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5 Simple Steps

Getting Your New Zealand ETA as a Maltese Citizen

A step-by-step guide to applying for the New Zealand Electronic Travel Authority (NZeTA) from Malta. The whole process takes under 10 minutes online.

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Malta — NZeTA Eligible Country ✓

Malta is part of New Zealand's visa-waiver programme. Maltese 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.

Maltese Citizens & the New Zealand ETA — What You Need to Know

Malta is a small island nation in the central Mediterranean and a full EU member since 2004. Despite its size, Malta punches well above its weight internationally — with English as one of its two official languages, a strong Commonwealth connection, and a passport that provides excellent global travel access. New Zealand includes Malta in its NZeTA visa-waiver programme, reflecting the strong bilateral ties between the two nations and the trusted travel profile of Maltese passport holders. As fellow English-speaking nations with shared Commonwealth heritage, Malta and New Zealand enjoy a warm relationship that makes the NZeTA process particularly smooth for Maltese applicants.

The NZeTA is an electronic pre-travel authorisation linked to your Maltese passport. It is valid for two years and allows multiple entries into New Zealand, with a maximum stay of 90 days per visit. Permitted activities include tourism, sightseeing, business meetings and conferences, visiting friends and family, and transiting through New Zealand airports. Work and extended study are not covered by the NZeTA. The application is entirely online and can be completed in under 10 minutes from Valletta, Sliema, or anywhere else in Malta.

Step-by-Step: Applying for Your NZeTA from Malta

Complete your NZeTA application in under 10 minutes from anywhere in Malta.

1

Visit the Application Form

Go to the online NZeTA application form. You can apply from any device — phone, tablet or computer — from anywhere in Malta.

2

Enter Your Passport Details

Enter your Maltese passport details exactly as they appear. Double-check your name, passport number and expiry date carefully.

3

Answer Health & Character Questions

Answer the health and character declaration questions honestly. Most Maltese applicants receive quick approval without complications.

4

Pay the NZeTA Fee

Pay securely online. The fee covers the NZeTA service charge and the IVL conservation and tourism levy required by New Zealand.

5

Receive Your Approval

Your NZeTA approval arrives by email within 24–72 hours. Airlines verify it electronically at check-in — no printed copy is required.

NZeTA Requirements for Maltese Citizens

Valid Maltese passport — must remain valid for at least 3 months beyond your planned departure from New Zealand.
Working email address — your NZeTA approval is delivered by email only; no physical document or passport stamp is required.
Credit or debit card — to pay the NZeTA fee online, which includes the IVL International Visitor Conservation and Tourism Levy.
Return or onward ticket — evidence of your planned departure from New Zealand is recommended before you travel.
No serious criminal convictions — any relevant criminal history must be declared truthfully on the application form.
Good health — you must meet New Zealand's basic health requirements and answer all health declaration questions honestly.
Passport Tip: Your NZeTA is electronically linked to your Maltese passport number. If you renew or replace your passport, you must apply for a new NZeTA before your next trip to New Zealand — the old NZeTA becomes invalid.

Important Notes

NZeTA Linked to Your Passport

Your NZeTA is tied to your specific Maltese passport number. A renewed passport requires a new NZeTA before travelling to New Zealand.

Apply at Least 72 Hours Before Departure

Apply well before your departure from Malta International Airport (MLA) to avoid last-minute stress. Allow extra time during peak travel seasons.

English Widely Spoken in Both Countries

English is one of Malta's two official languages and is the primary language of New Zealand. Maltese travellers will find communication straightforward and the NZeTA application form fully accessible in English.

Quick Travel Tips for Maltese Visitors to New Zealand

Flights from Malta

From Malta International Airport (MLA), travellers typically connect via Dubai (DXB) with Emirates or via Rome (FCO) with onward connections to Auckland. Total journey time is approximately 26 hours including layovers. Auckland International Airport (AKL) is New Zealand's main international entry point, with Christchurch (CHC) as a second gateway for South Island arrivals.

Currency — EUR to NZD

Malta uses the Euro (EUR), while New Zealand uses the New Zealand Dollar (NZD). You can exchange currency before departure or withdraw NZD at ATMs on arrival in New Zealand. Credit and debit cards are widely accepted across New Zealand, including in smaller towns, making it easy to manage your spending throughout your trip.

Best Time to Visit

New Zealand's seasons are the reverse of Malta's. New Zealand summer runs from November to March — ideal for beaches, water sports, and hiking. Unlike Malta's very hot summer, New Zealand's summer temperatures are pleasantly warm rather than scorching. The South Island's fiords and mountains are spectacular year-round. New Zealand is approximately 11–12 hours ahead of Central European Time.

Common Questions from Maltese Travellers

Maltese citizens need an NZeTA — not a traditional visitor visa — to travel to New Zealand for tourism, business, or transit. Malta is part of New Zealand's visa-waiver programme. As a Commonwealth country where English is an official language, Malta's inclusion reflects the strong bilateral ties between both nations. The NZeTA is obtained online before departure and is electronically associated with your Maltese passport number.

Maltese citizens can stay in New Zealand for up to 90 days per visit on an NZeTA. The NZeTA is valid for two years from the date of issue and allows multiple entries, meaning you can visit New Zealand more than once during the validity period as long as each individual stay does not exceed 90 days. For longer stays, a different New Zealand visa category would be required before departing Malta.

All applicants must declare any criminal history truthfully on the NZeTA application form. Minor convictions may not necessarily prevent approval, but serious offences — particularly those resulting in a custodial sentence of 12 months or more — can lead to the NZeTA being declined. If this occurs, a standard New Zealand visitor visa with supporting documentation may be an alternative. Always answer honestly; providing false information on an NZeTA application is a serious offence under New Zealand immigration law.

Ready to Visit New Zealand?

Apply for your NZeTA online in minutes. Fast approval, valid for 2 years, multiple entry. Maltese citizens can start their application right now.

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