Crew of fishing vessels, private yachts and planes
Crew of fishing vessels and private craft must have an NZeTA or visa before they can come to New Zealand.
Crew who do not need a visa, an NZeTA or a Crew ETA
Crew do not need a visa, an NZeTA (New Zealand Electronic Travel Authority) or a Crew ETA (Electronic Travel Authority) if they are:
- travelling on New Zealand or Australian passports
- coming to New Zealand on a private or commercial aircraft that is not a scheduled service.
Travellers who do not need an NZeTA
Private aircraft crew
Crew arriving in New Zealand on a private aircraft are deemed to hold a visa. They do not need an NZeTA or a Crew ETA.
Crew who need visa documents
Fishing vessel crew
The crew of fishing vessels working in New Zealand waters must have a work visa.
Private yacht crew
Crew of private yachts cannot apply for a Crew ETA, but they must have:
- an NZeTA if they are from a visa waiver country
- a visa if they are from another country.
Visa waiver countries and territories
Private Yacht or Plane Visitor Visa
Other commercial vessels
Crew travelling to New Zealand on a commercial vessel that has not already been listed must have an NZeTA or visa, unless they:
- hold a current New Zealand visa, or
- are an Australian or New Zealand citizen.
If crew members intend to work in New Zealand's Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), they must hold a visa to do so.
Most crew of passenger planes, cruise ships and cargo ships need a Crew ETA, which their employer requests for them.
Crew of planes, cruise ships and cargo ships
New Zealand Electronic Travel Authority
Crew joining a Ship or Plane Visitor Visa
You do not need to apply for the Crew joining a Ship or Plane Visitor Visa if you have a Crew ETA and will be in New Zealand for less than 7 days (airline crew) or less than 35 days (cruise ship and cargo ship crew).