What is the NZeTA and how does it work?

The NZeTA is New Zealand's electronic travel authority, requested online before departure and linked electronically to your passport. It is not a visa; it is permission to board and request entry for a short stay. You provide passport and trip details, our wizard collects them, a specialist reviews your answers, and we submit the application to New Zealand Immigration for you.

Who needs an NZeTA for New Zealand?

Two groups: nationals of New Zealand's visa-waiver countries, which include most of the European Union, the United Kingdom, the United States, Canada, Japan and Australia, and all cruise ship passengers regardless of nationality. Every traveller, including children and infants, needs their own NZeTA. Travellers who already require a visitor visa use that route instead.

How long is the New Zealand NZeTA valid?

The NZeTA is valid for up to two years from approval and allows multiple entries. Each individual visit can last up to three months, and the two-year validity is not a permitted length of stay. Visitors who hold a British passport may stay up to six months per visit. Children need their own NZeTA.

Can British passport holders stay longer in New Zealand?

Yes. The general visitor limit is three months per visit, but travellers entering on a British passport may stay up to six months per visit under New Zealand's rules. The NZeTA itself remains valid for up to two years with multiple entries, so the longer stay applies to each visit within that window.

How much does the NZeTA cost, and what is the IVL?

You pay one all-inclusive price. It covers the NZeTA government fee and the International Visitor Conservation and Tourism Levy, the IVL, both paid to New Zealand and funding conservation and tourism infrastructure, and our service preparing and reviewing your application in your language; the government and IVL portions are itemised on your receipt. The government fee and IVL are non-refundable; our service fee is refunded in most denial scenarios outside your control.

How long does the New Zealand NZeTA take?

New Zealand Immigration typically issues NZeTAs within 72 hours of submission, often within minutes for clean applications. Our Standard review runs in one to three business days; Rush reviews within 24 hours; Super Rush ships same-day with priority queue handling, so the immigration clock starts without delay.

Can I work in New Zealand with the NZeTA?

No. The NZeTA covers tourism, business meetings, short study and transit only. Paid work requires a separate work visa sponsored by a New Zealand employer, and long-term stays need a residence visa. Our specialists will flag this if your wizard answers suggest a work purpose, so you apply for the right document.

Do I need an NZeTA to transit through New Zealand?

Yes, in most cases. New Zealand does not run a broad airside transit exemption, so visa-waiver travellers connecting through Auckland generally need an approved NZeTA even without leaving the airport. A small number of nationalities have a transit visa requirement instead; our wizard confirms which applies based on your passport and route.

Do cruise passengers need an NZeTA?

Yes. All cruise ship passengers visiting New Zealand need an NZeTA regardless of nationality, including travellers who could otherwise enter visa-free by air. The wizard handles cruise itineraries with the correct port-of-arrival details, and every passenger on the booking needs their own NZeTA before the ship arrives.

Do I need to print my NZeTA before I travel?

No. An approved NZeTA is held electronically against your passport, so the airline and border officers see it automatically and there is no printout to carry. We still suggest saving the approval email or your application reference so you can check the status if you want to, and so you have it to hand at check-in.

What happens if my NZeTA is refused?

A refusal usually means the visa-waiver route is not right for that trip, for example because of a past immigration issue or a character declaration, and you would normally apply for a visitor visa instead. Our specialists review your wizard answers and flag concerns before submission. Where a refusal is outside your control our service fee is refunded; the government fee and IVL are non-refundable.

How do I avoid common NZeTA application mistakes?

Most avoidable problems come from a name or passport number that does not match the passport, so copy every character directly from the document and confirm the expiry date. Answer the character and immigration questions honestly, use the passport you will travel on, and give a working email. Our wizard validates each field and we review your answers before submitting, which catches the typos that otherwise stall you at the airport.

What does the International Visitor Levy pay for, and is it refundable?

The International Visitor Conservation and Tourism Levy, the IVL, is a separate New Zealand government charge collected alongside the NZeTA government fee. It funds conservation projects, biodiversity work and tourism infrastructure that visitors use, such as tracks and facilities. Every traveller who needs an NZeTA pays it once per authorisation, and like the government fee it is paid to New Zealand and is not refundable.

