Colombia on New Zealand's Transit Visa Waiver List
Colombia is located in the northwest of South America, bordering Venezuela, Brazil, Peru, Ecuador, and Panama. Colombian cities serve as major international aviation hubs for South America, with Colombian travellers frequently routing through Auckland International Airport on long-haul journeys to Australia, Asia, and Pacific Island destinations. Colombia is included on New Zealand's transit visa waiver list, meaning Colombian citizens are not required to hold a traditional transit visa to pass through a New Zealand airport. However, since 1 October 2019, an NZeTA (New Zealand Electronic Travel Authority) is mandatory for all Colombian citizens transiting New Zealand and must be approved online before departure.
What the Transit Visa Waiver Means for Colombian Citizens
New Zealand's transit visa waiver exempts Colombian citizens from the requirement to obtain a traditional transit visa when passing through a New Zealand airport en route to a third destination. Without this waiver, Colombian travellers would need a formal transit visa for every connection through New Zealand. Since October 2019, the NZeTA has replaced the old process. It is an electronic pre-travel authorisation linked to your Colombian passport number, verified automatically by airlines at check-in and by New Zealand border officers. No physical transit document is required beyond your passport.
Transit NZeTA vs New Zealand Visitor Visa — What Colombian Citizens Must Know
Colombian citizens must understand the clear distinction between a transit NZeTA and a New Zealand visitor visa:
- Transit NZeTA: Allows Colombian citizens to pass through a New Zealand airport on the way to a third destination. Transit purposes only — does not allow entry into New Zealand for tourism, business meetings, family visits, or any extended stay.
- New Zealand Visitor Visa: Required if you wish to enter New Zealand for tourism, business, or family visits. Must be applied for separately through Immigration New Zealand before departing Colombia.
Colombian citizens cannot enter New Zealand for tourism or business on a transit NZeTA. Any intended activity in New Zealand beyond the transit connection requires a visitor visa.
When Colombian Citizens Need a Transit NZeTA
You must hold an approved NZeTA before transiting any New Zealand airport as a Colombian passport holder if:
- Your flight route includes a connection or layover at Auckland, Christchurch, Wellington, or any other New Zealand international airport.
- You are travelling onward to Australia, Asia, Pacific Island nations, or any other third-country destination via a New Zealand connecting flight.
- Your airline requires NZeTA verification at check-in before boarding a flight transiting New Zealand.
The NZeTA is required whether you remain in the airside transit zone or clear New Zealand immigration during a longer layover connection.
How to Apply for a New Zealand Transit NZeTA from Colombia
- Open the application — Visit our NZeTA application page and select Colombia as your passport country.
- Enter your passport details — Full name, Colombian passport number, date of birth, and planned transit dates must exactly match your passport.
- Upload your photograph — A recent colour passport-size photo with white background and full face clearly visible.
- Pay the combined fee — The NZeTA service fee and International Visitor Conservation and Tourism Levy (IVL) are paid in one secure online card transaction.
- Receive your NZeTA — Approval arrives by email within 48–72 hours. Save a digital or printed copy to carry while travelling.
Apply at least 5–6 business days before your scheduled departure from Colombia. Review the terms and conditions before submitting.
Documents Required for Colombia Transit NZeTA
- Valid Colombian passport — at least 6 months of remaining validity beyond your transit date, with at least one blank page.
- Confirmed onward travel ticket to your final destination beyond New Zealand.
- Recent passport-size colour photograph (white background, full face visible).
- Valid email address to receive the approved NZeTA.
- Debit or credit card for the combined NZeTA and IVL payment.
Transit NZeTA Validity — Reusable for All New Zealand Transits
The NZeTA issued for your Colombian passport is valid for 2 years from the date of approval and covers multiple transit journeys through New Zealand within that period. You do not need to reapply for each transit — the same NZeTA is used automatically every time you transit New Zealand within the 2-year window. If you renew your Colombian passport, a new NZeTA must be applied for using the new passport details before your next New Zealand transit, as the authorisation is bound to the specific passport number.
Frequently Asked Questions
Colombian citizens are on New Zealand's transit visa waiver list, meaning no traditional transit visa is required to pass through a New Zealand airport. However, an NZeTA is mandatory since 1 October 2019 for all Colombian transit passengers. The NZeTA must be obtained online before departure — it is not available at any New Zealand airport.
No. The NZeTA for Colombian citizens authorises transit through New Zealand airports only. It does not permit entry into New Zealand for tourism, business, or any extended stay. If a Colombian citizen wishes to visit New Zealand, a separate New Zealand visitor visa must be applied for through Immigration New Zealand before departing Colombia.
Yes. Colombian citizens whose flight routes include a connection at Auckland International Airport on the way to Australia or any other third-country destination can transit New Zealand without a traditional transit visa. A valid NZeTA must be obtained online before departure. The NZeTA is required regardless of whether you remain airside or clear immigration during the layover.
The application is entirely online. Select Colombia as your passport country, enter your personal and passport details, upload a recent passport-size photograph, and pay the combined NZeTA and IVL fee in a single secure card transaction. Approval is sent by email within 48–72 hours. Apply at least 5–6 business days before departure from Colombia.
Yes. Colombian citizens transiting New Zealand must hold a confirmed onward travel ticket to their final destination beyond New Zealand. This is verified by the airline at check-in and by New Zealand border officers. Colombian citizens without a confirmed onward ticket may be denied boarding or refused transit entry into New Zealand.