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

Seychellois passport holders can stay in New Zealand for up to 90 days per visit. This is the standard allowance for NZeTA holders from Seychelles and most other non-UK nationalities on the programme. The 90-day limit applies to each individual entry into New Zealand.

The NZeTA is valid for 2 years from the date it is granted and allows multiple entries during the validity period. Seychellois citizens who visit New Zealand more than once in a two-year period can use the same NZeTA for each visit, provided each individual stay does not exceed 90 days and the NZeTA has not expired.

For Seychellois travellers, New Zealand represents a fascinating destination that in some ways mirrors the natural beauty of Seychelles — pristine coastlines, rich marine environments, and spectacular natural landscapes — but on a completely different scale, with the addition of snow-capped mountains, fjords, active volcanoes, and vast temperate forests. Both the North and South Islands of New Zealand offer unique and contrasting experiences, all accessible under the single NZeTA.

The NZeTA application process for Seychellois citizens is entirely online and does not require visiting an embassy or consulate, printing any forms, or posting any documents. The application can be completed from Mahé, Praslin, La Digue, or anywhere else in the world with an internet connection. Here are the steps:

1. Complete the online application form — enter your Seychellois passport details (passport number, expiry date, personal information) and basic travel plans. This takes approximately 5–10 minutes.
2. Answer health and character declarations — respond honestly to the required questions about your health history and any criminal record. The overwhelming majority of Seychellois applicants pass this stage without difficulty.
3. Pay the NZeTA application fee — by credit or debit card (Visa or Mastercard). The fee covers NZeTA processing and the International Visitor Conservation and Tourism Levy (IVL). Payment is non-refundable.
4. Await your approval email — most applications are decided within 24–72 hours. Your approval notification is sent to the email address you provided. The NZeTA is then electronically linked to your passport number.

Apply at least one week before your planned departure. Flights from Seychelles to New Zealand are approximately 14 hours, typically routing via Singapore, Dubai, or Nairobi.

The NZeTA application requires only a small number of items, making it much simpler than a traditional visa application:

• Valid Seychellois passport — must remain valid for at least 3 months beyond your planned departure date from New Zealand. Ensure your passport is current and will not expire during your trip.
• Email address — a working email address to receive your NZeTA approval notification. Use an address you can access reliably 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 standard questions about health history and any criminal background.

No photographs, financial statements, bank records, hotel bookings, or return ticket confirmations are required for the NZeTA application itself. At the New Zealand border on arrival, a border officer may ask to see evidence of your accommodation, onward travel, and financial means — so it is advisable to have these ready, even though they are not part of the online application.

The process is identical regardless of where you live. Many Seychellois citizens live and work abroad — in the United Kingdom, France, Australia, the UAE, South Africa, and many other countries. Whether you are resident in Seychelles or living abroad, the NZeTA application process is exactly the same.

The NZeTA is based entirely on your passport nationality — not your country of residence, country of employment, or where you are when you submit the application. As long as you hold a valid Seychellois passport, you are eligible to apply for an NZeTA for travel to New Zealand, and you can submit the application from wherever you currently are in the world.

For example:

• A Seychellois citizen studying in the United Kingdom submits the same NZeTA application as one residing in Victoria, Mahé.
• A Seychellois national working in Dubai applies the same way — using their Seychellois passport, not a UAE residency document.
• A Seychellois person living in Australia applies for the NZeTA using their Seychellois passport (they would also need a separate Australian document to live in Australia, but this is irrelevant to the NZeTA).

Your NZeTA approval email will be sent to the email address you provide in the application — make sure it is one you can reliably access wherever you are.

Standard processing time for NZeTA applications submitted by Seychellois passport holders is 24–72 hours. Most applications are decided within 24 hours; however, the full 72-hour window may be required during peak travel periods or if additional review is needed.

Express processing options are available for travellers who need a faster decision. See our processing times and fees page for details. We recommend applying at least one week before your departure date — whether you are leaving from Seychelles, the UK, Australia, or anywhere else. This ensures your NZeTA is in place well before check-in and avoids any last-minute complications.

Given that flights from Seychelles to New Zealand (or from wherever you depart to New Zealand) typically involve connections through Singapore, Dubai, or similar hubs, having your NZeTA confirmed in advance is particularly important as airlines at international departure points are required to verify it before you board.