Everything Vatican City citizens need to know before applying for the New Zealand Electronic Travel Authority online.
Since 1 October 2019, Vatican City citizens must hold an approved New Zealand eTA (NZeTA) before travelling to New Zealand. As one of the 60 visa waiver countries, Vatican City enjoys visa-free travel for short stays of up to 90 days — the eTA is a quick online travel authorization, not a visa, and most applications are approved within about 10 minutes.
Citizens of Vatican City, the world's smallest state, are fully covered by New Zealand's visa waiver programme. At the other end of the scale awaits a country of vast fiords, alpine ranges and geothermal valleys — with the same simple online eTA process that applies to all 60 visa waiver countries.
Yes. Vatican City passport holders do not need a visa for visits of up to 90 days, but every traveller from Vatican City — including children and infants — must obtain an approved NZeTA before departure. Once approved, the eTA is linked electronically to your passport, which removes the need for embassy appointments and passport stamps: airlines verify it at check-in and New Zealand border officials confirm it on arrival.
The requirement applies to every way of entering the country. Cruise passengers need a valid NZeTA just like travellers arriving by air, and Vatican City citizens transiting through Auckland International Airport to a destination outside New Zealand also need one, even if they never leave the transit area. Crew members of airlines and cruise lines need a separate crew eTA arranged with their employer.
Families travelling together must provide the passport details of every member and submit an individual NZeTA application for each traveller, including minors.
The NZeTA requirements for Vatican City are simple. Before starting the online application, make sure you have:
Accuracy matters: every detail must match your passport exactly. Incorrect or incomplete information is the most common cause of delays and can lead to rejection.
Vatican City citizens can complete the online NZeTA application from a smartphone, computer or tablet in about 10 minutes — from home or the office, with no embassy visit:
Provide your personal details (full name, date of birth, address), passport details (number, nationality, expiry date), travel plans (arrival and departure dates, accommodation) and short health and character declarations.
Pay the application fee together with the International Visitor Conservation and Tourism Levy (IVL) — New Zealand's contribution toward protecting its natural environment and tourism infrastructure — using a credit or debit card.
Your approved NZeTA arrives as a PDF at the email address you provided and is linked electronically to your Vatican City passport. Carry a printout with your passport when you travel.
Most NZeTA applications from Vatican City 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 can be used for multiple trips to New Zealand with stays of up to 90 days each. If you renew your Vatican City passport, you will need a new eTA linked to the new passport, and dual nationals must always travel on the passport used in the application.
No visa is needed for short stays. Vatican City is one of the 60 visa waiver countries, so Vatican City citizens can visit New Zealand for up to 90 days without a visa. However, since 1 October 2019 every Vatican City traveller must hold an approved NZeTA (New Zealand Electronic Travel Authority) before departure.
The online application form takes about 10 minutes to complete, and most NZeTA applications from Vatican City 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 Vatican City passport expires, whichever comes first. It allows multiple entries with stays of up to 90 days per visit.
Yes. Every traveller, including children and infants, needs their own approved eTA. Families must submit a separate application with the passport details of each family member.
No. The NZeTA is an electronic travel authorization for citizens of visa waiver countries, including Vatican City. It is applied for online in minutes and linked to your passport. Travellers who plan to stay beyond the visa waiver period need a visitor visa instead.