When should I apply for the New Zealand NZeTA?

New Zealand Immigration decides most NZeTAs within 72 hours of submission, and clean applications are often approved within minutes. Request yours as soon as your trip is booked and at least 72 hours before departure, because the approval is linked to your passport and an airline can decline boarding without it. Cruise passengers should apply as soon as the sailing is confirmed, since every passenger needs an approved NZeTA before the ship reaches a New Zealand port. Peak periods can add time. If you are travelling within a day or two, the Rush and Super Rush tiers start the immigration clock without delay.

New Zealand NZeTA · VisitPass

Overview

The New Zealand Electronic Travel Authority, or NZeTA, is New Zealand's online travel authorisation for visitors who do not need a visa. It is not a visa: it is an electronic permission to board a carrier and request entry for a short stay, linked to the passport you apply with and checked against immigration records before you travel. An approved NZeTA is valid for up to two years and allows multiple visits in that period.

Each visit may last up to three months for tourism, business meetings or transit, and visitors who hold a British passport may stay up to six months per visit. The NZeTA does not authorise paid work or long-term residence, which require the appropriate work or residence visa. Two groups need it: nationals of New Zealand's visa-waiver countries, which include most of the European Union, the United Kingdom, the United States, Canada, Japan and Australia, and cruise ship passengers visiting New Zealand, who need an NZeTA regardless of their nationality.

Travellers who already require a visitor visa apply through a different route. The International Visitor Conservation and Tourism Levy, the IVL, is a separate New Zealand government charge collected alongside the NZeTA government fee, and it funds conservation and tourism infrastructure across the country. Your NZeTA is prepared in your own language and every answer is checked before it is submitted to New Zealand Immigration.

At a glance

The key facts for a New Zealand NZeTA application.

Visa type: NZeTA
What you need: Your passport
Validity: 2 years
Maximum stay: 3 months per visit
Entry type: Multiple

Who can apply

The main eligibility conditions for this destination, and who can apply.

Required for nationals of visa-waiver countries and for cruise ship passengers regardless of nationality. The NZeTA is valid for two years from approval with multiple entries up to three months per visit; UK passport holders may stay up to six months. The International Visitor Conservation and Tourism Levy (IVL) is charged alongside the NZeTA government fee at the New Zealand Immigration portal.

What you'll need

Have these ready before you begin your application. Requirements can vary by nationality and trip purpose.

Passport from a visa-waiver country with at least three months validity beyond planned departure
Email address for NZeTA delivery
Travel dates and New Zealand accommodation address
Payment method (one all-inclusive price covering the government fee and the IVL)

Requirements in detail

An NZeTA asks for less than a full visa, but every detail must match your travel documents exactly. You need a passport from a visa-waiver country, valid for at least three months beyond your planned departure from New Zealand; the authorisation links electronically to that passport, so you must travel on the same one. Have your passport number, its issue and expiry dates and country of issue ready.

You also give a valid email address for the decision and basic trip information, such as your New Zealand accommodation address and travel dates. There is no photograph requirement for an NZeTA, unlike a visitor visa. A short set of eligibility questions covers your immigration and character history; answer them honestly, because an inaccurate answer is a common reason for refusal.

You pay one all-inclusive price covering the NZeTA government fee, the International Visitor Conservation and Tourism Levy, and our service fee, with the government and levy portions itemised on your receipt. The single most common avoidable error is a mistyped name or passport number: a one-character mismatch between your application and your passport can hold you up at the airport, so check both against the passport itself before you submit.

Government processing time

What the issuing authority typically takes once the application is submitted.

Government processing: New Zealand Immigration decides most NZeTAs within 72 hours of submission, and clean applications are often approved within minutes. VisitPass review: Standard one to three business days; Rush one business day; Super Rush in under six hours, during which the application is checked for completeness, submitted to the authority, and the confirmation issued. When to apply: request your NZeTA as soon as your trip is booked and at least 72 hours before departure, because the approval is linked to your passport and an airline can decline boarding without it. If you are travelling within a day or two, choose Rush or Super Rush so the immigration clock starts without delay.

