Do Saudi Arabia Citizens Need a New Zealand ETA (NZeTA)?

Saudi passport holders can stay in New Zealand for up to 90 days per visit. This is the standard NZeTA stay allowance for GCC nationals. The 90 days applies to each individual entry — not to the cumulative time on the NZeTA across multiple visits.

The NZeTA is valid for 2 years from the date of issue and permits multiple entries. This means a Saudi traveller can visit New Zealand for, say, 3 weeks in one year and return for a further 6 weeks in the following year, all on the same NZeTA (as long as it has not expired).

New Zealand offers an exceptional range of experiences well suited to extended stays of up to 90 days — from exploring the volcanic plateau and geothermal wonders of the Taupo region, to trekking through Fiordland National Park, visiting Maori villages and cultural experiences in Rotorua, wine tasting in Marlborough, and road-tripping through the South Island's dramatic alpine scenery.

If you wish to stay beyond 90 days, you must apply for a suitable visa extension through Immigration New Zealand before the allowed period expires.

The NZeTA application process for Saudi citizens is 100% online and requires no embassy visit, no postal submissions, and no printed forms. It can be completed from Riyadh, Jeddah, Dammam, or anywhere with an internet connection. The steps are:

1. Fill in the online application form — enter your Saudi passport number and personal details, and provide basic travel information. Takes approximately 5–10 minutes.
2. Answer the health and character declaration — respond honestly to standard questions about your health history and any criminal record. The overwhelming majority of Saudi applicants pass this stage without issue.
3. Pay the NZeTA fee — by credit or debit card (Visa or Mastercard). The fee covers the NZeTA processing charge and the International Visitor Conservation and Tourism Levy (IVL), which contributes to New Zealand's conservation infrastructure.
4. Wait for your approval email — most applications are approved within 24–72 hours. The NZeTA is then electronically linked to your passport. Your approval email is your confirmation.

We recommend applying at least one week before your departure date. The typical flight routing from Saudi Arabia to New Zealand is approximately 17 hours, usually connecting via Singapore or another Southeast Asian hub.

The NZeTA for Saudi citizens requires significantly fewer documents than a traditional visa application. You will need:

• Valid Saudi passport — must be valid for at least 3 months beyond your planned departure date from New Zealand. Only a Saudi citizen passport is accepted — Iqama (residence permit) or national ID card is not a valid travel document for New Zealand purposes.
• Email address — your NZeTA approval notification is sent exclusively by email. Use an address you monitor regularly and can access during travel.
• Payment card — a Visa or Mastercard credit or debit card to pay the NZeTA application fee. This payment is non-refundable.
• Health and character declaration answers — honest responses to the required questions about health conditions and criminal history.

No photographs, financial statements, bank records, employment letters, travel insurance certificates, or hotel booking confirmations are required as part of the NZeTA application. On arrival at a New Zealand port of entry, border officials may ask you to demonstrate onward travel arrangements and sufficient funds for your stay.

Yes — a combined Australia and New Zealand trip is very popular among Saudi travellers, and is entirely possible. However, it is important to understand that Australia and New Zealand are two entirely separate countries with completely independent entry requirements.

To enter New Zealand, Saudi passport holders need a valid NZeTA (applied for through this website or the official Immigration New Zealand channels).

To enter Australia, Saudi passport holders need a separate Australian ETA (subclass 601) or another applicable Australian visa. The Australian ETA is also applied for online and is separate from the New Zealand NZeTA — holding one does not grant entry to the other country.

Many Saudi travellers plan an itinerary that takes in both countries: for example, flying into Auckland, spending time in New Zealand, then crossing to Sydney or Melbourne for an Australian leg before returning home. This is perfectly feasible provided you hold both the NZeTA (for New Zealand) and the Australian ETA or equivalent (for Australia).

If you are planning a combined trip, apply for both authorisations well in advance. Processing for both is typically within 24–72 hours but applying ahead eliminates any last-minute uncertainty.

The standard processing time for NZeTA applications from Saudi Arabia is 24–72 hours. Most applications are approved within 24 hours; however, processing can take the full 72 hours during busy periods or if additional review is required.

Express processing options are available if you need a faster outcome. See our processing times and fees page for current options and costs.

We strongly recommend applying at least one week before your departure date, even with express processing selected. The flight to New Zealand from Saudi Arabia is typically a long-haul journey of approximately 17 hours with a connecting stop in Singapore or a similar Southeast Asian hub — ensure you have your NZeTA well before check-in to avoid any complications at the departure airport.