A step-by-step guide to applying for the New Zealand Electronic Travel Authority (NZeTA) from Latvia. The whole process takes under 10 minutes online.
Start Your ApplicationThe NZeTA is available to Latvian citizens holding a Latvian passport. If you are a permanent resident of Latvia but hold a passport from a different country that is not on the NZeTA eligible list, you are not eligible for the NZeTA and must apply for a standard New Zealand visitor visa. Please ensure you are travelling on a valid Latvian passport before applying.
Latvia is part of New Zealand's visa-waiver programme for its citizens. Latvian passport holders do not need a traditional visitor visa — the NZeTA is the simpler, faster alternative. You can stay up to 90 days per visit for tourism, business, or transit purposes.
Latvia is a Baltic state and EU member country that joined the Schengen Area in 2007. Latvian passport holders benefit from strong global travel access, and New Zealand has included Latvia in its NZeTA visa-waiver programme for citizens. It is important to understand that eligibility for the NZeTA is granted to Latvian citizens — those holding a valid Latvian passport. Permanent residents of Latvia who hold passports from non-eligible countries must apply for a standard New Zealand visitor visa instead.
For eligible Latvian citizens, the NZeTA is a convenient online pre-travel authorisation that enables entry to New Zealand for tourism, business visits, attending events, family visits, and transiting through New Zealand airports. Each visit may last up to 90 days, and the NZeTA is valid for two years from the date of issue with multiple entry. The application is fully online and can be completed from Riga, Daugavpils, or anywhere in Latvia in under 10 minutes, with approval typically issued within 24 to 72 hours.
Complete your NZeTA application in under 10 minutes from anywhere in Latvia.
Go to the online NZeTA application form. You can apply from any device — phone, tablet or computer — from anywhere in Latvia.
Enter your Latvian passport details exactly as they appear. Ensure you are travelling on a Latvian citizen passport, not a residency document.
Answer the health and character declaration questions honestly. Most Latvian applicants receive quick approval without complications.
Pay securely online. The fee covers the NZeTA service charge and the IVL conservation and tourism levy required by New Zealand.
Your NZeTA approval arrives by email within 24–72 hours. Airlines verify it electronically at check-in — no printed copy required.
Only Latvian citizens (holding a Latvian passport) are eligible for the NZeTA. Permanent residents of Latvia must apply for a New Zealand visitor visa instead.
Your NZeTA is tied to your specific Latvian passport number. A new or renewed passport means you need a new NZeTA before travelling to New Zealand.
Apply well in advance of your flight from Riga (RIX) to avoid any delays. Most applications are approved quickly, but allow sufficient time.
Latvian travellers typically fly from Riga International Airport (RIX) via Helsinki, Frankfurt, or Amsterdam, then connect onwards to Auckland via Singapore or Dubai. Total journey time is approximately 26 hours including layovers. Auckland International Airport (AKL) is the main international gateway to New Zealand.
Latvia uses the Euro (EUR) as its official currency, while New Zealand uses the New Zealand Dollar (NZD). You can exchange currency at the airport or withdraw NZD at ATMs on arrival in New Zealand. Cards are widely accepted across New Zealand, including in most towns and tourist areas throughout both islands.
New Zealand's seasons are the reverse of Latvia's. While Latvia experiences cold winters, New Zealand's summer runs from November to March — perfect for outdoor adventures, beaches, and hiking. If you visit during Latvia's summer, you arrive in New Zealand's mild winter, still ideal for scenic drives and exploring the South Island's dramatic fjords and mountains.