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New Zealand ETA — Frequently Asked Questions

36 expert answers covering NZeTA eligibility, processing time, fees, cruise ship rules, and what to do if your application is refused.

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Updated June 2026

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General & Overview

5 Questions

The New Zealand Electronic Travel Authority (NZeTA) is a mandatory pre-travel authorisation introduced by the New Zealand government in 2019. It is required for citizens of visa-waiver countries and for all cruise ship passengers — regardless of nationality — before travelling to New Zealand by air or sea.

The NZeTA is applied for entirely online. There is no need to visit an embassy or submit physical documents. Once approved, it is electronically linked to your passport number. You simply present your passport at the New Zealand border and the NZeTA is verified automatically. No paper visa or stamp is issued.

An approved NZeTA is valid for 2 years from the date of approval and permits multiple entries into New Zealand. Each stay is limited to a maximum of 90 days (or 6 months for UK citizens).

No. The NZeTA is not a visa. A traditional visa is a physical document or stamp placed in your passport and typically requires a visit to a New Zealand embassy or consulate, extensive documentation, and a longer waiting period.

The NZeTA is a lightweight electronic pre-travel authorisation. It grants permission to board a flight or cruise bound for New Zealand for short stays only — up to 90 days for tourism, business visits, or transit. It does not permit work or long-term study. Citizens of countries not on the visa-waiver list cannot apply for an NZeTA and must instead apply for a standard New Zealand Visitor Visa.

The following people must hold a valid NZeTA before travelling to New Zealand:
  • Citizens of visa-waiver countries travelling by air (UK, USA, Canada, EU, GCC, Japan, Singapore, and 50+ other nations)
  • All cruise ship passengers — regardless of nationality, including those not on the visa-waiver list
  • Airline and cruise crew members — who require a special Crew NZeTA (valid up to 5 years)

Not required for: Australian citizens and permanent residents (exempt under the Trans-Tasman Travel Arrangement), and New Zealand citizens. Citizens of countries not on the visa-waiver list travelling by air must apply for a standard visitor visa rather than an NZeTA.

No. Australian citizens and Australian permanent residents are completely exempt from the NZeTA requirement. Under the Trans-Tasman Travel Arrangement, Australians can enter New Zealand at any time without a visa, NZeTA, or any pre-travel authorisation.

Australians simply present their Australian passport at the New Zealand border and are automatically granted entry. There is no limit on how long an Australian citizen can stay in New Zealand.

New Zealand's visa-waiver program allows citizens of certain countries to visit New Zealand without applying for a traditional visitor visa. Instead, they apply for the faster, cheaper NZeTA online. The program currently covers over 60 nationalities, including the United Kingdom, United States, Canada, all EU member states, Japan, Singapore, UAE, Saudi Arabia, and others.

Citizens of countries not on the visa-waiver list — such as India, China, and the Philippines — cannot use the NZeTA system and must apply for a standard New Zealand Visitor Visa. View the full list of eligible countries →

Eligibility & Passport

6 Questions

Over 60 countries are on the New Zealand visa-waiver list, including the United Kingdom, United States, Canada, all EU member states, Switzerland, Norway, Japan, Singapore, Malaysia, UAE, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Qatar, Bahrain, Oman, and Mauritius, among many others.

Countries that are not eligible for the NZeTA (and must apply for a visitor visa) include India, China, the Philippines, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nigeria, South Africa, Russia, and Thailand.

See the complete eligible countries list →

Yes. Every traveller — including infants and children — must hold their own individual NZeTA. Children cannot share an NZeTA with a parent. Each child must have their own valid passport, and a separate NZeTA application must be submitted for each child using their own passport details.

A parent or guardian may submit the application on behalf of a child. The NZeTA approval will be sent by email, and the child's passport is electronically linked to their individual NZeTA.

If you hold dual nationality and one of your passports is from a visa-waiver country, you should apply for the NZeTA using that eligible passport — and travel to New Zealand with that same passport.

The NZeTA is electronically linked to a specific passport number. You must travel with the exact passport used during the application. If you later renew or replace that passport, you must apply for a new NZeTA.

Your NZeTA validity is always tied to your passport. If your passport expires before the 2-year NZeTA validity period ends, the NZeTA becomes invalid on the same date your passport expires — whichever comes first.

If you renew your passport, you must apply for a new NZeTA linked to the new passport number. The old NZeTA cannot be transferred. Your passport must also be valid for at least 3 months beyond your planned departure date from New Zealand.

No. Once an NZeTA is issued, it is permanently linked to the passport number used during the application. If you renew or change your passport after receiving your NZeTA, you must submit a completely new NZeTA application using the new passport details. Do not travel to New Zealand with a different passport from the one on your NZeTA.

