Since 1 October 2019, I-Kiribati citizens must hold an approved NZeTA to transit through Auckland International Airport. Kiribati is on New Zealand's transit visa waiver list: no transit visa is needed for passing through Auckland, but the transit eTA is mandatory — and it is applied for online in about 10 minutes.
Flights linking Tarawa with the wider world frequently connect through Auckland, the Pacific's busiest international hub.
Important: for I-Kiribati citizens the NZeTA covers airport transit only. To enter New Zealand — even for one night — you need a visitor visa from Immigration New Zealand. The transit eTA does not allow you to pass through border control.
Yes — for transit. Every I-Kiribati passenger whose journey connects through Auckland International Airport on the way to another country must hold an approved transit NZeTA before departure, even when remaining airside the whole time. Airlines check the eTA at check-in, and boarding is refused without it.
The requirement applies to every transiting traveller regardless of age: children and infants each need their own eTA, and families must submit an individual NZeTA application with each member's passport details.
Before starting the online application, make sure you have:
I-Kiribati citizens can complete the online application from a smartphone, computer or tablet in about 10 minutes:
Provide your personal details (full name, date of birth, address), passport details (number, nationality, expiry date), travel plans and short health and character declarations.
Pay the application fee securely online using a credit or debit card, then submit your application for processing.
Your approved transit NZeTA arrives as a PDF at the email address you provided and is linked electronically to your Kiribati passport. Carry a copy when you travel.
Most transit NZeTA applications from Kiribati are approved within about 10 minutes; in some cases additional checks can take up to 72 hours. Apply at least 3 working days before departure to leave comfortable time for processing.
Once granted, the eTA is valid for 2 years — or until your passport expires, whichever comes first — and covers unlimited transits through Auckland. If you renew your passport, you will need a new eTA linked to the new passport.
No. For I-Kiribati citizens the NZeTA is a transit-only authorization: it allows you to pass through Auckland International Airport on the way to another country. To enter New Zealand — even for a short stay — I-Kiribati citizens must apply for a visitor visa through Immigration New Zealand.
The online application form takes about 10 minutes to complete, and most transit NZeTA applications from Kiribati are approved within about 10 minutes. In some cases additional checks can extend processing up to 72 hours, so apply at least 3 working days before your flight.
The NZeTA is valid for 2 years from approval, or until your passport expires, whichever comes first, and covers unlimited transits through Auckland during that period.
Yes. Every transiting passenger, including children and infants, needs their own approved eTA. Families must submit a separate application with the passport details of each member.
The NZeTA is linked electronically to your passport, so airlines and border officials can verify it automatically. However, it is recommended to carry a printout or digital copy of the approval PDF in case it is requested during your journey.
Complete the online application in about 10 minutes — your approved eTA arrives by email as a PDF.
Start Application