France is part of New Zealand's visa-waiver programme. French passport holders must apply for an NZeTA before travel — not a visa — and may stay up to 90 days per visit in one of the world's most stunning destinations.
Apply for NZeTA NowFrance and New Zealand maintain strong diplomatic and trade relations. France is a significant European trading partner for New Zealand, particularly in agriculture, wine, and aerospace. The bilateral relationship has been reinforced over decades, resulting in France's long-standing inclusion in New Zealand's visa-waiver list for holders of French passports.
France governs French Polynesia, Wallis and Futuna, and New Caledonia — all located in the Pacific region near New Zealand. This Pacific presence creates a natural cultural and geographic affinity, and many French citizens travel to New Zealand as part of broader Pacific itineraries, often stopping in Tahiti or Noumea before or after visiting New Zealand.
France is a stable, high-income democracy with an excellent passport ranking. French travellers consistently demonstrate high compliance with New Zealand entry requirements, maintaining the trusted-traveller status that qualifies French passport holders for the visa-waiver programme.
Everything French passport holders need to complete their NZeTA application successfully.
Your French passport must be valid for at least 3 months beyond your planned departure from New Zealand. Check the expiry before applying.
A working email address is required — your NZeTA approval is delivered exclusively by email, not as a physical stamp or printed document.
Credit or debit card to pay the NZeTA fee, which includes the International Visitor Conservation and Tourism Levy (IVL).
Answer health and character questions honestly. Significant health conditions or criminal convictions may require a full visa application instead.
Fill in your personal details, French passport information, and travel plans. The entire form takes 5–10 minutes on any device.
Enter your French passport number and expiry date. The NZeTA is electronically linked to this specific passport — no physical copy is issued.
Pay securely online. The fee covers the NZeTA processing charge and the IVL conservation levy, payable in a single transaction.
Most French applicants receive their NZeTA approval within 24–72 hours. The approval is linked to your passport — present your passport at airport check-in.
Practical advice for French passport holders planning a visit to New Zealand — from Paris CDG connections to wine country and Pacific routing.
From Paris Charles de Gaulle (CDG), the journey to Auckland typically takes around 24 hours with one stop. The most popular routing is via Singapore on Air France codeshare or Singapore Airlines. An alternative popular option is via Dubai on Emirates, which offers convenient connections from Paris CDG and Lyon. Some French travellers also route via Doha on Qatar Airways. Budget for a total journey of 22–26 hours depending on your connection timing.
French visitors with a passion for wine and food will find New Zealand unexpectedly rewarding. The Marlborough wine region produces world-renowned Sauvignon Blanc, while Central Otago is celebrated for Pinot Noir. Hawke's Bay is New Zealand's oldest wine region with strong French varietals. New Zealand's culinary scene has matured significantly, with fresh seafood, artisan cheeses, and farm-to-table restaurants in Wellington and Auckland earning international recognition.
Many French citizens travel to New Zealand as part of a wider Pacific journey, taking advantage of France's territories in the region. Air Tahiti Nui and Air France offer connections via Papeete (Tahiti) to Auckland, a route with particular appeal for French travellers wanting to combine New Caledonia, French Polynesia, and New Zealand in one extended Pacific journey. Note that each destination requires its own travel authorisation.