Some people can use an NZeTA to travel to New Zealand without applying for a visa first. This depends on your passport, how you are travelling and if you are visiting or only transiting.
2 years for travellers
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Check if you need an NZeTA or a visa before travelling to New Zealand.
Most travellers need either an NZeTA or a visa to travel to New Zealand. This depends on the passport you are travelling on, and if you will be a visitor or a Glossary for transit passenger.
Check if you need an NZeTA or a visa
You can use your NZeTA to travel to New Zealand multiple times while it is valid. An NZeTA is valid for 2 years for travellers, or 5 years for crew members.
You may not be allowed to visit or transit New Zealand if you do not meet the good character requirements. If you are not sure you will meet the requirements — for example you have a criminal conviction — you should apply for a visa and have one before you travel. Check the character requirements under 'What you need to apply'.
'Visiting' means you are entering and staying in New Zealand as a visitor.
If you are passing through a New Zealand airport — other than Auckland International Airport — on your way to another country, you will be a visitor because you have to enter New Zealand.
If you already have a current New Zealand visa, you do not need an NZeTA.
If you give the wrong information in your NZeTA request, we may give you an NZeTA that only lets you transit through Auckland International Airport as a Glossary for transit passenger — you cannot visit New Zealand as a transit passenger.
If you are arriving by sea as a cruise ship passenger, you must have an NZeTA — unless you are on the list of travellers who do not need an NZeTA. You can be any nationality, you do not need to be a citizen of a visa waiver country.
From 1 April 2025, if you will arrive by sea as a cargo ship passenger you must have an NZeTA. You must apply for an NZeTA before your ship departs for New Zealand.
If you are travelling on a passport from a visa waiver country, you must have an NZeTA — unless you are:
If you are travelling on an Australian passport, you do not need a visa or NZeTA before you travel. We will normally give you an Australian Resident Visa when you arrive — but you must meet the character requirements of this visa.
You may not be allowed to travel to New Zealand if you do not meet the good character requirements. If you are not sure you will meet requirements — for example you have a criminal conviction or have been deported before — you should apply for a visa and have one before you travel.
If you are an Australian permanent resident wanting to visit New Zealand, you must have an NZeTA — unless you are on the list of travellers who do not need an NZeTA.
You also need:
You must have a valid visa before you travel to New Zealand, if you are:
If you are coming to New Zealand for medical treatment or consultation, you need to apply for a Medical Treatment Visitor Visa, not an NZeTA.
Medical Treatment Visitor Visa
Travellers who do not need an NZeTA
When you arrive at the New Zealand border with your NZeTA, we may give you a visa that lets you stay:
We usually give Australian permanent residents and citizens an Australian Resident Visa.
Your visa expires when the 3 months or 6 months have passed — or if you leave earlier. When you arrive in New Zealand next time with an NZeTA, we give you a new visitor visa.
You can only be in New Zealand for up to 6 months within any 12-month period. This period is the 12 months counting back from your intended departure date (when you plan on leaving New Zealand).
You are travelling on a passport from Canada. This means you can stay in New Zealand for visits of up to 3 months. You visit for the first time for 3 months, from 1 January 2023 to 31 March 2023. After your visit, you return home.
You decide you want to make a second visit, again for 3 months. You plan to arrive in New Zealand on 1 July 2023, and leave on 30 September 2023 (your intended departure date). This means you will be in New Zealand for a total of 6 months in the period 1 October 2022 to 30 September 2023 — this is the 12-month period counting back from your intended departure date.
You can make this visit because you will be in New Zealand for no more than 6 months in that 12-month period. Refer to Figure 1.
After your second visit you return home. You decide you want to visit New Zealand again for the whole month of November 2023.
You cannot make this third visit because you will be in New Zealand for a total of 7 months in the period 1 December 2022 to 30 November 2023 — this is the 12-month period counting back from your intended departure date. You can only spend a total of 6 months in New Zealand in any 12-month period. Refer to Figure 2.
Some travellers can use an NZeTA to transit Auckland International airport as a Glossary for transit passenger on their way to another country. You can stay in the transit area for up to 24 hours and cannot visit New Zealand. Auckland International Airport is the only airport in New Zealand where you can be a transit passenger.
If you are passing through a different New Zealand airport on your way to another country, you will be a visitor not a transit passenger. This is because there is no transit area, so you have to enter New Zealand. Refer back to the section on 'Visiting New Zealand'.
Check who needs an NZeTA, a Transit Visa or neither to transit through New Zealand.
You need to get a Crew ETA through your employer if you are a crew member of a:
From 1 April 2025, you will need a Crew ETA if you are a crew member of a cargo ship or a foreign ship authorised under the Maritime Transport Act 1994 to carry costal cargo. This includes if you will fly to New Zealand to join your ship. Your employer can request your Crew ETA now.
Crew of planes, cruise ships and cargo ships
After you request an NZeTA you can check its status or update your details.
