Transferring New Zealand Visa or eTA to a New Passport

Updated on Sep 13, 2024 | New Zealand eTA

To make certain that your travel permit is valid, it is vital to keep your passport details updated beforehand, in case there is any on the entry permit. New Zealand Visa and NZeTA is considered valid only if the passport that was used to apply is valid.

In case you fail to update the details of the passport you will not be able to use the New Zealand Visa and NZeTA for entry into the nation. Applying NZeTA and New Zealand Visa with the updated and valid passport is mandatory. Travelers must transfer NZeTA or New Zealand Visa to a new passport in case it was renewed, lost or stolen.

Travelers from visa-waiver countries planning to visit New Zealand to apply for NZeTA instead of a regular visa, if they want to visit the country for short stays like business meetings, transiting and tourism. Once you are done with the NZeTA application, the last stage requires applicants to pay the NZeTA and IVL fees.

Both of these fees are applicable for two years till the validity of your NZeTA, since the NZeTA allows multiple entries in two years, you do not have to pay the NZeTA and IVL every time you plan to visit the nation. Those passengers entering New Zealand through Cruise Ship should also check the eligibility criterion of the NZeTA and apply for the NZeTA.

Want to keep the existing travel permit for New Zealand? Steps to be Undertaken

If you aren't aware, here is a list of the crucial steps to be taken to keep the existing travel permit for New Zealand:

Contact immediately the immigration authorities

To transfer NZeTA or New Zealand Visa to a new passport, travelers must immediately reach out to the relevant immigration department of New Zealand or the Consulate office of New Zealand in your home country. Ask for important information regarding the procedures to transfer visa and the required compulsions for updation of passport details. The immigration officials will be accountable for rectifying and updating the required details.

Updating your passport information

In case your passport has been lost, stolen or renewed, after obtaining the new passport, there are some changes in the passport information (like passport issuing date, passport expiry, passport number), it is crucial to update these passport details.

Furnish the mandatory documents

Produce the obligatory documents to transfer New Zealand Visa to new updated passport. The obligatory documents include new passport, old passport and other additional documents requested by the immigration officials. Make certain that the documents are updated and valid.

Submit the application form of transferring the travel permits

To submit the application for visa transfer, follow the guidelines provided by the immigration officials for updating the passport information in your travel permits. The application process will require you to fill the form and pay the fees, and attach all the crucial documents.

Wait for confirmation after the update

After you have submitted the form to transfer your New Zealand Visa to the new updated passport, the immigration officials will take some time to process the same. The officials will review and verify the details provided. Once the confirmation has been made that your travel permit has been updated, you can make your travel plans to visit New Zealand.

How to Update New Zealand Visa or NZeTA After Passport Renewal?

When you are renewing your passport, remember to take the prerequisite steps to update your existing NZeTA or New Zealand visa. The main reason is because the passport is linked to the NZeTA.

In case you have renewed your passport and are using the new passport, then your current NZeTA or New Zealand visa becomes invalid, as your new passport details cannot be changed automatically by these travel authorities. You have to physically update the travel permits to make certain it is valid.

In order to update the NZeTA or New Zealand visa after renewing your passport, here is a list of the steps to follow:

Step 1: First apply for the new passport

Travelers should first apply for the new passport and obtain it, before applying for an update in the NZeTA or New Zealand Visa. It is important to cross-check that the new passport is valid and ready for use.

Step 2: Get in touch with the immigration officials

In order to update your NZeTA or New Zealand visa after the passport has been renewed, get in touch with the right immigration officials (immigration department of Embassy of New Zealand or Consulate office) who are responsible for processing your application for the same. If you have any questions regarding the process to go forward with the updating the passport details, inquire with the travel authority.

Step 3: Provide the obligatory documents

Travelers with the New Zealand Visa or NZeTA, to update the new passport details, they will have to provide the obligatory documents like new passport, former passport and any other documents that are requested by the immigration officials.

Step 4: Follow the prerequisite steps and submit your application

Applicants applying for updating the NZeTA or New Zealand Visa to enter new passport details, follow the steps as mentioned in the immigration rules and by the officials and submit it by paying the fees and providing the requested documents.

