New Zealand eTA for Italian Citizens

Updated on Sep 13, 2024 | New Zealand eTA

The government of New Zealand announced that from 1st October, 2019, every traveler entering the country should acquire the NZeTa before traveling to New Zealand. But this facility is privileged only to sixty visa waiver countries and Italy is one of them.

Italian requirements for New Zealand visa waivers

The NZeTA is an electronic visa, only visa waiver nations are eligible to apply. It allows travelers to apply for travel authority online, without having to physically visit the visa office. As a country belonging to the list of visa waiver nations, Italian citizens are permitted to apply for the electronic permit, NZeTA.

Obligatory Visa Requirements for Italian Citizens Traveling to New Zealand

Italian citizens planning to visit the country for short stays can use the approved NZeTA, which allows for visiting purposes like tourism, business, and for transiting through the country.But if the Italian citizens are planning for a long stay in New Zealand, they will need to apply for a visa to New Zealand, related to the purpose they are traveling for, like study or job. The process is quite lengthy and you need to apply for it one month in advance, from the date of travel.

Understanding the NZeTA

The New Zealand Electronic Travel Authority is a short stay visa for 3 months (90 days) and can be used for tourism, transiting and business purposes. So any French citizen planning for a short for one of the mentioned reasons should apply for NZeTA.

The NZeTA is quick and easy to apply, you simply need to fulfill the eligibility criterias, once approved the NZeTA is valid for 2 years.

Exceptions and Visa Application

The NZeTA can be applied by the citizens of visa-waiver nations, as Italy is one of the visa-waiver nations listed by the government of New Zealand, Italian passport holders can apply for the NZeTA to visit New Zealand.

For what reasons can Italian citizens use NZeTA?

NZeTA for Italian nationals, travelers can use the NZeTA for short stays and are eligible to use it for the following purposes:

Business activities

Italian citizens can apply for NZeTA for business- travel like for attending meetings, conferences, seminars, events business, signing contracts, etc. With the NZeTA enjoy hassle-free business travel to New Zealand.

Tourism activities

Travelers who wish to explore the sightseeing places of New Zealand, engage in thrilling activities or visit their friends and family members. This NZeTA tourist visa allows a stay period of up to 3-months.

Transiting through New Zealand

Transiting passengers from transit visa waiver countries, transiting (layover or stoppage) through New Zealand

Coming by cruise ship

If Italian citizens are planning to enter New Zealand as a part of the cruise itinerary, then they have to opt for the NZeTA which must be applied before your arrival in a New Zealand authorized port of entry. Failing to do so, cruise ship passengers will not be able to exit from the port to enter mainland New Zealand.

NZ visa for Italian citizens, what is the validity period of NZeTA, how long is it valid?

The NZeTA has a validity period of two years, allowing travelers with multiple entries into the country. This multiple entry visa allows short stay to travelers, 3 months (90 days) during each visit. In the approved NZeTA, you can check out the start and end date of this electronic visa. Once the NZeTA gets expired after 2 years you will have to apply for a new NZeTA.

Italian nationals applying for NZeTA, why is it mandatory to conform to the right entry rules?

Citizens of Italy wishing to visit New Zealand are required to comply with the prerequisite eligibility criterions set by the immigration department of New Zealand to visit the country. As Italy is one of the visa-waiver nations, citizens of Italy can apply for the NZeTA. To opt for this electronic permit, NZeTA, travelers should satisfy the mandatory conditions and produce the obligatory documents.

The NZeTA is valid for two-years with multiple visits, but stays not longer than 3-months during each visit. Italian citizens should comply with the entry rules set in the NZeTA to enter the nation, failing to do so might lead to denial of your entry.

NZeTA for Italian nationals, what are its eligibility criterias?

Below are the NZeTA eligibility criterias for NZ Visa for Italian Citizens, check the list:

Valid Italian Citizen passport, minimum 6 months validity period, including arrival.

Good character, if you have committed a crime in the past or have been sentenced in the past you will be denied NZeTA, depending on the crime you have committed.

Italian Citizens must have a return ticket, if they are transiting through New Zealand they must have an onward journey ticket and if they are coming to visit New Zealand, they must have a return ticket with a limited stay of 3 months and not exceeding that.

Good health of the travelers, they should not suffer from any contagious diseases when they land in the country.

If the New Zealand immigration officials feel that you can be a risk to the security of the nation you will be rejected to travel.

NZeTA for Italian nationals, what are the necessary documents to apply for NZeTA?

For applying NZeTA, Italian Citizens do not have fulfilled many conditions like a traditional visa; instead you only need the following documents:

  • Valid Italian passport
  • Credit or debit card
  • E-mail address for notifying NZeTA information
  • Applicants recent passport-size photo should meet the stated photo requirements

Apart from the above listed documents, travelers might need to provide a few more documents depending upon your reason of visit and other certain factors. If confused, get in touch with customer support to provide accurate assistance.

Italian citizens applying for NZeTA, mandatory Passport Rules to conform to

When you are applying for NZeTA, Italian passport holders should know some of the rules to apply for the NZeTA with that passport:

Use the same passport throughout your travel plan

Italian citizens applying for the NZeTA should use the same passport for his/her entire trip. If you have two passports, you can only use the passport with which you have applied for the NZeTA, you cannot transfer it to another passport once received. In case the passport linked with the NZeTA is expired, you will have to update your passport and apply for a new NZeTA with the updated passport.

Validity-period of the passport

It is important to know that the passport must be valid throughout your trip in New Zealand, till your return to your home country. The travelers before applying for the NZeTA should see to it that the passport is valid for at least 6-months till he returns to his country.

NZ visa for Italian citizens, what are the steps required to fill the NZeTA form?

