Apply for New Zealand Visa

Apply for New Zealand eTA

eTA New Zealand Visa is a new entry requirement that provides authorisation to travel to and enter New Zealand for short-term stays, tourism or business visitor activities. All non-citizens require a Visa or electronic Travel Authorization to enter New Zealand.

What is eTA New Zealand (or New Zealand Visa Online)


The eTA New Zealand Visa (NZeTA) (New Zealand Electronic Travel Authorisation) is an electronic travel authorisation which was launched by the Immigration Agency, Government of New Zealand after July 2019.

It is obligatory for citizens of all 60 visa waiver countries to obtain eTA New Zealand Visa (NZeTA), and all cruise travelers, by October 2019. All airline and cruise line crew will also need to hold a Crew eTA New Zealand Visa (NZeTA) before travelling to New Zealand (NZ).

The eTA New Zealand Visa (NZeTA) is valid for a period of 2 years and can be used for multiple visits. Applicants can apply for NZ eTA from their mobile, tablet, PC or computer and receive it in their email inbox by using this New Zealand eTA application form.

It is quick process which requires you filling an New Zealand eTA application form online, this can as little as five (5) minutes to complete. This is a completely online process. The payment for NZeTA can be made by Debit / Credit card. eTA New Zealand eTA (NZeTA) is issued within 48-72 hours after the application form has been successfully completed and fee paid by the applicant online.

Who needs an eTA New Zealand Visa?

Before October 1st 2019 there used to be a number of nationalities who could travel to New Zealand without obtaining a visa for up to 90 days. Citizens from the UK can enter for up to 6 months and Australians hold residency status on arrival.

However from October 1st, 2019 onwards, passport holders from all 60 visa waiver countries are required to apply for a eTA New Zealand Visa before travelling to the country, even if just transiting through New Zealand on the way to a final destination. The eTA New Zealand Visa is valid for a total of 2 years .

If coming by cruise ship, you can apply for eTA New Zealand eTA regardless of your nationality. You do not have to be from a New Zealand Visa Waiver country to get New Zealand eTA if mode of arrival is cruise ship.

All citizens of the following 60 countries will now need an eTA to visit New Zealand:

Every Nationality can apply for eTA New Zealand Visa Online if coming by Cruise Ship

Citizen of any nationality can apply for an eTA New Zealand Visa (or New Zealand Visa Online) if arriving New Zealand by a cruise ship. However, if traveller is arriving by air, then the traveller must be from a New Zealand Visa Waiver country, then only will NZeTA (New Zealand eTA) be valid for the passenger arriving into the country.

If you are still unsure, use New Zealand eTA Eligibility Tool to determine what kind of New Zealand eTA you are eligible for.

Information required for New Zealand Visa Online

eTA New Zealand Visa (NZeTA) applicants will need to provide the following information at the time of filling out online New Zealand Visa application form:

eTA New Zealand Visa (Or New Zealand Visa Online) Specifications

Australian citizens are exempt from applying for the eTA NZ Visa. Australian permanent residents of other nationalities —regardless of whether they carry a passport from an eligible country or not— need to apply for an eTA but are not required to pay the associated tourist levy.

Other exemptions from the eTA New Zealand Visa Waiver include:

  • Crew and passengers of a non-cruise vessel
  • Crew on a foreign ship carrying cargo
  • Guests of the New Zealand Government
  • Foreign citizens travelling under The Antarctic Treaty
  • Members of a visiting force and associated crew members.

Visa Types for Ne­w Ze­aland Travel

When planning a trip to New Zealand, it's e­asy to mix up visas, e-Visas, and New Zealand eTAs. Yet distinctions e­xist – some nations question e-visa validity, de­eming them redundant.

Though ETAs and e-visas share similarities, the­y aren't identical. For New Ze­aland visits, you could opt for either an ETA or e-visa. Howe­ver, an ETA isn't a visa but rather digital approval granting temporary e­ntry for up to three months. ETAs are quick and straightforward – you apply online­ and receive it within 72 hours from Ne­w Zealand authorities, with modification options before­ submission.

On the other hand, an e-Visa (E­lectronic Visa) requires applying via the­ country's official website. Although e-visa rule­s resemble ETAs, nuance­s may exist. Issuance depe­nds on authorities, potentially taking longer, so post-submission change­s aren't feasible. In e­ssence, e-visas are­ more akin to conventional visas, just handled e­lectronically.

An ETA is simpler than a visa. A visa ne­eds more steps, pape­rs, and visits. An ETA is easy online. But a visa stamp goes in your passport. You don't visit office­s for an ETA. But visas need documents and office­ visits. Plus, you must get approved for a visa. So ETAs are faste­r and easier.

The ETA links to your passport while­ valid. But for a visa, you give papers and wait for approval. Visas may be faste­r. But you still need papers and the­ process. An ETA is quicker without all the ste­ps.

Before you Apply for eTA New Zealand Visa (NZeTA)

Travelers who intend to apply online for New Zealand Visa Online (NZeTA) must fulfil the following conditions:

A Valid passport for travel

The applicant’s passport must be valid for at least three months beyond the departure date, that the date when you leave New Zealand.

There should also be a blank page on the passport so that the Customs Officer can stamp your passport.

A valid Email ID

The applicant will receive eTA New Zealand Visa (NZeTA) by email, therefore a valid Email ID is required to receive eTA NZ. The form can be complete by the visitors intending to arrive by clicking here eTA New Zealand Visa application form.

Purpose of visit should be legitimate

The applicant, at the time of filing application for NZeTA or at the border may be asked to provide purpose of their visit, they must apply for the right type of visa, for a business visit or medical visit, a separate visa should be applied.

