New Zealand visa

For your trip to New Zealand, you need a valid entry permit. We explain the most important New Zealand visas and show you how to get a travel authorization cheaply and quickly on the web.

Every foreigner needs a valid visa to enter New Zealand unless officially exempt from the visa requirement. This exemption applies, for example, to citizens of the so-called NZeTA countries. They do not need a visa and can enter the country with an unbureaucratic "New Zealand Electronic Travel Authority" (NZeTA).

There is also an exemption from the visa requirement for permanent residents of Australia as well as certain UN staff and some military and crew members.

The New Zealand government issues the easy-to-use New Zealand Electronic Travel Authority (NZeTA) to nationals of visa-exempt countries. This electronic travel authorization can be obtained through an online application process, and it entitles you to multiple entries into New Zealand within the validity period of two years from the date of issuance.

An NZeTA allows you to stay in New Zealand for tourism or short business purposes for up to three months (or six months for British citizens).

NZeTA countries include:

¹ Travelers from Macau need a Macau Special Administrative Region passport to apply for an NZeTA.

² Travelers from Portugal, the United Kingdom, and Taiwan must have an official permanent residence permit for the respective country in order to obtain an NZeTA.

³ Travelers from Hong Kong must be residents of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region or hold a British Overseas Zone passport.

⁴ Travelers from Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania must be citizens of the respective countries.

If you plan to come to New Zealand on a cruise ship, you can apply for an NZeTA regardless of your nationality and do not need a visa.

Travel to New Zealand became much easier with the introduction of NZeTA in 2019. The main differences between visa and NZeTA are:

New Zealand issues electronic visas (e-visas) for all types of visa applications. However, you can also get a physical sticker in your passport if needed.

In order to get the online NZeTA entry permit for New Zealand, you need to meet some other requirements besides being a citizen of one of the NZeTA countries. These relate to your intention to travel, intended length of stay, and some personal characteristics.

You may apply for an NZeTA if you are traveling to New Zealand by air or sea. An NZeTA is also provided for transit stays.

To apply for an NZeTA travel permit, you must usually have a passport from a country participating in the NZeTA program that is valid for at least three months at the time of application.

Exception: If you are coming to New Zealand on a cruise ship, you may apply for an NZeTA regardless of your citizenship and do not need a classic visa.

You may use an NZeTA for tourism or short business trips only.

With an approved NZeTA, you can stay in New Zealand for up to six months at a time. You may enter New Zealand several times within the twelve-month validity period.

You may only enter New Zealand on an NZeTA visa if you meet the physical, mental, and biographical requirements. The following conditions apply:

• You are in good health and do not pose a financial risk from foreseeable health care costs.
• You have not been in conflict with the law and have never been convicted of a criminal offense.
• You plan to leave the country again before your residence permit expires (and can also show a return or onward travel ticket for this purpose).
• You have enough money for your stay and your return journey.
• You have not been deported, expelled, or excluded from another country.
• You do not pose a threat to New Zealand security, public order, or the public interest.
• You are not entering the country for medical advice or treatment.
• You do not plan to live and work in New Zealand.

If you meet all of these criteria and are from one of the visa-exempt NZeTA countries, you are likely to be cleared to travel to New Zealand with an NZeTA.

To apply for an NZeTA travel permit and during your subsequent entry into New Zealand, you will need to have various documents ready. These include:

To apply for an NZeTA travel permit for New Zealand, you must have a passport that is valid for at least three months beyond your intended length of stay.

During the NZeTA application process, you will be asked to upload a recent photo in a special format. The NZeTA photo must meet the following requirements:

• Clearly recognizable face, taken from a distance of approx. 1.5 m
• Neutral facial expression, eyes open, mouth closed
• The face must be in the center of the picture
• No hats or sunglasses
• Eyes must be clearly visible, no red eyes
• Portrait format
• Sufficient and even lighting (no shadows)
• No color distortions and post-processing
• When wearing religious headgear, the face must be clearly visible from hairline to chin
• The photo must be less than six months old
• File size must be between 500 KB and 3 MB
• The resolution must be between 900 x 1200 and 2250 x 3000 pixels

You should be able to prove that you have sufficient funds for your stay in New Zealand when crossing the border. The rule of thumb is 1,000 New Zealand dollars per person and month, provided you have already paid for your accommodation.

You must be able to show travel documents upon request, which prove either your planned journey home or your onward journey to another country.

Upon entry, you may need to prove that you have ties to your home country and an interest in your return. For this purpose, you can show a letter from your employer or your student ID, for example.

All New Zealand travelers require an NZeTA or visa when arriving by air or sea. Children and infants are not excluded from this requirement. Therefore, you must apply for a separate NZeTA for each child traveling with you.

