NZ Launches the NZeTA Entry Trial for Chinese Visitors arriving from Australia

Effective Date: January 2026

Chinese passport holders who travel to New Zealand from Australia and hold a valid Australian visa can enter New Zealand using a New Zealand Electronic Travel Authority (NZeTA) instead of applying for a full visitor visa.This policy change applies only to those who are travelling directly from Australia. Eligible visitors who obtain an NZeTA will be granted a visitor visa upon arrival, permitting a stay of up to 3 months. All standard entry requirements (health, character, and onwards tickets) still apply.

The 12-Month Trial

This 12-month trial, announced by Immigration New Zealand (INZ), is intended to boost tourism from China, New Zealand’s third-largest tourism market. The government expects the simplified process to make travel “far easier and cheaper”, potentially attracting up to 50,000 additional visitors each year by encouraging Chinese tourists already in Australia to include New Zealand in their trip.

The same entry arrangement is also being extended to Pacific Islands Forum (PIF) passport holders. By requiring travellers to hold a valid Australian visa, New Zealand can rely on Australia’s existing screening checks, allowing INZ to trial this policy with reduced processing demands.

Eligibility Criteria

To qualify for this trial, a traveller must meet all four of the following criteria:

• Passport Requirement: Must hold a valid passport issued by the People’s Republic of China.
• Australian Visa Requirement: Must hold a valid, eligible Australian visa at the time of check-in. 
• Travel Path Requirement: The traveller must travel directly from Australia to New Zealand. The traveller must have lawfully entered Australia (i.e., passed through Australian immigration). Remaining in an Australian airport’s international transit lounge to catch a connecting flight does not qualify. This rule confirms the policy’s intent to attract tourists already in Australia.
• Documentation Requirement: The traveller must have requested and obtained a valid New Zealand Electronic Travel Authorisation (NZeTA) before travelling.

Schedule of Eligible Australian Visa Subclasses for NZeTA Trial

NZeTA Mechanism vs. Standard Visitor Visa

This trial significantly simplifies the entry process:

• The NZeTA Process (New Trial): The NZeTA is an authority to travel, not a visa. It is obtained online via the NZ eTA Application website and is typically processed within 1 - 2 Days.
• The Standard Visitor Visa Process (Baseline): This is the default process for those ineligible for the trial. It involves a full visa application submitted before travel, costing approximately $441 NZD , with processing times of around 4–5 days. It requires extensive documentation, including supplementary forms for Chinese applicants

Conditions, Limitations, and Important Distinctions

Duration of Stay: Each visit is limited to a maximum of 3 months.

NZeTA Validity: The NZeTA is valid for 2 years , but its use under this trial is restricted to the 12-month trial period. The “travelling from Australia” condition must be met for every single entry.

Standard Entry Requirements: All travellers must still meet standard entry requirements, including being of good character and health and holding an onwards ticket and sufficient funds.

Policy Distinctions: This trial is not for Australian Permanent Residents (who are already eligible for an NZeTA) or Australian citizens (who do not need an NZeTA or visa)

Key Takeaway

This trial makes it significantly easier and cheaper for Chinese tourists already in Australia to visit New Zealand, potentially encouraging more multi-country travel within the region.

Note: Before making travel plans, please re-check the latest requirements from the official sources, as the trial policy may change or be updated.