As part of the NZeTA application, you must declare whether you meet New Zealand's "good character" requirement. This means you must confirm that you:
  • Have not been convicted of a criminal offence resulting in a sentence of 5 years or more
  • Have not been deported, excluded, or removed from any country (including New Zealand)
  • Have no serious criminal record that could pose a risk to New Zealand's public safety

If you cannot truthfully confirm good character, your NZeTA application may be declined and you may need to apply for a standard visitor visa and undergo additional screening.

Application & Documents

5 Questions

The NZeTA application is simple and requires only:
  • Valid passport from an eligible visa-waiver country — valid for at least 3 months beyond your NZ departure
  • Passport-style digital photo — recent, plain background, no glasses
  • Active email address — your approved NZeTA is sent here
  • Credit or debit card — for payment of the application fee

No invitation letters, bank statements, or travel bookings are required for the initial NZeTA application, though New Zealand border officials may ask for evidence of onward travel and sufficient funds upon arrival. See the full NZeTA requirements →

Your passport photograph must meet these requirements:
  • Recent — taken within the last 6 months
  • Clear, high-resolution, and in colour
  • Plain white or light-coloured background
  • Full face visible — both eyes open and looking directly at the camera
  • No sunglasses, hats, or heavy filters
  • Neutral facial expression — no smiling with open mouth

An incorrect or blurry photo is one of the most common causes of NZeTA processing delays. Take extra care to meet these specifications before uploading.

Yes. You can apply for an NZeTA on behalf of another person — such as a family member, child, elderly relative, or group participant — provided you have their passport details, a suitable photograph, and their consent. This is common for family travel where one person manages the applications for the entire group.

Each person's NZeTA will be sent to the email address provided in their individual application. Make sure you enter the traveller's own details accurately, as the NZeTA is linked directly to their passport.

The NZeTA fee covers the processing of your application. Additionally, an International Visitor Conservation and Tourism Levy (IVL) is collected as part of the application to fund New Zealand's conservation and tourism infrastructure.

We offer three processing speed options with different price points. For full pricing details including Standard, Emergency, and Express options, see our Processing & Fees page →

The NZeTA fee can be paid by credit or debit card — including Visa, Mastercard, and American Express. Payment is made securely during the online application process. The full fee is charged at the time of submission; there is no deposit or instalment option.

Please note: the NZeTA fee is non-refundable if the application is declined or cancelled after submission.

Processing Time & Delivery

5 Questions

Most NZeTA applications are approved within 24–72 hours. Applications that require additional review by Immigration New Zealand — for example, those involving declared criminal convictions or health conditions — can take up to 14 days.

We recommend applying at least 5–7 days before your departure. If you're travelling soon, our Express processing option targets approval within 12–24 hours.

Your NZeTA approval notice is sent directly to the email address you provided during the application. The NZeTA is simultaneously electronically linked to your passport number in the Immigration New Zealand system.

When you arrive at the New Zealand border, officials scan your passport and verify the NZeTA automatically — you do not need to present any email or printed document at the border. However, keeping a copy of your confirmation email is recommended, as airlines may request to see it before boarding.

Printing is not required. Your NZeTA is stored electronically and verified at the border when your passport is scanned. There is no physical visa sticker or stamp.

That said, it is a good idea to save or print a copy of your approval email for reference during travel. Some airlines may ask to see proof of NZeTA approval before allowing you to board, so having a digital or printed copy on hand can prevent delays at check-in.

After submitting your application, check the email inbox (and spam/junk folder) of the address you used during the application. Your approval — or any request for additional information — will be sent there. If you applied through our service, you can also contact our support team with your application reference number to enquire about your NZeTA status.

If you have not received your NZeTA confirmation email within the expected timeframe, follow these steps:
  1. Check your spam, junk, and promotions folders
  2. Search your inbox for emails from Immigration New Zealand or our service email address
  3. Confirm that you entered the correct email address during the application
  4. If it has been more than 72 hours (Standard) or 24 hours (Express), contact our support team with your application reference number

Validity, Entry & Length of Stay

7 Questions

Your NZeTA is valid for 2 years from the date of approval, or until your passport expires — whichever comes first. During this 2-year period you may enter New Zealand as many times as you like.

Crew NZeTAs (for airline and cruise ship crew) are valid for up to 5 years. If you renew your passport before the 2-year NZeTA validity expires, you must apply for a new NZeTA linked to the new passport.

Most NZeTA holders can stay for up to 90 days per visit.

