NZeTA for Families: A Complete Guide to Applying with Children

Planning a family holiday to New Zealand is an exciting prospect — from the geothermal wonders of Rotorua to the beaches of the Bay of Islands and the adventures on offer in Queenstown, New Zealand has experiences that delight children and adults alike. But before the fun begins, every member of your family needs travel authorisation sorted. This guide answers every question families typically have about the NZeTA process.

Does Every Person in My Family Need Their Own NZeTA?

Yes — unequivocally. Every individual traveller, regardless of age, who holds a passport from an NZeTA-eligible country must have their own individual NZeTA. This includes:

• Adults (both parents or guardians)
• Teenagers travelling on their own passport
• Children of all ages — including toddlers and infants
• Babies who hold their own passport, even if they are just weeks old

There is no joint family application option and no group NZeTA. Each NZeTA is linked electronically to one specific passport. A family of four — two adults and two children — requires four separate NZeTA applications and four separate approvals.

How to Apply for a Child's NZeTA

The NZeTA application for a child works in exactly the same way as an adult application. A parent or legal guardian completes the form on behalf of the child. You do not need a separate account — simply complete a new application with the child's details. Here is what you will need:

• The child's own valid passport (children cannot be added to a parent's passport — all UK-issued passports are now individual)
• The child's full name exactly as shown in their passport
• The child's date of birth
• The child's passport number, nationality, and expiry date
• The child's country of birth
• Health and character declarations — answered on behalf of the child by the parent or guardian

The approved NZeTA for the child will be sent to the email address provided on the application form. We recommend using the same email address for all family members' applications so that approvals arrive in one place and are easier to track.

Passport Requirements for Children

Children's passports issued in the UK and most other eligible countries are valid for five years (compared to ten years for adults). When you apply, ensure that your child's passport:

• Is valid for the full duration of the planned stay in New Zealand
• Has at least six months of validity remaining beyond your return travel date (as required by most airlines)
• Has not been reported lost or stolen
• Is the same passport that will be presented at check-in and on arrival in New Zealand

If a child's passport expires and you renew it before your trip, you must apply for a new NZeTA linked to the new passport — even if the old NZeTA was still valid. The NZeTA is tied to a specific passport document, not to the person. For full details, review the NZeTA requirements page.

Do the Same NZeTA Benefits Apply to Children?

Yes. The same NZeTA entitlements that apply to adult travellers also apply to children. This means:

• UK children: Can stay up to 6 months per visit, just like UK adult passport holders, under the special UK–New Zealand bilateral arrangement
• Other nationalities: Children stay for up to 90 days per visit, the same as adults from those countries
• The NZeTA is valid for 2 years from approval, allowing multiple visits during that period
• Children can make multiple entries to New Zealand during the NZeTA's validity period

What About Newborns and Very Young Babies?

If your baby has their own passport, they need their own NZeTA — full stop. There is no age minimum. Even a newborn travelling to New Zealand requires an NZeTA if they hold a passport from an eligible country. If a baby does not yet have a passport at the time of booking, you should apply for their passport first and then apply for their NZeTA once the passport is issued.

Tips for Families Applying for Multiple NZeTAs

• Apply all at once: Set aside 30–45 minutes to apply for all family members in one session. Having everyone's passports open in front of you will make the process faster and reduce the chance of errors.
• Double-check all passport numbers: For each family member, read the passport number twice before submitting. This is the most common source of errors in family applications.
• Use one email address: Using the same email address for all applications means all approval emails arrive in one inbox — easier to manage at check-in and at the airport.
• Apply well in advance: With multiple applications to manage, apply at least 72–96 hours before your departure. Standard processing is 24–72 hours, but applying a few days early gives you time to resolve any issues without stress.
• Check passport expiry dates for all children: Children's passports expire after five years. It is easy to overlook this when planning a trip, especially if your child's passport was last renewed some time ago.
• Save all approval emails: Keep all the approval emails for each family member in a dedicated folder on your phone or in a printed travel wallet.

Ready to apply? Start with the Tourist NZeTA guide to understand what the authorisation covers, check the Processing & Fees page for the current costs, and then apply for each family member individually through our online application form.