NEW ZEALAND · ENTRY REQUIREMENTSNEW ZEALAND · ENTRY REQUIREMENTS
Apply for a New Zealand Electronic Travel Authority
The New Zealand Electronic Travel Authority (NZeTA) is a digital entry authorization for eligible passport holders traveling for tourism, business, or transit. It is electronically linked to your passport, requiring no physical stamps or printed documents.
Do I Need an eTA?
Three common situations. Find the one that matches your travel before continuing.
You are visiting for tourism, business, or a short trip
If you hold an eligible passport and travel by air or sea, you need an NZeTA. It must be requested and approved prior to your departure, as it cannot be obtained on arrival.
You plan to work, study long-term, or settle in New Zealand
An NZeTA does not permit employment, study exceeding three months, or residency. You must obtain the appropriate work, student, or resident visa before travelling.
View visa options on immigration.govt.nz →
You are a New Zealand or Australian citizen
You are exempt from this process. New Zealand citizens do not need an NZeTA, and Australian citizens may enter and live in New Zealand freely without any online application.
NZeTA not required
Eligible Nationalities
The New Zealand Electronic Travel Authority is available to passport holders from visa-waiver countries, as well as all cruise ship passengers regardless of nationality. Eligibility is reviewed periodically, so please confirm your country's status on the official government website before applying.
An applicant is likely eligible if:
- ✓They hold a passport from an eligible country (see list).
- ✓The purpose of travel is tourism, business, family visits, or transit.
- ✓The intended length of stay does not exceed three months per visit.
An eTA is not required if:
- ✕The applicant holds New Zealand citizenship.
- ✕The applicant already holds a valid New Zealand visa.
- ✕The applicant is entering by land or sea and their nationality is visa-exempt for those modes.
Advantages of Applying Through Our Service
| Service | Immigration New Zealand (official) | Service eVisa |
|---|---|---|
| Application accessible 24 hours a day, 365 days a year | | |
| No registration or user account required |  | |
| Application reviewed by caseworkers before submission | | |
| Free corrections to any field before submission | | |
| Multilingual customer assistance by email | | |
| Alerts for missing or inconsistent information | | |
| Encrypted submission and data handling | | |
| Document recovery in the event of loss | | |
Travelling to New Zealand
The following information is intended as general guidance for nationals of eligible countries travelling under the NZeTA scheme. It does not constitute legal advice. For authoritative guidance, please refer directly to Immigration New Zealand.
Permitted Activities Under the eTA
The NZeTA authorises short visits to New Zealand for the following activities:
- Tourism and visits to family or friends
- Business meetings, conferences, and short-term work-related activities not constituting employment in New Zealand
- Transit through Auckland International Airport (up to 24 hours)
- Short courses of study not exceeding three months
Paid employment and long-term study are not permitted. Travellers intending to do so must apply for the appropriate visa before travel.
Documents Required on Arrival
Immigration New Zealand officers at ports of entry may request supporting documentation in addition to a valid passport and NZeTA. Travellers are advised to carry the following:
- Evidence of accommodation arrangements (hotel booking, address of host, or similar).
- A return or onward travel ticket, or a cruise itinerary, where applicable.
- Evidence of sufficient funds - generally around NZD $1,000 per month of stay.
- Where the purpose of travel is business, an invitation letter from the host organisation.
Please note that an approved NZeTA does not guarantee entry to New Zealand. Final admission is determined exclusively by an Immigration New Zealand officer at the point of entry.
Health Provisions for Visitors
New Zealand's public healthcare system does not cover short-term visitors, making all medical costs the responsibility of the traveller.
Visitors are strongly advised to hold comprehensive travel insurance, as the local Accident Compensation Corporation (ACC) scheme only covers accidental injuries, excluding medical illnesses, cancellations, or lost luggage.
Customs and Prohibited Goods
New Zealand enforces some of the world's strictest biosecurity rules. Travelers must declare all food, plant material, animal products, and outdoor equipment, including items in contact with soil or freshwater. Detailed guidelines are published by the New Zealand Customs Service and the Ministry for Primary Industries.
Climatic Conditions
New Zealand has a temperate climate with conditions that differ between the North and South Islands and by season:
- Summer (Dec–Feb): Warm and settled across most of the country.
- Autumn (Mar–May): Mild, with cooler evenings.
- Winter (Jun–Aug): Cool and wet; cold and snowy in alpine and southern areas.
- Spring (Sep–Nov): Variable, often windy. Note: New Zealand's summer is December to February.
Visitors are advised to check regional forecasts before travel.
Connectivity and Practical Matters
- New Zealand uses 230 V / 50 Hz electricity with Type I plugs.
- Mobile network coverage is comprehensive in urban areas; rural and northern coverage may be limited.
- The currency is the New Zealand Dollar (NZD); card payments are widely accepted.
- Driving is on the left-hand side of the road.
VALIDITY
2 years, or until passport expiry
PERMITTED STAY
Up to 3 months (6 months for UK passport holders)
MODES OF TRAVEL
Air and cruise ship
ISSUING AUTHORITY
Immigration New Zealand
- ›Valid passport from an eligible nationality
- ›A current email address
- ›A debit or credit card for payment
- ›Travel itinerary, where applicable
Frequently Asked Questions
No. The NZeTA is not a visa - it is a pre-travel authorisation electronically linked to your passport that lets visa-waiver travellers visit New Zealand for short stays (and all cruise passengers). On arrival you are issued a visitor visa.
Service eVisa is an independent online platform that assists travellers with their NZeTA applications. We review each submission for errors, provide multilingual support, and handle the process on your behalf. Our service is separate from Immigration New Zealand and charges an additional processing fee for the assistance provided.
Many NZeTA requests are approved within minutes, but some require additional checks that can take up to 72 hours. We recommend applying at least a few days before your intended travel date to allow for any delays.
Yes. Our multilingual customer support team is available by email to answer questions about the application process, required documents, or the status of your submission. You can reach us through the contact page on our website.
If your NZeTA request is refused, we will notify you of the decision and provide guidance on alternative options, such as applying for the appropriate visitor visa. The government fee is non-refundable. Please note that the service fee covers the review and processing carried out on your behalf and is non-refundable, and the NZD $100 IVL is also non-refundable.
The official NZeTA channel requires you to apply independently through the Immigration New Zealand website or app. Service eVisa offers additional support including application review by caseworkers, error correction before submission, multilingual assistance, and dedicated customer support.
Need Help?Our support team provides dedicated assistance for online NZeTA enquiries. Their role is to simplify the process and help travellers obtain the necessary authorisation with confidence.
Please note that the NZeTA is an official New Zealand Government product, that the NZD $100 IVL is mandatory and paid alongside it, and that an approval through NZeTA does not guarantee entry - final admission is decided by an Immigration New Zealand officer on arrival.