The New Zealand eTA for French 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 France is one of them.

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.

What is a NZeTA for French Citizens and how does it help to visit New Zealand?

The NZeTA is an electronic visa which is applicable only for visa waiver countries. It allows travelers to apply for travel authority online, without having to physically visit the visa office. As a visa waiver nation, French citizens are eligible to apply for NZeTA.

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.

French citizens who can apply for NZeTA?

  • Visa waiver travelers
  • Transiting or layover travelers
  • Cruise ship travelers
  • Crew members from cruise ships or flights

French citizens planning short stays in New Zealand, do they need a visa?

French planning to visit the country for short stays can use the approved NZeTA, it allows for visiting purposes like tourism, business, and for transiting through the country.

But if the French 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.

For what reasons can French citizens use NZeTA?

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

  • Tourism
  • Business travel for attending meetings, conferences, seminars, events business, signing contracts, etc.
  • Transiting through the country

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What are the essential documents for French Citizens to apply for the NZeTA?

NZ visa for French citizens, the documents required to apply for the NZeTA includes the following, as applicants need to apply online, make sure to gather all before you start filling the form:

  • Valid France passport
  • Email ID that's in use or working
  • Debit/credit card for application fee
  • Passport size photo, the upload photo should follow the photo requirement criteria

Other important requirements:

French citizens applying for the NZeTA, should at least have NZ$1000/- per person for a per month stay, that includes traveling, meal and accommodation expenses. Providing proof of funds, for example bank statements, credit cards, etc.

Also, French citizens with the NZeTA, make sure to have your return ticket or onward travel from the country, as the immigration officials would verify if you are leaving the country on time.

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

NZ visa for French citizens, this electronic visa allows French 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:

  • Step1: 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.
  • Step 2: 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.
  • Step 3: Passport size photo - The NZ visa for French citizens, requires the applicant to upload his photo following all the photo requirements.
  • Step 4: Using debit/credit card to pay application fees - NZ visa for French 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.
  • Step 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). Applicants can check the NZeTA status online.

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Visitors from visa-waiver countries can apply for the NZeTA which is a travel authority to visit New Zealand for short visits. Those travelers wishing to visit the country, learn about the New Zealand Tourist Visa information for all Visitors who are seeking a short-term visit.

NZ visa for French citizens, how much time would it take to process the NZeTA?

The general time required for the NZ visa for French citizens to be processed is around 3 days (72 hours). However, it varies from application to application, if everything is okay, you might get the approved NZeTA before 3 days, but if something goes wrong like incomplete form, requirement of more documents, it may take more than 3 days.

So it is recommended that travelers, eagerly waiting to travel to New Zealand, should apply for NZeTA well in advance.

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

NZeTA for French nationals, valid for two years with unlimited entries to the nation. The stay allowed is 3 months (90 days). In the approved NZeTA, you can check out the start and end date of this electronic visa. Post expiry of your NZeTA after 2 years you will have to re-apply for a new NZeTA.

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

NZeTA for French 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:

  • France passport thats valid
  • Approved NZeTA, digitally or printed copy
  • New Zealand Traveller Declaration (previously referred as Passenger Arrival Card)
  • Return ticket back from New Zealand
  • Proof of funds in your bank statement or credit cards with sufficient funds, minimum NZ$1000/- per person per month.
  • Travel plans
  • Stay details

What are the immigration authorized ports for entry into New Zealand with the NZeTA?

French citizens with the authorized NZeTA are allowed to enter New Zealand via any of the undermentioned ports:

  • Auckland International Airport
  • Queenstown International Airport
  • Wellington International Airport
  • Christchurch International Airport

Address of the New Zealand Embassy in France

New Zealand Embassy in France is situated in Paris, the address of the embassy is mentioned below:

103 rue de Grenelle, 75007 Paris, France
Email: [email protected]
Phone: +33 1 45 01 43 43
Fax: +33 1 45 01 43 44

Address of the French Embassy in New Zealand

The French Embassy in New Zealand is located in Wellington. Here are the details of the embassy:

Wellington Central, Cooperative Bank building, 20 Ballance Street, Wellington 6011
Email: [email protected]
Phone: +64 4-384 2555

For visits like tourism or business meetings travelers can apply for the NZeTA, but should belong to a visa waiver nation to apply for the same. With this NZeTA enjoys hassle-free access into the country.

Traveling to New Zealand, crucial things to do before your arrival

Before you land in New Zealand you need to fill the NZTD, travelers can fill the form online through the NZTD app or you can ask for the hard copy of the form from the inflight crew members, they will provide you.

In the New Zealand Traveller Declaration (formerly known as Passenger Arrival Card), you need to fill in personal information, your visiting reasons, any restricted items you have brought, etc.

