New Zealand Transit NZeTA for Costa Rica Citizens

Transit Visa Waiver — NZeTA required for all transit through New Zealand airports

Apply NZeTA Transit — Costa Rica

Costa Rica on New Zealand's Transit Visa Waiver List

Costa Rica is a Central American nation renowned for its biodiversity and strong international connectivity. Costa Rican citizens heading to Australia, Asia, or Pacific Island destinations often route through Auckland International Airport on long-haul journeys. Costa Rica is included on New Zealand's transit visa waiver list, meaning Costa Rican 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 Costa Rican citizens transiting New Zealand and must be approved online before departure.

Costa Rica Country Flag Image | New Zealand Transit NZeTA for Costa Rica Citizens

What the Transit Visa Waiver Means for Costa Rican Citizens

New Zealand's transit visa waiver exempts Costa Rican 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, Costa Rican 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 Costa Rican 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 Costa Rican Citizens Must Know

Costa Rican citizens must understand the clear distinction between a transit NZeTA and a New Zealand visitor visa:

  • Transit NZeTA: Allows Costa Rican 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 Costa Rica.

Costa Rican 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 Costa Rican Citizens Need a Transit NZeTA

You must hold an approved NZeTA before transiting any New Zealand airport as a Costa Rican 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 Costa Rica

  1. Open the application — Visit our NZeTA application page and select Costa Rica as your passport country.
  2. Enter your passport details — Full name, Costa Rican passport number, date of birth, and planned transit dates must exactly match your passport.
  3. Upload your photograph — A recent colour passport-size photo with white background and full face clearly visible.
  4. Pay the combined fee — The NZeTA service fee and International Visitor Conservation and Tourism Levy (IVL) are paid in one secure online card transaction.
  5. 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 Costa Rica. Review the terms and conditions before submitting.

Documents Required for Costa Rica Transit NZeTA

  • Valid Costa Rican 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 Costa Rican 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 Costa Rican 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

Costa Rican 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 Costa Rican transit passengers. The NZeTA must be obtained online before departure — it is not available at any New Zealand airport.

No. The NZeTA for Costa Rican 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 Costa Rican citizen wishes to visit New Zealand, a separate New Zealand visitor visa must be applied for through Immigration New Zealand before departing Costa Rica.

No. The transit NZeTA does not authorise Costa Rican citizens to attend business meetings, conferences, or any other activities that require entering New Zealand. Costa Rican citizens who need to conduct business in New Zealand must apply for a New Zealand visitor visa through Immigration New Zealand before departing Costa Rica.

The application is entirely online. Select Costa Rica 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 Costa Rica.

Costa Rican citizens transiting New Zealand must hold a valid Costa Rican passport with at least 6 months of remaining validity, an approved NZeTA linked to that passport, and a confirmed onward travel ticket to their final destination beyond New Zealand. These are verified by the airline at check-in and by New Zealand border officers. Costa Rican citizens without confirmed onward travel may be denied boarding or refused transit entry.