. If in doubt, declare it. Undeclared risk items can lead to an instant fine.
The New Zealand Traveller Declaration
The New Zealand Traveller Declaration (NZTD) is a separate arrival declaration. It replaces the old paper arrival card and covers customs, biosecurity and immigration questions. It is not part of the NZeTA, and having an NZeTA doesn't mean you have completed it.
Most travellers complete the NZTD online or in the app shortly before travelling. It is free. You will need your passport, your flight or voyage details and your New Zealand address. If you are arriving by cruise ship, follow your cruise line's instructions about arrival declarations.
If your NZeTA is refused
Most NZeTA applications are approved. A small number are refused, usually because of a character issue, a previous immigration problem, or details that don't match the passport. If yours is refused:
- Check for mistakes first. A typing error in a passport number can cause problems. Contact us and we will explain what you can do.
- Apply for a visa instead. A refused NZeTA doesn't stop you applying for a visitor visa. A visa application lets you explain your circumstances and provide supporting documents.
- Don't travel without approval. Your airline will not let you board without an approved NZeTA or a valid visa.
If you are not from an eligible country, you can't get an NZeTA for air travel. The alternative is a visitor visa or transit visa, which is a separate process handled directly by the New Zealand immigration authorities.
NZeTA information: frequently asked questions
NZeTA stands for New Zealand Electronic Travel Authority. It is a digital travel permission linked to your passport, not a visa, and it lets eligible travellers board a flight or cruise ship to New Zealand.
No. A visa is a separate, longer application for people who are not covered by the visa-waiver or transit visa-waiver rules. The NZeTA is a short online pre-travel check for people who are already allowed to visit or transit without a visa.
Allow up to 72 hours. Many applications are decided sooner, but applying a week or more before you fly gives you time to fix any problems.
Yes. You don't need to book flights before applying, and you can apply after booking. What matters is that your NZeTA is approved before you check in.
Yes. Every traveller needs their own NZeTA, whatever their age. A parent or guardian can complete the application, and our form lets you add up to 10 travellers in one go.
Use the passport you will travel on. The NZeTA is linked electronically to that passport, so you must show the same one to the airline and at the New Zealand border.
It no longer applies. An NZeTA can't be moved to a new passport, so you need to apply for a new one before your next trip.
No. An NZeTA only covers tourism, visiting friends and family, business visitor activities, transit and short study of up to 3 months. Paid or unpaid work needs a work visa.
Yes. Australian permanent residents need an NZeTA, but they don't pay the IVL. Australian citizens don't need an NZeTA at all.
No. It allows you to travel, but a border officer makes the final decision when you arrive. Carry your onward ticket, proof of funds and accommodation details.
Yes. The NZeTA allows multiple visits while it is valid, as long as each stay follows the visitor rules and your passport stays valid.
Yes, if you are from a visa-waiver or transit visa-waiver country. You also need to stay in the transit area and leave within 24 hours. Read our Auckland transit guide for details.
Still have a question? Browse the full NZeTA FAQ, or read our guides for tourists, business visitors and cruise passengers.