New Zealand eTA - Electronic Travel Authority

About The NZeTA

What Is The New Zealand Electronic Travel Authority?

The Electronic Travel Authority of New Zealand is a prominent and well-known electronic visa waiver, launched in August 2019. Travellers who meet the eligibility criteria can easily get their New Zealand eTA online to visit this wonderful nation.

Since 1 October 2019, residents of the 60 visa waiver countries, along with all travellers arriving by cruise, must carry a valid eTA to travel to New Zealand. Airline and cruise line crew members also need a valid eTA before travelling.

Once approved, the NZeTA is electronically linked to the passport used in the application, so there is no need for a passport stamp or a visit to a New Zealand embassy. Border officials verify the travel authorization automatically when you check in for your flight or cruise, which makes arrival in New Zealand faster and simpler.

Simple online application — no embassy or consulate visit needed
Approved eTA sent to you by email, usually within 10 minutes
Valid for 2 years and can be used for multiple visits
Includes the IVL (International Visitor Conservation and Tourism Levy), which protects New Zealand's natural environment and tourism infrastructure

New Zealand eTA Visa sample — Sample of an approved New Zealand eTA

How It Works

Get Your eTA In Three Simple Steps

While submitting the online application form, you will answer a few questions covering your personal information — full name, contact details, address, date of birth, passport details, nationality and travel plans — plus a short health and security section.

1

Fill The Online Form

Complete the short application form online in just a few minutes. No embassy or consulate visit is required at any point.

2

Pay & Submit

Pay the processing fee and tourist levy (IVL) securely online, then submit your application for review.

3

Receive Your eTA

Your approved eTA is sent to you via email — most applications are approved within 10 minutes, and in some cases it can take up to 72 hours.

Requirements

New Zealand eTA Requirements

The requirements for a New Zealand eTA application are deliberately simple. Before you begin the online form, make sure you have the following documents and details at hand — complete and accurate information is the best way to avoid processing delays.

Documents You Need

A passport from an eligible visa waiver country, valid for at least 3 months after your planned departure from New Zealand
A valid credit or debit card to pay the application fee and the IVL tourist levy online
A current email address where your approved eTA will be delivered
Dual nationals must apply with the passport they will travel on

Information You Provide

Personal details — full name, date of birth and residential address
Passport details — passport number, nationality and expiry date
Travel plans — arrival and departure dates and accommodation
Short health and character declarations, including any criminal convictions
Each family member, including children, needs their own eTA application

Eligibility

Why Is An eTA Required While Visiting New Zealand?

Residents of several nations can visit New Zealand without a visa for 3 months (180 days for UK citizens). Since 1 October 2019, residents of the 60 visa waiver nations must apply for an NZeTA before their visit. A valid eTA must be shown to border authorities before entering New Zealand as part of the security screening of every visitor. Check the full list of eligible countries below — if your country has a dedicated page, select it for detailed, nationality-specific eTA requirements.

All European Union Citizens Including

Select your country to view detailed eTA requirements:

Other Countries Under The Visa Waiver List

Transit Visa Waiver Countries

Good To Know

The Further Specifications For NZeTA

Crew Members & Australians

All crew members of airlines and cruise lines, of any nationality, are required to obtain a valid NZeTA before travelling to New Zealand. For crew, the document is valid for five years.

The government of New Zealand exempts Australian citizens from the eTA requirement. Australian permanent residents of other nationalities need to apply for the eTA but do not pay the tourist levy (IVL).

Exemptions From The eTA Requirement

The further exemptions provided by the New Zealand eTA visa waiver comprise the following:

Passengers and crew members of cruise ships
Cargo ship crew members
Guests and delegates of the New Zealand Government
Foreign citizen travellers under the Antarctic Treaty

Validity & Fees

NZeTA Validity, Entry Rules & The IVL Levy

An approved New Zealand eTA is valid for 2 years from the date it is granted, or until the passport it is linked to expires, whichever comes first. During that period it can be used for multiple entries into New Zealand, making it convenient for repeat holidays, business trips and family visits without reapplying each time.

Each visit allows a stay of up to 3 months for most nationalities, while citizens of the United Kingdom can remain for up to 6 months per visit. The NZeTA covers tourism, visiting friends and relatives, short business trips and transiting through New Zealand on the way to another destination — including transit through Auckland International Airport.

When you apply, the application fee is paid together with the International Visitor Conservation and Tourism Levy (IVL). The IVL is a contribution introduced by the New Zealand government that funds conservation of the country's natural environment and the tourism infrastructure visitors rely on. Once paid, the IVL remains effective for as long as your NZeTA is valid — you do not pay it again for each trip.

Most applications are approved within about 10 minutes, though some can take up to 72 hours if additional checks are needed. To be safe, submit your NZeTA application at least 3 days before your departure, double-check that every detail matches your passport exactly, and keep an eye on the email address you provided — your approved travel authorization is delivered there as a PDF.

FAQ

New Zealand eTA — Frequently Asked Questions

What is the New Zealand eTA (NZeTA)?

The New Zealand eTA (Electronic Travel Authority) is an official travel authorization introduced in August 2019 for citizens of 60 visa waiver countries. It is applied for online, electronically linked to your passport, and required for entering New Zealand by air or cruise ship since 1 October 2019.

Who needs a New Zealand eTA?

Citizens of the 60 visa waiver countries travelling to New Zealand for tourism, business or transit need an NZeTA, as do all cruise ship passengers regardless of nationality and airline or cruise crew members. Australian citizens are exempt; Australian permanent residents need an eTA but do not pay the IVL.

How long does NZeTA approval take?

Most NZeTA applications are approved within about 10 minutes. In some cases additional checks can extend processing up to 72 hours, so it is recommended to apply at least 3 days before your departure. The approved eTA is sent to your email as a PDF.

How long is the NZeTA valid?

The NZeTA is valid for 2 years from approval, or until the linked passport expires, whichever comes first. It allows multiple entries, with stays of up to 3 months per visit for most nationalities and up to 6 months for UK citizens. For airline and cruise crew, the eTA is valid for 5 years.

What is the IVL (International Visitor Conservation and Tourism Levy)?

The IVL is a levy paid together with the NZeTA application fee. It funds the protection of New Zealand's natural environment and the development of tourism infrastructure. One IVL payment stays effective for the full validity of your eTA and covers all your visits during that period.

Do children need their own New Zealand eTA?

Yes. Every traveller, including children and infants, must hold their own approved eTA. When travelling as a family, each member's passport details must be submitted in a separate application.

Do I need an eTA if I am only transiting through New Zealand?

Yes. Travellers from visa waiver and transit visa waiver countries who pass through Auckland International Airport on the way to another destination must hold a valid NZeTA, even if they never leave the transit area.

What documents do I need to apply for the NZeTA online?

You need a passport from an eligible country valid for at least 3 months beyond your departure date, a credit or debit card to pay the fee and IVL, and a working email address. The online form also asks brief health and character questions.

Apply For Your New Zealand eTA Online