How to request a change to your NZeTA
We usually process NZeTA requests within 72 hours — many are processed faster, but some may take longer. To avoid delays, you should request an NZeTA well before you travel.
The criteria and evidence below will provide you with the information you need to meet the requirements of an NZeTA.
We use your passport details to check your identity.
You may not be allowed to check in to your flight if your passport is close to expiring. Check that it will not expire while you are in New Zealand or close to when you plan to leave New Zealand.
You must be of good health. When you request your NZeTA you will be asked whether you are coming to New Zealand for medical consultation or treatment.
If you want to come for medical consultation or treatment, you need to apply for a ‘Medical Treatment Visitor Visa’ before travelling to New Zealand.
When you request your NZeTA, you will be asked some questions about your character.
You may not meet our good character requirements if any of the following apply:
If you are visiting New Zealand, you must meet all the requirements to get a visa and entry permission.
You must not be a person described in sections 15 and 16 of the Immigration Act 2009:
Section 16 Certain other persons not eligible for visa or entry permission – New Zealand Legislation
Australian citizens and permanent residents who are visiting New Zealand must meet the character requirements of the Australian Resident Visa.
Australian Resident Visa
Other visitors must meet the character requirements for temporary visas.
Good character for temporary visas
If we have reason to believe you are not of good character, you will not receive a NZeTA.
People who may be considered a risk to New Zealand’s security, public order or public interest, include those who are registered sex offenders or associated with a gang.
If we have reason to believe you are not of good character, we can stop you from travelling to New Zealand at check-in, or refuse you Glossary for entry permission when you get here.
If you are not sure you will meet our requirements for good character, you should apply for a visa before coming to New Zealand.
We use your passport to check your citizenship when you request your NZeTA.
We use your passport to check your citizenship when you request your NZeTA.
If you are from any other country, you can get an NZeTA if you are passing through Auckland International Airport as a transit passenger on your way to or from Australia.
Transit passengers must remain in the transit area at Auckland International Airport.
We use your passport to check your citizenship when you request your NZeTA.
You must have at least NZD$1,000 for each month of your stay, or if you have already paid for your accommodation, NZD$400 for each month of your stay.
You may be asked for evidence you will have access to your funds when you check-in or arrive in New Zealand.
If you are pregnant, there are additional requirements.
You cannot meet the funds requirement for visa waiver travel by arranging a sponsor. If you want to arrange Glossary for sponsorship, you have to apply for a visa before you travel to New Zealand.
When you check-in, you will be asked to present your travel ticket out of New Zealand to a Glossary for country you have the right to enter.
Your departure date must be within 3 months of your arrival, or if you are from the United Kingdom, within 6 months.
If after you leave New Zealand you will be travelling to a country that also has an onward travel requirement, we may ask to see that ticket too.
Your tickets must be paid for before your travel.
If you will be leaving on a private craft or cruise ship, we will accept a letter from the craft owner or a cruise itinerary as proof of your travel arrangements.
If your only reason for coming to New Zealand is to renew a visa for another country, we recommend that you apply for a visa before travelling.
We will check our records to see how much time you have spent in New Zealand.
If you do not meet this requirement, you must apply for a visitor visa and have it before you travel to New Zealand.
To travel to New Zealand with an NZeTA, your family must:
Genuine intentions to visit, study or work in NZ
Evidence that you are a genuine visitor
If family members do not meet the requirements they should apply for a visa before visiting New Zealand.
Find out the process, timeframes and costs of requesting an NZeTA, based on your passport and if you are visiting or transiting. Visitors must pay an International Visitor Conservation and Tourism Levy (IVL).
We cannot display any process or costs information until you have provided your personal details. Enter your details in the panel above to view information relevant to your situation.
Enter personal detailsYou need to apply for entry permission and meet the conditions of the visa we give you.
All travellers visiting New Zealand must complete a traveller declaration before arriving.
As part of the declaration, you apply for a visa and Glossary for entry permission. We check your identity and other information to make a decision.
You can complete the traveller declaration online up to 24 hours before your trip to New Zealand starts. Find out how to submit your declaration on the New Zealand Traveller Declaration website.
New Zealand Traveller Declaration
If you are a Glossary for transit passenger at Auckland International Airport, you do not have to complete a traveller declaration. This is because you cannot leave the transit area to visit New Zealand.
If we decide you meet the requirements, we give you a visa.
Australian permanent residents may get an Australian Resident Visa.
If you are a citizen of a visa waiver country, we may give you a Visa Waiver Visitor Visa to stay up to 3 months — or 6 months for UK citizens.
If you are arriving by cruise or cargo ship you will be Glossary for deemed to hold a visitor visa.
If you are in New Zealand now and want to stay longer, you need to get another visa.
If you are in New Zealand now and want to stay longer than the conditions of your visa, you must apply for another visa and have it before your current visa expires.
Find the visa that is best for you.
You can be deported if you stay in New Zealand after your visa expires. If you are deported you risk not being able to return to New Zealand in the future.