Do not hesitate to answer the questions correctly and accurately, false information can lead you to an instant fine of NZ$400. And in some cases you might be not sure whether the item is in the list of restricted items and whether you need to declare it or not, don't think simply declare it.

A guide to fill-up the New Zealand Traveller Declaration

If you are confused about how to fill the NZTD (known as Passenger Arrival Card previously), here are a few steps to complete the form:

If you did not have enough time to fill the NZTD form online, you can fill the hard copy of the form which is available on the flight.

For Section 1, occupation or job box, if you are not working simply write unemployed.

In Section 1, requesting you to write the residential address in New Zealand, if you have stay plans in different accommodations, simply write the name of the first accommodation.

If you do not belong to New Zealand, you do not have to fill Section 2a.

In Section 2b, compulsorily opt for the vacation option, even if you are backpacking.

And the most important part of the form is Section 5 and 6, where you have to declare some of the items that come under biosecurity risk items. If you do not declare those items you might need to pay a fine and your item will be taken as well.

In Section 8, as the NZeTA is not a visa, you have to simply select "yes" which means you are applying for a visa on arrival. As a traveler with' NZeTA from a visa waiver nation you will automatically get a visitor visa.

Keep the NZTD with your passport, the traveler has to show at the passport controls and then again in customs and biosecurity.

Formalities post arrival in New Zealand, so what do you need to do?

With the NZ visa for French citizens, the traveler has reached New Zealand, but before they exit the airport they have to follow certain steps.

The traveler has to go through passport controls, here his passport and approved NZeTA will be checked. The best part of NZeTA is that the personal details etc are checked before he is given the approved NZeTA, so the travelers are screened in advance, this means fast processing of your entry, and less queuing on the lines.

After clearing passport controls, and collecting your bags from the baggage claim area, move towards customs and biosecurity for further checking. As you enter the biosecurity and customs area of the airport, you will have to provide your NZTD, here you will be asked if there is any item that you want to declare, submit if you have any.

Here you have to put your bag in the x-ray machine. The officials might also ask you to open your bag if they are curious and the detector dogs will be on-sight to sniff certain risky items.

Are you confused about what items to declare and what not to?

Here is the list of the restricted items that you have on the NZTD form and as well submit them during biosecurity checking:

  • Food items
  • Plants and plant products
  • Live animals, for example if you are bringing your pet.
  • Animal products like fur, shells, feathers, etc.
  • Water related products.
  • Used equipment like camping, hiking
  • Animal medicines
  • Soil or water, biological cultures, organisms, etc
  • Farming equipments
  • Equipments used with plants or water and animals
  • Items used in outdoor activities.

What will happen if a traveler carries a biosecurity risk item in his bag?

Travelers with certain risky items have to surrender it. If you want to keep it, you have to send the item for treatment, and the treatment fee has to be paid by you. You will be given a date to collect it, but if the item is found not safe, it will be destroyed in the laboratory itself.

Always, declare your items, even if you are not sure about it, in case it turns out to be a risky item, such as failing to declare the item which leads to a NZ$400 fine.

Frequently Asked Questions About NZeTA

How often do French citizens need to apply for the NZeTA?

The approved NZeTA is valid for 2-years, which means that travelers do not have to apply for the NZeTA, each time they visit the country. After the NZeTA expires, travelers can apply for a new NZeTA.

What is NZeTA application for passengers in transit?

Passengers from transit waiver countries can apply for the NZeTA for transit pass. With the approved NZeTA transit pass, visitors can transit through the airport hassle-free. This transit pass is valid for 24 hours.

Are you traveling through a cruise ship? What is the NZeTA application procedure for them?

Despite belonging to any nation, cruise ship passengers can apply for the NZeTA. They do not need the regular visa, passengers will have to simply apply for the NZeTA before arriving in the nation. This approved NZeTA permits stay for 28 days or till the ship is in the immigration authorized port of New Zealand.

What is the validity of a NZeTA?

The NZeTA allows multiple entries offering a validity period of 2 years. The stay for each visit granted is 3 months (90 days).

Can French nationals renew or extend the NZeTA?

French citizens are not permitted for renewal or extension of the NZeTA. If you are planning for longer stays apply for some other visa, as you cannot extend your stay. Overstaying or extending your NZeTA, even one day could lead to heavy fines and penalties, even deportation and ban on future entries into the nation.

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Those travelers who are from visa-waiver countries and are applying for the NZeTA to visit New Zealand for business activities or for tourism purposes, should check out the Travel Guide for First Time Visitors to New Zealand, if you are not sure how it works.

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). Swedish citizens, Spanish citizens, Israeli citizens, Slovenian citizens and Japanese citizens can apply online for New Zealand eTA.

 
Apply New Zealand eTA from France