Over 60 nationalities qualify for the New Zealand visa-waiver program. Check if your passport is eligible and apply for your NZeTA online in minutes.
Citizens of certain visa-waiver countries are eligible to apply for a New Zealand Electronic Travel Authority (NZeTA) instead of a traditional New Zealand visitor visa. The NZeTA is a mandatory electronic pre-travel authorisation required before boarding any flight or cruise ship bound for New Zealand.
The New Zealand visa-waiver program currently covers over 60 nationalities — including the United Kingdom, United States, Canada, all European Union member states, Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) nations, and several key Asia-Pacific countries. Citizens of these countries can visit New Zealand for tourism, business, or transit without the need for a standard visa.
Once approved, the NZeTA is valid for two years and allows multiple entries into New Zealand, with each stay lasting up to 90 days — or up to 6 months for UK citizens under the bilateral visa-waiver arrangement.
Some nationalities have special rules or exemptions under New Zealand's entry system. Read the notes below before applying.
British passport holders must apply for an NZeTA before travelling to New Zealand. Under the bilateral visa-waiver, UK citizens enjoy an extended stay of up to 6 months per visit, compared to 90 days for most others. The NZeTA is valid for 2 years with multiple entries.
United States passport holders must hold a valid NZeTA before boarding any flight to New Zealand. US citizens can stay up to 90 days per visit for tourism or business. The NZeTA is applied for online and approved within 24–72 hours.
Australian citizens and permanent residents are exempt from the NZeTA requirement. Under the Trans-Tasman Travel Arrangement, Australians can enter and live in New Zealand indefinitely without a visa or ETA. Only an Australian passport is needed.
All cruise ship passengers — regardless of nationality — must obtain an NZeTA before their vessel arrives in New Zealand waters. This applies even to passengers from non-visa-waiver countries and those who will not disembark. Learn more →
Browse the complete list of New Zealand visa-waiver countries below. Click your region to jump to the relevant section.
Citizens of the following countries cannot apply for an NZeTA and must instead apply for a standard New Zealand Visitor Visa through Immigration New Zealand.
Indian passport holders must apply for a standard New Zealand Visitor Visa.
Chinese passport holders are not on the NZ visa-waiver list and require a visitor visa.
Filipino passport holders must obtain a New Zealand Visitor Visa before travel.
Pakistani passport holders require a standard visitor visa for New Zealand.
Bangladeshi passport holders are not eligible for the NZeTA and require a visa.
Nigerian passport holders must apply for a New Zealand Visitor Visa through Immigration NZ.
South African passport holders are not on the visa-waiver list and need a visitor visa.
Thai passport holders are not eligible for the NZeTA and require a standard visa.
Russian passport holders must apply for a New Zealand Visitor Visa before travelling.
If your country is not on the visa-waiver list, visit Immigration New Zealand to apply for a standard Visitor Visa.
Answers to the most searched questions about New Zealand ETA country eligibility.