New Zealand Visa Application and NZeTA Registration

Updated on Sep 12, 2024 | New Zealand eTA

Only travelers who are from visa-waiver nations are entitled to apply for NZeTA. This electronic visa is an important scheme undertaken by the government of New Zealand, it was introduced in October 2019, allowing travelers for reasons related to transit, tourism and business to enter the country.

New Zealand is a heavenly place on earth filled with enchanting beauty, the region is home to glaciers, mountain ranges, varied flora and fauna, winelands, Lord of the Rings scenic spots, lakes and rivers, waterfalls, wilderness, beaches, vibrant cities and rich culture and heritage. So if you are making your travel plans to visit this heavenly country, make sure you have applied for the visa in advance.

What is the work of the NZeTA?

NZeTA is a travel authorization, and offers the benefits to the citizens from visa waiver nations to enter New Zealand. It is in case the simplest and fastest method to get approval without having to visit the Consulate office. Applicants applying for the NZeTA should submit the form online, wherein you have to answer some basic personal details, each question asked should be answered accurately and honestly. The time -taken to process will be around 72 hours (which means 3 days approx).

Travelers with the NZeTA can visit:

New Zealand without the requirement of a normal visa, but make you have a passport from a visa-waiver country.
Transit (stoppage or layover) through Auckland Airport

Note: If a travel agency has helped you apply for the NZeTA, you must inform them in case you have committed any crime in the past, or have been deported or in case you are undergoing medical treatment in New Zealand.

Who Can Apply for an NZeTA?

Travelers from the following categories are entitled to apply for the NZeTA for short-term stays:

Citizen of a visa-waiver country
Transiting (layover or stoppage) passengers from transit waiver nations
Crew members of flight and cruise ship
Cruise ship passengers coming from any nation

But applicants should know that in order to apply for the NZeTA, they should belong to a visa-waiver country. The passport holders from these countries are not required to obtain the regular visa.

Who Does Not Need an NZeTA?

There are some lucky citizens who do not need to apply for the NZeTA to enter New Zealand:

New Zealand citizens who have New Zealand passport
Australians with Australian passport
Foreign travelers with passport having New Zealand citizen acceptance
Valid New Zealand visa
Individual with Permanent New Zealand Resident Visa
Member of a force like defense on duty visiting the country
Someone related to the Antarctic Treaty or is a member

Travelers visiting New Zealand, do they have to obtain the Visitor Visa or the NZeTA?

Travelers can apply for the NZeTA, if they are in the list of visa-waiver countries. They can use the NZeTA for business, tourism and transiting purposes. This is a part of the visa-waiver scheme by New Zealand that allows the citizens from visa waiver nations to enter the country for short stays.

Whereas, a traveler is required to apply for the visitor-visa if:

They do not belong to a visa-waiver nation or do not have a passport from a visa-waiver nation.
UK Citizens who want to stay for more than 6 months or 3 months in New Zealands
Those travelers who have serious health issues and are communicable or pose a threat to the public.

What is the Validity of an NZeTA?

The NZeTA has a validity period of 2 years with multiple entry options, but stays limited to 3 months for each visit. This means NZeTA travelers will have the advantage of enjoying a stay in New Zealand for a limited period of 3 months (i.e. 90 days) for each visit.

It's important for the citizens of visa-waiver nations to follow the immigration rules, and should not exceed their stay, stay only till the time period offered.

Requirements to Apply for an NZeTA

NZeTA visa for visa-waiver country citizens, in order to apply for NZeTA, the applicant will need the following documents which are necessary:

Valid Passport from visa-waiver country
Health information that you do not carry any contagious diseases.
Character certificate that you have not committed any crimes, no deportation or legal issues pending.
Flight departure and return dates
Credit/debit card for NZeTA fee payment
Recent passport size photo, follow the photo requirements criteria while uploading.
Accommodation details, your stay details

How to Apply For an NZeTA?

NZeTA visa for visa-waiver country citizens, the applicant needs to follow the below stepwise guide to fill the form:

Visit the designated website and fill the NZeTA form online. Applicants will have to complete filling the details on the form like full name, passport number, passport issuing date and expiry date, place of birth, gender, date of birth, and secret questions related to criminal and health.
Declare whether you will be entering the country or transiting.
Upload documents like your scanned passport and your recent photograph.
Review the filled application details once again, confirm and then finally opt for declaration, where you state that you give permission to the authorities to access your information.
You will be directed to the NZeTA fee payment page, make the payment through debit/credit card. The charge includes the NZeTA fee and the IVL fee.
After following the steps, wait for receiving confirmation mail or SMS

The IVL is the tourism levy fees whose fund is used for developing the tourism infrastructure, wildlife and natural environment of New Zealand.

I am Thinking of Visiting New Zealand. Can I Get the NZeTA Upon Arrival?

Foreign travelers cannot apply for the NZeTA once they arrive in New Zealand. Travelers from visa-waiver countries need to apply for the NZeTA whose processing time required is around 72 hours (3 days) working days. Those planning a trip to New Zealand should apply for the NZeTA, 7 days in advance, whether you are coming by flight or cruise ship, getting an NZeTA is a must before your arrival.

How Many Days Before the Applicant should Apply for the NZeTA?

The time-taken for the NZeTA to be approved takes around 72 hours (i.e. 3 days), so applicants from visa-waiver nations are advised to apply at least 7 days in advance. Applying beforehand will let you have ample time, even in case some corrections are needed, you can fix it.

In some cases it may take time for your application to be approved, sometimes applicants have to face denial if they provide inaccurate information, submitted incomplete forms, or did not provide genuine documents.

Note: It is not compulsory to book your flight tickets to apply for the NZeTA, but you will be required to provide valid documents for the purpose you are visiting New Zealand.

Already Applied for the NZeTA, What is the Length of Time-Taken to Receive it?

In case of standard processing of the NZeTA, the applicant will have to wait for 3 days (i.e. 72 hours), sometimes more, depending from application to application.

For urgent applications, the time taken is less, if information is accurate and documents are genuine, you might be able to get the decision within a few hours.

For complex applications, the time-take may be more than the standard time, as the applicant might need to go through extra checks like character verification, health checkup, or need of documents.

Is it Compulsory to Book Flight Tickets Before Applying for the NZeTA?

Travelers from visa-waiver countries planning a trip to New Zealand do not have to book a flight ticket in advance. But while applying for the NZeTA, you will need to provide proof for the purpose you are traveling to New Zeakand. The NZeTA is allowed for tourism, business and transit purposes, so you have to provide documents related to these purposes only. But, you will have to provide the arrival date (estimated date) in the form.

The approved NZeTA is valid for 2-years with multiple entries, stay limited to 3 months (i.e. 90 days) for each visit. The applicant should make sure to have the return ticket booked or transit ticket booked before entering New Zealand, as you will be checked at the immigration checkpoints.

How Will I Receive My NZeTA?

The NZeTA application process is completely online, so citizens need not have to visit the Consulate office. Once the NZeTA is submitted, the result of the application, whether accepted or rejected will be mailed to you.

Accepted applications will receive the approved NZeTA, take a printout copy of the same and keep a soft copy as well. On-arrival in New Zealand, you will have to show the same for entry into the country.