Which document do you need?
Panama is a transit visa-waiver country for New Zealand. That status is narrower than full visa-waiver status. It lets you pass through Auckland on your way somewhere else, but it does not let you enter New Zealand by air. The table below matches common trips to the right document.
| Your trip | What you need |
|---|---|
| Flying via Auckland to Australia, the Pacific or Asia, connection under 24 hours | Transit NZeTA |
| Holiday, family visit or business trip in New Zealand | Visitor visa |
| Arriving in New Zealand on a cruise ship | NZeTA as a cruise visitor |
| Connection over 24 hours, or changing to another New Zealand airport | Visitor visa or transit visa |
| Studying for a full programme or working | Student visa or work visa |
The NZeTA has been mandatory for transit passengers since 1 October 2019. Airlines will not board you on a flight to Auckland without one.
The Auckland transit rules
Your transit NZeTA covers you only when all of the following are true:
- You land at and leave from Auckland International Airport
- You stay in the international transit area and do not go through passport control
- You leave New Zealand within 24 hours of arriving
- You hold a ticket to a third country and meet that country's entry requirements
These situations are not covered:
- Leaving the airport to sightsee or stay at a hotel in the city
- Flying on to Queenstown, Wellington or Christchurch
- Overnight connections that push you past the 24-hour limit
For more on what counts as transit, read our guide to transit through New Zealand.
Routes from Panama City
Tocumen International Airport is one of the busiest connecting hubs in Latin America, but there are no direct flights from Panama to New Zealand. Travellers heading to Australia or the South Pacific normally choose one of two kinds of route:
Through South America
A connection in a hub such as Santiago, then a long-haul flight across the Pacific to Auckland, with an onward flight to Australia or a Pacific island.
Through North America
A connection in a United States city such as Los Angeles, San Francisco or Houston, then on to Auckland. This needs the correct travel documents for the United States as well.
Check every stop. A New Zealand NZeTA only covers New Zealand. Each country you pass through, and your final destination, has its own rules. Ask your airline before you buy a ticket with several connections.
New Zealand is 17 to 18 hours ahead of Panama, so you can easily lose a calendar day on the way. Check the local arrival and departure dates on your ticket so your Auckland connection really is under 24 hours.
What to have ready
| Passport | A Panamanian passport valid for your entire trip. The cédula de identidad can't be used for this journey. |
|---|---|
| Name | Your full name as printed on the passport, including both surnames where shown. |
| Onward ticket | Proof of your flight out of Auckland to a third country. |
| Photo | A clear, recent photo of your face. A good phone photo is fine. |
| Card | A Visa, Mastercard or American Express card to pay online. |
Dual nationals should apply with the passport they will travel on. If your other passport is from a visa-waiver country, you may be able to visit New Zealand on that passport instead, but the NZeTA and your ticket must use the same passport.
How to apply
The application is in English and takes about 10 minutes. We check your answers before submission to reduce the chance of errors.
Choose transit
Select "Transit" as your type of travel and choose a processing speed.
Enter details
Add passport details for each traveller. Up to 10 people can go in one application.
Declare
Answer the health and character questions honestly.
Pay
Upload photos and pay by card. Transit passengers don't pay the IVL.
Processing takes up to 72 hours. Choose Normal (48–72 hours), Emergency (24–48 hours) or Rush (12–24 hours). See fees and processing options for prices.
Apply for your Panama transit NZeTA
Visiting, studying or working
If you want to see New Zealand itself, whether for a holiday, to visit relatives or for business meetings, you need to apply for a visitor visa with the New Zealand immigration authorities. It is a separate process from the NZeTA and usually asks for evidence such as your travel plans, funds and ties to Panama. Apply well before your trip.
The cruise route is the exception. If you join a cruise outside New Zealand and arrive in New Zealand by sea, you can apply for an NZeTA as a visitor. Our cruise passenger page explains how it works.
Still unsure? The NZeTA information page and general FAQs cover more scenarios, or you can start a transit NZeTA application now.
Panama NZeTA questions
Not if you only change planes at Auckland International Airport within 24 hours and stay in the transit area. You do need an approved NZeTA before you fly.
No. A transit NZeTA does not allow you to pass through immigration. If you want to leave the airport, even for a few hours, you need a visitor visa.
No. The cédula is a national identity card. International transit through New Zealand requires a valid Panamanian passport, and the NZeTA is linked to that passport.
Enter your surnames exactly as they appear on your passport, including both family names if both are printed. Your flight booking should use the same spelling.
Yes. Panamanian citizens arriving in New Zealand on a cruise ship can apply for an NZeTA as a visitor. Flying in to join a ship is different and needs a visitor visa.
Up to 2 years, or until your passport expires if that is sooner. You can use it for several transits through Auckland.