Place of stay in New Zealand

The applicant will need to provide their location in New Zealand. (such as Hotel Address, Relative/Friends Address)

Method of Payment

Since the eTA New Zealand Visa application form is only available online, without a paper equivalent, a valid credit/debit card is required to complete the online New Zealand Visa Online application form.

Documents that the New Zealand Visa Online applicant may be asked at the New Zealand border

Means of supporting themselves

The applicant may be asked to provide evidence that they can financially support and sustain themselves during their stay in New Zealand. Either a bank statement of credit card may be required for an eTA New Zealand Visa applicant.

Onward/return flight or cruise ship ticket

The applicant may be required to show that they intend to leave New Zealand after the purpose of trip for which eTA NZ Visa was applied is over. An appropriate New Zealand Visa is required for a longer stay in New Zealand.

If the applicant does not have an onward ticket, they may provide the proof of funds and ability to buy a ticket in the future.

New Zealand Transit Visa

What is New Zealand Transit Visa?

New Zealand Transit Visa allows an individual to transit from New Zealand via air or water (Aircraft or Cruise ship) while making a stopover or layover in New Zealand. In this case you do not need a New Zealand Visa but instead need a eTA New Zealand Visa.

While stopping over at Auckland International Airport towards an onward destination towards a third country other than New Zealand, you need to apply for an eTA New Zealand for Transit. All citizens who are from New Zealand Visa Waiver (New Zealand eTA Visa) countries can apply for New Zealand Transit Visa which is a special type of New Zealand eTA (electronic Travel Authority) without the International Visitor Levy component in the NZeTA Visa.

Note that if you apply for eTa New Zealand for Transit then you are not allowed to go out of the Auckland International Airport.

Who is eligible for New Zealand Transit Visa?

Citizens of countries who have a bilateral agreement if New Zealand Government are eligible for New Zealand Visa for Transit (NZeTA transit). This list is kept up to date at New Zealand Transit Visa waiver countries.

What is the difference between eTA New Zealand Visa and New Zealand Visa?

eTA New Zealand Visa offered on this website is the most convenient entry authority available in usually one business day for the citizens of New Zealand Visa Waiver countries.

However, if your nationality if not represented in the eTA New Zealand country list, then you have to apply for a long winded route of New Zealand Visa.

  • The duration of stay is limited to six-month maximum at a single stretch for New Zealand eTA (New Zealand electronic Travel Authority or NZeTA). Therefore, if you are intending to stay in New Zealand for a longer duration then eTA New Zealand will not be suitable for you
  • Moreover, there is no need to visit New Zealand Embassy or New Zealand High Commission for New Zealand eTA (New Zealand electronic Travel Authority or NZeTA), whereas you are required to pay an in person visit for obtaining a New Zealand Visa.
  • Further, New Zealand eTA (New Zealand electronic Travel Authority or NZeTA) is dispatched electronically by email, whereas New Zealand Visa may require a stamp on the passport. New Zealand eTA has an added benefit of being eligible for multiple entries.
  • The application for eTA New Zealand Visa (or New Zealand Visa Online or NZeTA) is quite simple and easy which requires answering health, character and biodata questions generally, and the eTA New Zealand Visa Application Form can be completed in under two minutes, whilst the New Zealand Visa application can take several hours to days to complete.
  • Most eTA New Zealand Visa (New Zealand Visa Online or NZeTA) get approved by the same or the next business day while some taking up to 72 hours, whilst New Zealand Visa can take several weeks to get approved.
  • All European Union and American citizens are eligible for New Zealand eTA (New Zealand electronic Travel Authority or NZeTA) which implies that New Zealand views citizens of these countries as low risk.
  • For all practical purposes, you should consider eTA New Zealand Visa (New Zealand Visa Online or NZeTA) as the new type of New Zealand Tourist Visa for the 60 New Zealand Visa Waiver countries.

What type of New Zealand Visa is required if coming by Cruise Ship?

If you are planning to visit New Zealand by cruise ship, then you are eligible to apply for eTA New Zealand Visa (New Zealand Visa Online or NZeTA). You can spend short stays in New Zealand up to 90 days or 180 days depending on your nationality on the NZeTA.

Citizen of any nationality can apply for New Zealand eTA if coming by cruise ship.

If you are an Australian Permanent Resident then you can avail the New Zealand eTA (New Zealand electronic Travel Authority or NZeTA) without paying the International Visitor Levy (IVL) component Fee.

What are eligibility requirements for eTA New Zealand Visa?

The following are the key eligibility requirements to acquire an eTA New Zealand Visa (New Zealand Visa Online or NZeTA).

  • A passport / travel document that is valid for three months from the date of entry into New Zealand
  • A working and valid email address
  • Debit or Credit card
  • Purpose of visit must NOT be Medical related, see New Zealand Visa Types
  • A citizen of New Zealand Visa Waiver countries if coming by Airplane route
  • Duration of stay should be limited to 90 days at a time (180 days for British Citizens)
  • No current criminal conviction
  • Should not have a history of being deported or removed from another country

United Kingdom, Taiwan and Portugal permanent residents are also eligible to apply whilst other individuals from other countries also require a passport from the said country.

What are the Passport requirements for eTA New Zealand Visa (or New Zealand Visa Online)?

The following are passport requirements for eTA New Zealand Visa (or NZeTA).

2024 Updates for New Zealand eTA (NZeTA) Visa

If you are planning to visit New Zealand this year please be mindful of the following key aspects for your trip from Visa perspective.