Do Oman Citizens Need a New Zealand ETA (NZeTA)?

Omani passport holders may stay in New Zealand for up to 90 days per visit. The 90-day allowance applies to each individual entry — so if you leave New Zealand and return, the 90-day clock resets for the new visit.

The NZeTA remains valid for 2 years from the date it is issued, and allows multiple entries during that period. This is ideal for Omani travellers planning more than one trip — for example, visiting New Zealand for tourism and returning a year later for a business event — without needing a new application each time, provided the original NZeTA has not expired.

Omani travellers who wish to stay in New Zealand for longer than 90 days on any single visit must apply for an appropriate visa extension through Immigration New Zealand before their authorised stay expires. Exceeding the 90-day limit without authorisation can have serious consequences for future travel to New Zealand.

The NZeTA application process is entirely online and does not require a visit to an embassy or consulate. Omani citizens can apply from Muscat, Salalah, or anywhere with an internet connection. Here are the steps:

1. Complete the online form — enter your Omani passport details, personal information, and travel plans. The form takes approximately 5–10 minutes.
2. Answer health and character questions — respond honestly to declarations about your health history and any criminal record. Most applicants encounter no issues.
3. Pay the application fee — the fee covers NZeTA processing and the International Visitor Conservation and Tourism Levy (IVL). Payment is by credit or debit card.
4. Receive approval by email — most applications are approved within 24–72 hours. Your NZeTA is automatically linked to your passport number in New Zealand's border management system.

Apply at least one week before your intended departure to allow sufficient processing time. The typical flight routing from Oman to New Zealand involves a connection via Singapore or Dubai, with a total journey time of approximately 17 hours.

The NZeTA requires minimal documentation compared to a traditional visa. For Omani citizens, you will need:

• Valid Omani passport — must remain valid for at least 3 months beyond your intended departure date from New Zealand. Only an Omani citizen's passport qualifies — residency documents or other IDs are not accepted.
• Email address — your approval notification is sent by email. Ensure you use an address you check regularly and can access while travelling.
• Payment card — Visa or Mastercard credit or debit card to pay the NZeTA fee. The payment is non-refundable regardless of the application outcome.
• Health and character declaration — honest answers to the required health and background questions as part of the application.

At the New Zealand border on arrival, you may be asked to show evidence of your travel plans, accommodation arrangements, and sufficient funds for your intended stay — so it is advisable to have these readily accessible, even though they are not submitted with the NZeTA application itself.

Yes — absolutely. Tourism, including eco-tourism, adventure sports, hiking, diving, wildlife watching, cultural experiences, and all other leisure activities, is fully covered by the NZeTA. There is no distinction in the NZeTA between different types of tourism; the authorisation covers all tourist activities in New Zealand.

New Zealand is particularly well suited to travellers from Oman who enjoy outdoor adventure and natural landscapes. Popular activities accessible on an NZeTA include:

• Exploring Fiordland National Park and Milford Sound
• Trekking the famous multi-day walking tracks (Great Walks) such as the Milford Track, Routeburn Track, and Abel Tasman Coast Track
• Bungee jumping, skydiving, and white-water rafting in Queenstown
• Visiting geothermal areas and Maori cultural sites in Rotorua
• Whale watching off Kaikoura and dolphin cruises in the Marlborough Sounds
• Stargazing in Aoraki Mackenzie International Dark Sky Reserve

All of these activities are fully permissible under the NZeTA. The only activities not permitted are paid employment and certain professional performances or sporting events that require separate authorisation.

Standard processing time for NZeTA applications from Oman is 24–72 hours. The majority of applications are decided within 24 hours; however, processing can extend to the full 72 hours during peak travel periods or if additional review is triggered.

Express processing options are available if you need a faster outcome — please see our processing and fees page for current details. We recommend applying at least one week before your departure date regardless of which processing option you choose. This buffer allows time to address any unexpected issues and ensures you have your NZeTA well in advance of check-in.