Venezuela and the transit NZeTA
New Zealand classes Venezuela as a transit visa-waiver country. Venezuelan citizens don't need a transit visa to change planes in Auckland, but since 1 October 2019 they have needed an approved NZeTA before they travel. The airline checks it at check-in, and you can be refused boarding without it.
Many Venezuelans now live outside Venezuela, in countries such as Colombia, Peru, Chile, Argentina, Spain and the United States. For New Zealand's rules, your residence doesn't matter. What counts is your citizenship and the passport you travel on. If you also hold the passport of a visa-waiver country, such as Spain or Italy, you could apply as a visitor with that passport instead.
A typical route via Santiago
The most common reason a Venezuelan traveller passes through New Zealand is a trip from South America to Australia. Flights from Santiago de Chile cross the Pacific to Auckland, and many passengers continue to Sydney, Melbourne or Brisbane on the same day. Others connect in Auckland for flights to Asia or the Pacific islands.
This is transit
Bogotá → Santiago → Auckland → Sydney, with a 4-hour connection in Auckland and bags checked through to Sydney.
This is not transit
Santiago → Auckland, two nights in the city, then a flight to Sydney. Leaving the airport needs a visitor visa.
Your final destination has its own rules. If you are flying on to Australia, you need an Australian visa before you leave South America. The airline will check it along with your NZeTA.
Transit limits you must follow
A transit NZeTA is valid only when all of these conditions are met:
- You arrive at and depart from Auckland International Airport.
- You leave within 24 hours on a confirmed onward flight.
- You stay in the international transit area at all times.
- You hold the documents needed to enter your next country.
It does not allow you to:
- Go through immigration, even for a meal or a short look at the city
- Connect to a domestic flight to Queenstown, Wellington or Christchurch
- Arrive in Auckland and leave from a different New Zealand airport
- Work, study or stay in New Zealand
For more detail, including what happens if your flight is delayed, read our guide to transit through New Zealand.
Your Venezuelan passport
Your passport must be valid for at least 3 months after you leave New Zealand, and it must be accepted by every airline and country on your route. Some Venezuelan passports have had their validity extended rather than being reissued. If yours has, check with your airline before you apply and before you book.
| Name | Enter both surnames in the family name field, exactly as in the passport, for example GONZÁLEZ MÁRQUEZ. |
|---|---|
| Given names | Include all given names, such as LUIS ALBERTO, not only the one you use day to day. |
| Passport number | Copy it carefully. A new passport means you need a new NZeTA. |
| Cédula | Not accepted as a travel document for New Zealand. |
If New Zealand is your destination
Perhaps you want to see the country rather than just its airport, visit friends or attend an event. As a Venezuelan citizen arriving by air, you need a New Zealand visitor visa. This is a separate application from the NZeTA, and it is assessed by the New Zealand immigration authorities. It usually needs more documents and takes longer, so apply well in advance. Our tourist visa page explains the basics.
Cruise passengers
Every cruise passenger arriving in New Zealand needs an NZeTA. This means Venezuelan citizens who arrive on a cruise ship can apply for an NZeTA as visitors. Select "Visit" as the type when you apply. Remember to check the entry rules for the country where you board the ship, often Australia. Read our cruise ship guide for more information.
How to apply for a transit NZeTA
The form is in English and takes about 10 minutes to complete. You can apply from any country, and you can add up to 10 travellers in one application, which is useful for families moving together.
Choose "Transit"
Select the transit type and a speed: Normal (48–72 hours), Emergency (24–48 hours) or Rush (12–24 hours).
Add passport details
Enter details for each traveller, including both surnames.
Upload a photo
A clear, recent photo of each person's face against a plain background.
Answer and pay
Complete the health and character questions and pay by card. No IVL levy is charged for transit.
Apply for a transit NZeTA from Venezuela
Allow up to 72 hours. See our fees page for current prices and our FAQs for general questions. If your route meets the transit conditions, start your NZeTA application before you leave.
Questions from Venezuelan travellers
No transit visa is needed, because Venezuela is a transit visa-waiver country. You must hold an approved NZeTA and stay airside at Auckland International Airport for no more than 24 hours.
No. A transit NZeTA does not let you leave the airport. Venezuelan citizens flying in to visit New Zealand need a visitor visa.
The rules depend on your nationality, not your country of residence. As a Venezuelan citizen you can transit Auckland with an NZeTA, but you need a visa to visit New Zealand.
Ask your airline and check your situation before you apply. Your passport must be accepted for the whole journey and be valid for at least 3 months after you leave New Zealand.
Yes. Your NZeTA only covers the transit in Auckland. You need any visa required by Australia, or by any other final destination, before you travel.
No. Transit passengers don't pay the International Visitor Conservation and Tourism Levy.