The short answer for Tuvaluan travellers
If you are a citizen of Tuvalu and you are only changing planes in Auckland on the way to another country, you don't need a visa. You need an approved NZeTA. If you want to spend time in New Zealand after flying in, you need a visitor visa instead.
New Zealand introduced the NZeTA on 1 October 2019. It applies to citizens of visa-waiver countries, citizens of transit visa-waiver countries such as Tuvalu, and every cruise passenger. Airlines must check it before boarding, so missing it can stop your journey before it starts, even if you are only connecting.
Routes from Funafuti
Tuvalu is one of the most remote countries in the Pacific, and nearly all international journeys begin with a flight from Funafuti International Airport to Fiji. From Nadi or Suva, travellers continue to Auckland, Brisbane, Sydney or other regional hubs. Because flights to Funafuti are limited, many Tuvaluans plan connections carefully and leave extra time.
You may pass through Auckland if your final destination is further away, for example a city in Australia, Asia or North America that is easier to reach from New Zealand. In that case Auckland becomes a transit point and the NZeTA rules apply. If your route goes through Fiji and then directly to Australia, New Zealand's rules don't apply to that trip.
Many Tuvaluans also have family in New Zealand, especially in Auckland. Remember that transit through Auckland doesn't include time to visit them landside.
Transit rules at Auckland
| Airport | Auckland International Airport only. Arrive and depart from the same airport. |
|---|---|
| Time limit | Up to 24 hours in the international transit area. |
| Immigration | You don't pass through immigration control and can't leave the airport. |
| Onward ticket | A confirmed ticket to a third country is required. |
| Next country | You need any visa or entry permission for your final destination. |
| IVL levy | Not charged for transit passengers. |
Check that your airline will transfer your bags through to your final destination. If you must collect your luggage and check in again, you would need to pass through immigration, which a transit NZeTA doesn't allow. Read our guide to transit through New Zealand for more help.
If you want to stay in New Zealand
Some trips start as a transit and turn into a visit, for example if you want to stop in Auckland for a few days to see relatives. As a Tuvaluan citizen arriving by air, you need a New Zealand visitor visa for that. The visitor visa is a separate application, assessed by the New Zealand immigration authorities, and it usually takes longer than an NZeTA. Apply for it well before you travel.
- A transit NZeTA can't be upgraded to a visit at the airport.
- You can't leave the airport during a long layover, even with a hotel booking.
- You can't work or study in New Zealand on an NZeTA.
Our tourist visa overview explains the difference between an NZeTA and a visa.
Travelling by cruise ship
The rules are different at sea. All cruise passengers need an NZeTA, so Tuvaluan citizens arriving on a cruise ship can apply for an NZeTA as visitors instead of applying for a visitor visa. When you fill in the form, select "Visit" as the type. You will usually need to fly to the cruise's departure port, so check the entry rules for that country too. See our cruise passenger page for details.
Applying online
You can apply on a phone or computer, and a family member can help you fill in the form. Internet in Tuvalu can be slow, so you may find it easier to apply on a good connection or ask a relative to help.
Select "Transit"
Choose the transit type and a processing speed: Normal (48–72 hours), Emergency (24–48 hours) or Rush (12–24 hours).
Enter your details
Fill in your contact information and passport details. You can add up to 10 travellers.
Add photos and answer questions
Upload a photo for each traveller and answer the health and character questions.
Pay and wait for your decision
Pay by card. We email you when the decision is made.
Apply for a transit NZeTA from Tuvalu
Prices for each speed are shown on our fees page. Allow up to 72 hours, and apply before you leave Funafuti, because you may not have time once you reach Fiji.
Passport and photo tips
- Your Tuvalu passport should be valid for at least 3 months after you leave New Zealand.
- Type your names exactly as they appear in the passport, in the same order.
- Each traveller, including children, needs their own NZeTA.
- Take the photo in daylight, facing a plain wall, with no hat or sunglasses.
- Save your approval email on your phone and keep a printed copy for check-in.
Everything ready? Start your NZeTA application and you can track it on the status page.
Your questions answered
No transit visa is needed, because Tuvalu is a transit visa-waiver country. You must hold an approved NZeTA before your flight to Auckland.
Only if arriving on a cruise ship. If you fly in and want to leave the airport, you need a New Zealand visitor visa, which is a separate application.
Yes, as long as the total time is under 24 hours, you stay in the international transit area and both flights use Auckland International Airport.
No. An NZeTA is valid for up to 2 years, or until your passport expires, and covers multiple transits. A new passport needs a new NZeTA.
No. Transit passengers are exempt from the International Visitor Conservation and Tourism Levy.
Yes. A relative or friend can complete the online form for you, as long as your passport details, photo and answers are accurate and truthful.