On arrival

Your approved NZeTA is held electronically against your passport, so there is no printout to carry; the airline checks your authorisation when you check in, and the border system reads it on arrival. Even so, it is sensible to save the approval email or your application reference in case of a systems issue. Travel on the exact passport you applied with.

An NZeTA lets you board and request entry; the final admission decision is made by an immigration officer at the New Zealand border, who may ask about your trip. Have your return or onward ticket and your accommodation address ready to show, and be prepared to confirm that your visit is for tourism, business or transit rather than work.

Planning your trip

New Zealand spreads across two islands of dramatic, fast-changing scenery. On the North Island, the Bay of Islands, Auckland's harbours and Rotorua's geysers, hot springs and Maori cultural centres set an easy, geothermal pace. The South Island raises the drama: Queenstown's alpine adventure scene, the deep fiords of Milford Sound and Fiordland, and the glaciers and high country around Aoraki, also called Mount Cook. A campervan or car unlocks the most, and the long distances reward giving each island its own unhurried leg. Seasons run opposite to the northern hemisphere, so December to February is high summer, made for beaches, kayaking and the Great Walks, while June to August brings the ski season to the Southern Alps and the resorts above Queenstown. Mountain and coastal weather can cycle through sun, wind and rain in a single day, so pack layers, a waterproof jacket, warm mid-layers and sturdy walking shoes whatever the month, plus sunglasses and high-factor sunscreen for the intense southern light. Book popular Great Walks, scenic flights and Milford cruises well ahead over the summer holidays, when demand peaks countrywide.

One all-inclusive price

One price per visa with everything included. The government portion goes to the issuing authority and is non-refundable, itemised on your official receipt. Our service covers a full review of your application, secure handling and 24/7 email support.

From

$210.00

Standard tier, one all-inclusive price. You choose your processing speed at checkout, where the final price is confirmed.

Apply now See full pricing breakdown →

The government portion shown is an approximate USD equivalent of the issuing authority's official charge; the exact all-inclusive price is confirmed at checkout.

How to apply

Three steps from start to approval.

Complete the form
Answer the official questions online. Your draft is saved for 30 days, so you can finish once your documents are to hand.
Pay securely
You see the one all-inclusive price before you pay. We check your application for completeness before it reaches the government portal.
Receive by email
Your approved travel authorisation arrives by email. Bring it, or a copy, together with the passport you applied with when you travel.

Read the full New Zealand NZeTA guide

Questions about this destination

Common questions specific to this visa. For broader topics see our help centre.