Step 5: After submitting, wait for the status

Once you have submitted the application to update the renewed passport details in your NZeTA or New Zealand Visa, the immigration officials will verify the information and cross-check your documents provided as evidence as well. It usually takes some time, so you have to patiently wait for the status. Make your travel plans, post receipt of a positive status.

Transfering the visa to a new passport: Steps to Follow when it is not possible/required to Transfer the Visa

If you already have a New Zealand Visa and you have applied for a new passport and obtained it, you have to update the details in the visa to make certain that the travel authority to the country remains valid. So travelers who already have a New Zealand Visa with the old passport details, must transfer it to the new passport, in case they wish to travel New Zealand again.

Whether the travelers have a eVisa, NZeTA or physical visa label, for every travel permit you have, you have to follow the obligatory steps to update it. Below are the two options available:

To transfer the visa to the new passport

In order to transfer your NZeTA or New Zealand visa after the passport has been renewed, get in touch with the right immigration officials who will be responsible for processing the application.

If you have any questions regarding the process to go forward with the transfer of the visa to the new passport, inquire with the immigration authorities (immigration department of Embassy of New Zealand or Consulate office), they will guide regarding transfer of your existing visa to your renewed passport.

Application for a fresh travel permit

If it is not possible to transfer the visa/travel permit to the new passport, travelers will be required to apply for a fresh permit with the new/renewed passport.

To apply for the new travel permit follow the instructions as set down by the immigration authorities of the Embassy of New Zealand or Consulate office. Provide the obligatory documents and meet the eligibility criterions as required in the travel permits. While applying for the new travel permit, you have to inform the immigration officials about your previous visa with the old passport.

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If travelers are visiting some country and have to transit through New Zealand, they can easily opt for the Transit NZeTA instead of a visa. This scheme is applicable for citizens of transit waiver countries only.To enjoy a smooth and hassle-free transit through the nation, travelers from eligible countries should apply for the NZeTA.

Want to Transfer the New Zealand Travel Permit to the New Passport? Steps to be undertaken

The procedure to transfer a travel permit to the new passport will rely on the kind of visa you have, whether it is an eVisa, NZeTA or physical visa label.

eVisa or NZeTA received by email:

  • To inform about the new passport received, get in touch with the immigration officials of New Zealand (Embassy of New Zealand/ Consulate Office).
  • The immigration officials will guide you with the steps to follow for transferring your existing travel permit to the new passport.
  • Furnish to the immigration officials with your new and previous travel permit details.
  • Strictly adhere to the guide and furnish the necessary documents requested.
  • If the transfer of your existing travel permit to the new passport is successful, you will receive a confirmation message regarding the same.

Physical paper visa label affixed to the passport:

  • Those travelers who have their paper visa label affixed with the old passport, and have received a new passport (on expiry/lost/theft), will be required to transfer their paper visa label to the new passport. The Paper visa label attached with the old passport will be invalid, therefore it is required to be transferred at the earliest.
  • Get in touch with the immigration officials to notify them about the new passport obtained.
  • Once informed to the immigration officials about the new passport obtained, they will instruct you about the requirements to transfer the physical paper visa label to the new passport.
  • At all times stick to the rules and instructions set and furnish the documents needed.
  • You will get the new physical paper visa label attached to your new passport, when the transfer is approved after verification.

Note: Those who want to transfer the physical paper visa label to eVisa or receive a physical paper visa label if you already have eVisa. To know more about this mentioned piece of information contact the immigration authorities to know more about it in detail.

How to Update your New Passport information in your NZeTA?

Those travelers who already have the NZeTA and have obtained a new passport, they can update the passport details in the NZeTA,by following the instructions set by the immigration authorities of New Zealand. Here is how you can do so:

Apply for the update of the passport details in the NZeTA in advance

To avoid any hassles in your travel plans, travelers are suggested to update the new passport information, at least 10 days ahead, to make certain that the NZeTA is linked to your passport, since it may take some time to process your request.

Visit the site and check the NZeTA status

Visit the site of the immigration department of New Zealand and access the service available for NZeTA holders, use this service to check the NZeTA status.

