You have submitted your NZeTA application and are waiting for confirmation — but nothing has arrived. This is a common concern, particularly for first-time applicants who are unsure what to expect or how long the process takes. This guide explains exactly how NZeTA approval is delivered, how to check your status, and what to do if your approval email has not arrived.
How NZeTA Approval Is Delivered
Unlike a physical visa stamp or sticker, the NZeTA is an entirely electronic document. There is no letter in the post, no download portal, and no account dashboard to log into. Your approval — or any other update about your application — is delivered exclusively by email to the address you provided when you applied.
The email will include your NZeTA reference number, the passport it is linked to, and the validity period. The approval is simultaneously registered in New Zealand's border management system, which airlines and immigration officers can verify at check-in and on arrival.
Step 1: Check Your Spam and Junk Folder
The single most common reason applicants cannot find their NZeTA approval is that the confirmation email has been filtered into the spam or junk folder. This happens particularly with Gmail, Outlook, and corporate email systems that apply aggressive filtering to automated messages.
- Your spam / junk mail folder
- Your "Promotions" or "Other" tabs (Gmail)
- Any email addresses you may have used if you have multiple accounts
- Whether your inbox is full and blocking new messages
Typical Wait Times by Processing Tier
If your email has not arrived, first check whether you are still within the expected processing window. Wait times vary depending on the processing speed you selected:
- Standard processing: 48–72 hours from the time of application
- Express processing: 12–24 hours
- Emergency processing: Same business day or next business day
If you are still within your selected processing window, your application is likely still being processed. For more detail on what affects turnaround times, read our NZeTA processing time guide.
What Does "Pending" Mean?
An NZeTA application enters a "pending" state after it has been submitted and payment has been taken. Most straightforward applications from eligible nationalities are processed automatically and approved within the standard window. However, some applications are flagged for manual review — this happens when:
- The applicant has declared a health condition in their application
- The applicant has declared a criminal history or prior immigration issues
- The automated system flags a potential identity match that needs human review
- The application contains information that cannot be instantly verified
Manual review applications take longer — sometimes several additional business days beyond the standard window. If your application is taking longer than expected, this is the most likely explanation. It does not mean your application has been declined.
How to Contact Support with Your Reference Number
If your processing window has passed and you have not received an approval or refusal email, the next step is to contact our support team. When you do, have the following ready:
- Your application reference number (from your payment confirmation email)
- The email address you used when applying
- Your passport number
- The processing tier you selected
Our team can look up your application and provide a status update. Visit our contact page to get in touch.
What to Do If Your Travel Is Imminent
If you are due to travel in the next 24–48 hours and your NZeTA has not arrived, take these steps immediately:
Check spam and all email folders — including every account you may have used. This resolves the majority of "missing approval" cases.
Contact support urgently — explain that your travel is imminent. For emergency processing applicants, priority support is available. See our processing and fees page for emergency options.
Arrive at the airport early — if you do have an approved NZeTA, airline check-in staff can verify it electronically using your passport number. You do not need to show a printed copy.
Do not assume the worst — a pending application is not a refused application. Many approvals arrive in the final hours before the standard processing window closes.
How Airlines Check Your NZeTA at Check-In
When you check in for your flight to New Zealand, the airline will verify your travel authorisation status electronically. They access New Zealand's border management system using your passport number and nationality — the same information stored when your NZeTA was approved. You are not required to present your NZeTA email, though keeping it accessible on your phone is recommended as a backup.
If the system shows your NZeTA as valid, you will be cleared to board. If it shows no valid authorisation, you will be asked to resolve the issue before you can check in. This is why confirming your NZeTA status well in advance of travel is so important.