Do I need an NZeTA to visit New Zealand?
Yes, if you hold a passport from a visa-waiver country or arrive on a cruise ship you need an NZeTA before you travel; visitors who already require a visitor visa apply through a different route. Our wizard checks your nationality against the current rules and prepares the correct application so you arrive with everything in order.
What is the NZeTA and how does it work?
The NZeTA is New Zealand's electronic travel authority, requested online before departure and linked electronically to your passport. It is not a visa; it is permission to board and request entry for a short stay. You provide passport and trip details, our wizard collects them, a specialist reviews your answers, and we submit the application to New Zealand Immigration for you.
Who needs an NZeTA for New Zealand?
Two groups: nationals of New Zealand's visa-waiver countries, which include most of the European Union, the United Kingdom, the United States, Canada, Japan and Australia, and all cruise ship passengers regardless of nationality. Every traveller, including children and infants, needs their own NZeTA. Travellers who already require a visitor visa use that route instead.
How long is the New Zealand NZeTA valid?
The NZeTA is valid for up to two years from approval and allows multiple entries. Each individual visit can last up to three months, and the two-year validity is not a permitted length of stay. Visitors who hold a British passport may stay up to six months per visit. Children need their own NZeTA.
Can British passport holders stay longer in New Zealand?
Yes. The general visitor limit is three months per visit, but travellers entering on a British passport may stay up to six months per visit under New Zealand's rules. The NZeTA itself remains valid for up to two years with multiple entries, so the longer stay applies to each visit within that window.
How much does the NZeTA cost, and what is the IVL?
You pay one all-inclusive price. It covers the NZeTA government fee and the International Visitor Conservation and Tourism Levy, the IVL, both paid to New Zealand and funding conservation and tourism infrastructure, and our service preparing and reviewing your application in your language; the government and IVL portions are itemised on your receipt. The government fee and IVL are non-refundable; our service fee is refunded in most denial scenarios outside your control.
How long does the New Zealand NZeTA take?
New Zealand Immigration typically issues NZeTAs within 72 hours of submission, often within minutes for clean applications. Our Standard review runs in one to three business days; Rush reviews within 24 hours; Super Rush ships same-day with priority queue handling, so the immigration clock starts without delay.
Can I work in New Zealand with the NZeTA?
No. The NZeTA covers tourism, business meetings, short study and transit only. Paid work requires a separate work visa sponsored by a New Zealand employer, and long-term stays need a residence visa. Our specialists will flag this if your wizard answers suggest a work purpose, so you apply for the right document.
Do I need an NZeTA to transit through New Zealand?
Yes, in most cases. New Zealand does not run a broad airside transit exemption, so visa-waiver travellers connecting through Auckland generally need an approved NZeTA even without leaving the airport. A small number of nationalities have a transit visa requirement instead; our wizard confirms which applies based on your passport and route.
Do cruise passengers need an NZeTA?
Yes. All cruise ship passengers visiting New Zealand need an NZeTA regardless of nationality, including travellers who could otherwise enter visa-free by air. The wizard handles cruise itineraries with the correct port-of-arrival details, and every passenger on the booking needs their own NZeTA before the ship arrives.
Do I need to print my NZeTA before I travel?
No. An approved NZeTA is held electronically against your passport, so the airline and border officers see it automatically and there is no printout to carry. We still suggest saving the approval email or your application reference so you can check the status if you want to, and so you have it to hand at check-in.
What happens if my NZeTA is refused?
A refusal usually means the visa-waiver route is not right for that trip, for example because of a past immigration issue or a character declaration, and you would normally apply for a visitor visa instead. Our specialists review your wizard answers and flag concerns before submission. Where a refusal is outside your control our service fee is refunded; the government fee and IVL are non-refundable.
How do I avoid common NZeTA application mistakes?
Most avoidable problems come from a name or passport number that does not match the passport, so copy every character directly from the document and confirm the expiry date. Answer the character and immigration questions honestly, use the passport you will travel on, and give a working email. Our wizard validates each field and we review your answers before submitting, which catches the typos that otherwise stall you at the airport.
What does the International Visitor Levy pay for, and is it refundable?
The International Visitor Conservation and Tourism Levy, the IVL, is a separate New Zealand government charge collected alongside the NZeTA government fee. It funds conservation projects, biodiversity work and tourism infrastructure that visitors use, such as tracks and facilities. Every traveller who needs an NZeTA pays it once per authorisation, and like the government fee it is paid to New Zealand and is not refundable.
When should I apply for the New Zealand NZeTA?
New Zealand Immigration decides most NZeTAs within 72 hours of submission, and clean applications are often approved within minutes. Request yours as soon as your trip is booked and at least 72 hours before departure, because the approval is linked to your passport and an airline can decline boarding without it. Cruise passengers should apply as soon as the sailing is confirmed, since every passenger needs an approved NZeTA before the ship reaches a New Zealand port. Peak periods can add time. If you are travelling within a day or two, the Rush and Super Rush tiers start the immigration clock without delay.

Specialist review on every file

We look at your file for the small errors that get applications refused, before any government does. Real reviewers, not AI form-fillers, not outsourced clerical work.

We don't quote specialist headcounts. Our commitment is simple: a real person reviews every file.

New Zealand help desk

Have questions about your NZeTA? Email the New Zealand desk and we reply within 24 hours.

newzealand@visitpass-online.com

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VisitPass is an independent visa-application service. We are not affiliated with, endorsed by, or operated by any government. Government fees go directly to the issuing authority and are listed separately in your receipt.

Verify rules and fees independently at the official portal: nzeta.immigration.govt.nz

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