Furnish the new passport details

Once you access the service available for NZeTA holders, opt for the update passport details option. When selected, you have to proceed further by furnishing the required information of your new passport.

Abide by the guidelines set

It is mandatory to fill all the details correctly and accurately while supporting your documents. For a convenient and hassle-free entry into the nation, make certain to provide genuine information and documents.

It is important to know that the online service of the immigration department of New Zealand can only be used to update the new passport only if it is issued from the same state as the old passport linked with the NZeTA. In case you have changed your nationality, and the new passport is obtained from a different state, then the traveler will have to obtain a fresh NZeTA, and not to update the existing one.

So by using the online services furnished by the immigration department of New Zealand, travelers with NZeTA can update the new passport details in their travel permit, whilst the new passport is issued from the same state.

The updated new passport details will show in the NZeTA and will help you with your travel to New Zealand.

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Those travelers planning a visit to New Zealand for tourism purposes should apply for the NZeTA, which can be applied by the citizens of visa-waiver countries. If you are not aware about the NZeTA Tourist Visa, check this important article to know about New Zealand Tourist Visa for seeking short vacation to New Zealand.

Want to Transfer the New Zealand eVisa to the New Passport? Steps to be Undertaken

Travelers who already have the New Zealand eVisa, and applied and received a new passport, it is necessary to inform the immigration officials regarding the change in the information of your passport. After obtaining the new passport, to transfer the eVisa to new passport follow the listed steps:

  1. Collect the required significant documents and get the eVisa ready to transfer to the new passport.
  2. Provide a certified copy of the new and valid passport which should be certified by a designated government authority officer only.
  3. Provide a certified copy of the old passport that is connected with the existing eVisa. The certified copy should be duly stamped by a notary officer.
  4. Fill the application form for transfer of the New Zealand eVisa to the new passport. The form can be obtained from the New Zealand Embassy or from the Consulate office of New Zealand or get it downloaded from the immigration website of New Zealand.
  5. After filling the form, submit the form with the certified copies of the new and old passport to the immigration officials. At all times follow the guidelines set by the immigration authorities of New Zealand to avoid any errors. If you are requested to provide the original copies of the old and new passport, you might need to provide the same.
  6. In order to transfer the eVisa to the new passport you don't have to pay any fees. However, if you choose to apply for a new visa label rather than transferring it you will have to pay a certain fee. To know about the payment methods and charges involved, contact the immigration officials while submitting the form.
  7. Wait for the application to process, as it may take some time. The immigration officials will cross-check and verify it before transferring the eVisa to the new passport, if the transfer is completed you will receive a confirmation mail.

Want to Transfer the Paper Visa Label to the New Passport? Steps to be undertaken

If you have obtained a new passport and want to transfer the New Zealand visa label from old passport to new passport. This can be done by following the under mentioned steps:

Accumulate the requisite documents: Validated copy of your old passport along with paper visa labels need to be acquired. You have to make sure that it is validated by a licensed authority. Otherwise, your application may be rejected.

New passport: You must make the new valid passport ready for affixing the transferred visa label

Provide filled application form: In order to apply for the transferring of the paper visa label to the new passport, fill the application provided by the immigration of New Zealand, correctly and completely.

Paper visa transfer fee: Pay the required fee for transferring the paper visa label.

Submit the paper visa label application form to transfer: Make certain that the paper visa label form to transfer is correctly and completely filled. After reviewing the application, pay the transfer visa fee. If you are applying for visa transfer for more than one person of the family, make sure to fill separate application forms for each individual. Also, you have to pay the processing fee for everyone separately.

Wait for confirmation: Transferring of visa labels to your new passport requires some processing time after submission.

On completion, you will receive a mail regarding the successful transfer of your paper visa label to the new passport.

Travelers have Lost or Stolen Passports linked with a NZeTA, what to do?

For travelers who already have an existing NZeTA in their passport but, have lost or stolen their passport, they should follow the below mentioned steps:

Report the incident to police: Report the entire incident to a nearby police station and receive a copy of the police report stating the incident of loss and theft. This official document will serve as a proof of the loss or stolen passport.