UK citizens benefit from a special bilateral arrangement and may stay for up to 6 months per visit under the New Zealand–UK visa-waiver arrangement.

The 90-day (or 6-month) limit applies per individual trip. You cannot stay for 90 days, leave New Zealand briefly, and then return for another 90 days immediately — Immigration New Zealand monitors cumulative time spent in the country.

Yes. The NZeTA is a multiple-entry authorisation. You can visit New Zealand as many times as you like during the 2-year validity period, as long as:
  • The NZeTA (and your passport) has not expired
  • Each individual stay does not exceed 90 days (or 6 months for UK citizens)
  • You are travelling for permitted purposes — tourism, business, or transit

Yes. The NZeTA does not specify travel dates — it is valid for 2 years from approval and permits entry at any point within that window. You can change your flight dates, book a new trip, or delay travel without needing to update or re-apply for your NZeTA, as long as your passport has not changed and the NZeTA has not expired.

The NZeTA cannot be extended. If you wish to stay in New Zealand for longer than 90 days (or 6 months for UK citizens), you must apply for a New Zealand Visitor Visa from within New Zealand before your current permitted stay expires.

Overstaying your NZeTA is a serious immigration violation and may result in deportation, fines, and future entry being denied.

No. The NZeTA does not permit paid employment or enrolment in long-term study in New Zealand. It is strictly for short-stay tourism, business visits (meetings, conferences), and transit.

To work in New Zealand, you must apply for a New Zealand Work Visa. To study, you require a Student Visa. Both must be applied for through Immigration New Zealand and cannot be converted from an NZeTA once you are in the country.

Yes. Travellers transiting through Auckland International Airport or any other New Zealand airport to a third destination must hold a valid NZeTA — unless they are specifically exempt (such as Australian citizens). This applies even if you do not leave the transit area.

Transit passengers from visa-waiver countries must ensure their NZeTA is approved before their journey begins, as it will be checked when boarding any flight whose route passes through New Zealand.

Cruise Ship NZeTA

4 Questions

Yes. All cruise ship passengers must hold a valid NZeTA before their vessel enters New Zealand waters — regardless of nationality. This is different from air travel, where only visa-waiver nationals need an NZeTA. On a cruise, even citizens of India, China, the Philippines, and other non-visa-waiver countries must apply.

See the full Cruise Ship NZeTA guide →

Yes. Even if you plan to remain on board and not disembark at any New Zealand port, you are still legally required to hold a valid NZeTA. The requirement applies the moment the vessel enters New Zealand territorial waters, regardless of whether passengers go ashore.

Yes. Crew members working on cruise ships that visit New Zealand ports require a special Crew NZeTA. This is distinct from the standard passenger NZeTA and is valid for up to 5 years with unlimited entries, reflecting the regular nature of crew visits to New Zealand ports.

Yes. The NZeTA covers both air and sea entry. You can arrive in New Zealand by cruise ship and depart by air — or arrive by air and depart by sea — using the same NZeTA. The NZeTA is tied to your passport, not to a specific mode of transport or port of entry.

Refusals, Delays & Support

4 Questions

If your NZeTA is refused, you will receive a notification to the email address used in your application. You will not be able to board a flight or cruise bound for New Zealand.

In most cases you will need to apply for a standard New Zealand Visitor Visa through Immigration New Zealand (immigration.govt.nz), which involves a more thorough assessment process. The NZeTA fee is non-refundable once a decision has been issued.

Common reasons an NZeTA application is declined include:
  • Passport details entered incorrectly — name, number, or date of birth do not match the passport
  • Unclear, blurry, or non-compliant passport photograph
  • Declared criminal conviction or history of deportation/removal from any country
  • Known health conditions that require additional assessment
  • Previous overstay or immigration violation in New Zealand or another country
  • Incomplete or contradictory information in the application

Always double-check all details before submitting to minimise the risk of rejection.

First, check your spam and junk email folders — approval notifications occasionally land there. Also search for emails from Immigration New Zealand, as they may have sent a request for additional information.

If it has been more than 72 hours (Standard) or 24 hours (Express) with no communication, contact our support team with your application reference number. Some applications are referred for additional review by Immigration New Zealand and may take up to 14 days — this is normal and does not necessarily indicate a problem.

There is no formal appeals process for a refused NZeTA. However, if you believe your application was declined in error — for example due to a data entry mistake — you may submit a new NZeTA application with the correct information.

If the refusal is based on character or health grounds, you will need to apply for a standard New Zealand Visitor Visa through Immigration New Zealand, where you can provide supporting documentation for their assessment. Contact our team for guidance on next steps.
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