NZ visa for Italian citizens, this electronic visa allows Italian citizens to apply for a visa without physically having to visit the embassy, that being said, here is the stepwise guide to fill the NZeTA form:

  1. Provide your personal information or data - The applicant is required to complete filling details like applicant's first name, last name, date of birth, passport number, issuing country, expiry date, Email ID that's working and mobile number, etc.
  2. Passport size photo - The NZ visa for Italian citizens requires the applicant to upload his photo following all the photo requirements.
  3. Health and character declaration by the applicant - The applicant must mention as to why he must visit New Zealand, is it for medical reasons, and does the applicant have any past criminal record.
  4. Using debit/credit card to pay application fees - NZ visa for Italian citizens, to make the NZeTA fee payment use your credit/debit card. The fee that the travelers pay includes the NZeTA and IVL fees, the NZeTA is the application fees, while the IVL is the fee whose funds goes for the maintenance of the infrastructure of tourism and for conservation of natural environment and the wildlife.
  5. Finally submit the online form - After making the fee payment you have to wait for some time, as the processing time of NZeTA is 3 days (72 hours). Those applicants who are curious to check the status can check the NZeTA status online.

NZeTA Applications from Italian Applicants, what is the Time-Taken?

For Italian nationals, the processing time for NZeTA is 3 days (72 hours). Some applications are processed early, and some application processes may take time, more than 72 hours (3 days).

It could be delayed for various reasons like:

  • In complete NZeTA application
  • Too many applications to review and verify
  • Filling of some information not correctly
  • The passport-size photo you have uploaded might have not met the photo-requirements as stated in the guidelines.
  • The immigration department is waiting for reports like police verification

To be on the safe side it is always better to apply for NZeTA in advance, so that you have enough time to provide the documents, if minor issues arise. If confused, get in touch with customer support to provide accurate assistance.

What are the documents that Italian citizens with NZeTA need to carry while entering the country?

NZeTA for Italian nationals, so you have received your NZeTA and you are planning to travel to New Zealand, here is the complete list you need to carry:

  • Italy passport that's valid
  • Approved NZeTA, printed or digitally copy
  • Return ticket back from New Zealand
  • New Zealand Traveller Declaration (in the past referred as Passenger Arrival Card)
  • Accommodation proof, places you are planning to stay
  • Travel itinerary, places you will be visiting, entry and exit from the country
  • Proof of funds in your bank statement or credit cards with sufficient funds, minimum NZ$1000/- per person per month.
  • Debit/credit card for fee payment

Note:

Be sure to bring the passport which you have used to apply for NZeTA, as it is electronically connected, when you enter or leave the country you have to show the same passport.

Options for Flight Routes from Italy to New Zealand, what are Direct and Indirect alternatives available?

Italians planning a trip to New Zealand should know that direct flights are not available from Italy to New Zealand. Travelers will have to opt for one or more stops in Dubai or Singapore before finally landing in New Zealand. However with the NZeTA, travelers flying from Europeans flying from major cities have the privilege to arrive in major international airports in New Zealand like:

  • International Airport of Auckland
  • International Airport of Wellington
  • Airport in Queenstown
  • International Airport of Christchurch

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Advantages of the NZeTA that are enjoyed by the Italian citizens with NZeTA

The New Zealand immigration has made NZeTA compulsory as it offers benefits which are mentioned below:

Follow legal procedures

The NZeTA makes sure that travelers from visa waiver nations comply with the regulations set by the country.

Hassle-free entry into New Zealand

With NZeTA, travelers visiting the country can enjoy hassle-free and efficient entry. Travelers have to spend less time on immigration checks at passport controls, overall a convenient experience for both immigration authorities and travelers.

Strengthening the security

The NZeTA cross checks and screens all the travelers before allowing them to visit New Zealand. This improves the border security and keeps a track on potential risks and prevents unwanted travelers from entering.

Encourage tourism and business

The NZeTA encourages tourism and business, hence making entry into the country easy. It gets rid of some of the barriers which travelers had to face with the traditional visa application.

Eventually with NZ visa for Italian citizens, travelers have arrived in New Zealand, what are the procedures now?

With NZeTA visa for Italian citizens, travelers have arrived in New Zealand, but before exiting from the airport there are some immigration rules you need to follow.

Fill New Zealand Traveller Declaration

Passengers have to complete the New Zealand Traveller Declaration, previously referred to as Passenger Arrival Card online through the app or in case you are unable to fill, ask from the inflight crew they will provide you the hard copy.

NZTD requires you to complete the details like your personal data, reason you are visiting this country, your approved NZeTA details, certain items you are bringing, etc.

Head Towards the Passport Control

When you exit your flight, you have to head towards the passport control, where the immigration officials will check your passport and NZTD. They will write something on the NZTD before returning to you. The NZTD is required to cross the customs and biosecurity check.

The immigration officials also put visa stamps and entry stamps on your passport. You will now be able to move towards the baggage claim belt to collect your baggage.

Biosecurity

After collecting your baggage from the baggage claim area you have to head towards the customs and biosecurity screening section.

Here your bags will go through the x-ray machine and your bags will be sniffed by a detector dog as well. So if you have any items that are in the list of biosecurity risk items, you have to declare them, for example food, honey, plants, animal products, outdoor sports equipment etc. Some items may be seized and some may need to be quarantined, treated or tested.

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Ensure that you have checked the eligibility for your New Zealand eTA. If you are from a Visa Waiver country then you can apply for an eTA regardless of the mode of travel (Air / Cruise). Polish citizens, US citizens, Omani citizens, South Korean citizens and Canadian citizens can also apply online for New Zealand eTA.