Report to the authorities: Report to suitable embassy/consulate or New Zealand Immigration Department about the lost or stolen passport. It is also compulsory to provide the details about the existing NZeTA to the authorities.

Submit a letterhead: In case the applicant's old passport was not and they have applied for a new passport, the applicant will have to submit a letter in a letterhead informing about the issue to the authorities. In the letterhead provide details like passport application date, passport number and other important details about the loss of the passport.

Abide to the rules set: The immigration officials have set certain rules to follow and have mentioned the necessary documents to be provided, fulfill these prerequisite conditions to transfer the NZeTA to the new passport.

Note:

Travelers should know that the same process and steps are to be followed to transfer New Zealand and eVisa to the new passport.

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Those who are traveling to New Zealand for the first time, you might be confused about certain details like what type of travel permit to apply for to New Zealand, how to apply for the travel permits, best time to travel, places to visit, etc. To answer your certain important questions check the Travel Guide for First Time Visitors to New Zealand.

Change of Name on Passport for New Zealand Visa or NZeTA: What are the Steps to be Undertaken?

If you already have an NZeTA and you have changed your name on the passport, then you will have to apply for a fresh NZeTA with the new updated passport with the changed name. The same will also go with the changes in Nationality and declarations made.

Applicants requesting for visa transfer with changed name on their new passport, they will have to furnish relevant proof with the changed name during the visa transfer application process. You can provide your marriage certificate, birth certificate or any other date of birth document as a proof for change in name.

Follow under mentioned steps for updating your travel permit:

Application for a fresh NZeTA: In case your name is changed in the passport, applicants will have to apply for a fresh NZeTA. They will have to submit the updated passport with the changed name and all the other necessary documents and details, as requested by the immigration authorities.

Provide relevant documents: You have to accumulate documents in support of your new name, if your passport has a different name from your previous one. These documents may be your marriage certificate, birth certificate or any other date of birth document as a proof for change in name.

Submit necessary documents: Furnish the documents in support of your changed name along with the application for the new NZeTA. Make sure to follow all the instructions provided by the Immigration department of New Zealand or pertinent embassy/consulate for submitting the documents.

Complete the application procedure: Provide all correct and up-to-date information, complete the application procedure for a fresh NZeTA by following written instructions.

Renewing a NZeTA or New Zealand Visa, what are the key points to consider?

If you are having a good time in New Zealand and planning to extend your visit further than the validity period of your travel permit, it is compulsory to renew your visa to avoid any overstaying related issues.

Under mentioned are the important points to be worked on:

Renewal prior to expiry: You need to renew your visa prior to the permit expiry date, if you want an uninterrupted and legitimate stay in New Zealand. Submission of renewal application in time is very important to stay away from any unlawful situation.

Purpose to stay in New Zealand: If your purpose is to stay in New Zealand for further than the permitted period, then renewal of your travel permit is compulsory. If you fail to renew your NZeTA before the expiry, your stay will become illegal.After the expiry of your visa, if you still stay in New Zealand you can face fines, penalties, deportation and ban on future travels.

Application procedure: There are different procedures for renewal of different NZeTA on the basis of different types of permit an individual holds. For better understanding for renewal based on your permit type it is recommended to check New Zealand Immigration Department's officialWebsite. For latest and exact information on renewal procedure you can also consult with a suitable embassy/consulate.

Plan in advance: Renewal process is a time taking process. You may need time for documentations, possible interviews and processing. Therefore, it is recommended to start the renewal process much prior to the expiry of your travel permit to avoid the eleventh-hour hurdle.

You can enjoy your uninterrupted and legitimate stay in New Zealand without any trouble just by renewing your NZeTA in advance of its expiry.

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For the adventure enthusiasts who would like to camp out in New Zealand, we have made a few guidelines which you can follow and make your camping holiday a lifetime experience, so refer to this Tourist Guide to Camping in New Zealand for an adventurous camping experience.


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). Portuguese citizens, US citizens, Omani citizens, Uruguayan citizens and Canadian citizens can also apply online for New Zealand eTA.