You can fill out the NZeTA visa application for New Zealand on the NZeTA application page of our partner iVisa within just a few minutes. To do so, have your passport, digital photo, and a valid email address and home address ready.

During the application, you will be asked questions about your biography, health, and the reason for your trip. Answer all questions truthfully and double-check all given information at the end.

After submitting your application, the New Zealand government will automatically have your identity verified. This can take ten minutes or sometimes three days. You may be required to submit additional information after verification.

Once your NZeTA application has been approved, your airline or shipping company will be notified automatically, and you can check-in for your trip.

When you apply for a visa or NZeTA for New Zealand, a visitor levy of 35 New Zealand dollars is automatically due. This International Visitor Conservation and Tourism Levy will be deducted during the payment of the respective entry permit.

Once approved, the NZeTA travel permit is valid for a total of two years but no longer than the expiration date of your passport. If your passport expires and you apply for a new one, you will also need to apply for a new NZeTA. Also, note that your passport must be valid for three months beyond your date of entry.

An approved NZeTA for New Zealand entitles you to tourist travel to New Zealand. Permitted activities with the electronic travel authorization include:

• Leisure round trips and sightseeing
• Visiting family and friends
• Short-term study or further education for up to three months
• Transiting in New Zealand

If you are coming to New Zealand on business and have not visited the country on business for more than three months within the last year, you can use the NZeTA for a period not exceeding three months:

• Sell goods and services in New Zealand
• Conduct business consultations or negotiations
• Establish, expand, or liquidate businesses

For any professional or business commitments beyond this, or to take up employment in New Zealand, you will need a work visa.

If you are a citizen of one of the NZeTA countries passing through Auckland International Airport on your way to another country, you must apply for an NZeTA - even if you do not intend to leave the airport.

Additionally, this rule also applies to travelers from the following countries and regions:

If you are neither from an NZeTA country nor one of these NZeTA transit countries and you are not an Australian citizen or permanent resident in Australia, you need a transit visa.

If your NZeTA has been rejected, there may be a variety of reasons. Among the most common are:

• Errors in the application (e.g., passport number).
• An inappropriate NZeTA photo (e.g., wrong format or difficult to recognize)
• The suspicion of immigration intent
• The suspicion of endangerment

If you assume the reason for your NZeTA rejection is a spelling error (e.g., in names or passport numbers) or an incorrect image format, you can correct the errors and update your application at https://www.immigration.govt.nz/new-zealand-visas/apply-for-a-visa. This must happen at least ten days before your trip.

If the reason for your rejection is your biography or a specific immigration or endangerment suspicion, reapplying will do you no good. You will have to apply for a classic visa instead of the NZeTA.

If the NZeTA is not sufficient for you, for example, because you want to work or study in New Zealand or plan a longer stay, then there are other visa categories available.

You have the choice between different work and holiday visas, student and education visas, family and adoption visas, work and qualification visas, investor and career visas, and some immigration visas.

The most commonly used visas for New Zealand include:

• Working Holiday Visa
• Fee-Paying Student Visa
• Essentials Skills + Skilled Migrant Visa
• Partner of a New Zealander Visa
• Partner of Worker Visa
• Permanent Resident Visa
• Medical Treatment Visitor Visa

For more detailed information, please visit the New Zealand government's official website.

Even before you travel to New Zealand, your approved NZeTA will be sent to your airline or shipping company to ensure a smooth process at the border.

Immigration New Zealand (INZ) will scan your passport, ask you a few questions, and request that you present some documents.

Have the following documents ready for your entry:

• Your passport
• A printed copy of your NZeTA confirmation email
• Documents proving a bond with your home country
• Documents proving sufficient financial resources for your stay and return or onward travel
• Depending on the case: further proof documents for the reason of your trip

You have already been given a Passenger Arrival Card on your flight or during your arrival by ship, which you must fill out before passing passport control. With this card, you declare any goods you are bringing with you to New Zealand, such as medicines, alcohol, tobacco, or other items.

Even if you already have an approved NZeTA or visa, you will still need to informally ask immigration officials at the New Zealand border for an entry permit. After looking at your documents and asking a few additional questions, you will finally get permission to cross the border.

Customs officers and MPI (Ministry for Primary Industries) staff are authorized to search your luggage and carry any items. This is to check whether you have paid customs duties and if any goods could pose an agricultural risk to New Zealand (biosecurity).

When entering New Zealand, please make sure to follow the current entry regulations including all safety instructions.

Find out the exact import regulations for New Zealand before you enter the country. There are strict rules for bringing in food, plants, medicines, luxury goods, money, feathers, bones, fur, wool, animal hair, coral, shells, and other items.