Unlock Aotearoa quickly, travel lawfully, depart delighted.

A Personal Foreword from Your ETA Specialists

Dear traveller, obtaining an ETA is rather like setting a watch to local time before boarding—a slight adjustment that wards off larger confusion later. Entrust us with the minutes, and you may devote your thoughts to miles of coastline, mountain, and myth. Our role is to translate regulation into reassurance, to shoulder the paperwork so you reach the place where pōhutukawa roots kiss volcanic sand.

We have distilled decades of border‑side experience into the guide below. Follow it from top to toe and you will finish with a digital permit ready, a bag packed with certainty, and a mind free for the first breath of clean, snow‑washed air that greets you on arrival.

Why an ETA Shapes Stress‑Free Short Visits

The New Zealand Electronic Travel Authority (ETA) is an advance security check, an airline compliance ticket, and a border fast‑track—three functions housed in one silent record. If your stay will last ninety days or fewer, you must secure an New Zealand ETA before check‑in. Without it airlines must refuse carriage; with it you glide forward like a guest expected for tea.

Legal Cornerstones

• Adopted 1 October 2019 under the Immigration (Electronic Travel Authority) Regulations.
• Obligatory for nationals of 60 visa‑waiver countries and for all cruise visitors.
• Valid for 2 years or until passport expiry, whichever arrives first.
• Multi‑entry: each arrival can last up to 90 days.

Applicants & Exemptions

Must Apply	Exempt
Citizens of visa‑waiver countries	NZ & Australian passport holders
Permanent residents of Australia	Crew of foreign cargo vessels
Cruise passengers (any nationality)	Airside transit passengers under 24 h

The NZ ETA Country page lists every eligible nationality.

Types of NZ ETA – Which One Fits Your Journey?

Not every visit looks alike. Immigration NZ issues four variants of the same core authorisation; choose carefully and travel with confidence.

➝ Transit NZ ETA – For Air‑Bridge Travellers

Passing through Auckland on your way elsewhere? The Transit ETA covers lay‑overs spent inside the air‑side lounge. It carries the same two‑year, multi‑entry validity as the other types, so a repeat connection next season needs no fresh application. You must remain inside the transit zone; step beyond the customs line and you will need a visitor ETA instead.

➝ Australian Permanent Resident NZ ETA

Australian citizens enter New Zealand visa‑free, yet Australian permanent residents do not share that privilege. Apply for this ETA before crossing the Tasman and enjoy the same welcome as other short‑stay guests—no added forms at the gate.

➝ Cruise Passenger NZ ETA

Sailing into New Zealand? The Cruise ETA serves as your boarding pass to each port. Any passenger, even one from a non‑waiver state, may request it provided arrival and departure both occur by ship. Flying in to meet the vessel or flying home later still demands the correct air ETA or visa for that leg. Requirements mirror the standard version: valid passport, health and character clearance, plus payment of the IVL tourism levy.

➝ General Visitor NZ ETA (Tourism & Business)

Most readers will select the General Visitor ETA—the all‑purpose ticket for holidays, family visits, or brief business meetings. It permits stays of up to three months per visit (six for British nationals) and lets you return as often as you wish within two years. Work and long‑term study remain outside its scope, yet trail walks, wine tastings, conferences, and client calls fit comfortably inside.

NZ ETA vs Visitor Visa

The ETA suits short visits: holidays, brief study blocks, conferences, site checks, family reunions, or transit. If you plan paid work, media assignments, or long‑term study, explore other visa classes.

NZ ETA Five‑Step Application Path

We handle the architecture so you can focus on that first flat white.

Step 1 – Begin Your Application

Open our secure NZ ETA Application Portal and mirror your passport exactly: every accent mark, every middle name. Precision prevents “document mismatch” errors that delay approval.

Step 2 – Enter Travel Information

Declare your purpose—tourism, business, study under three months, or transit—plus arrival date, intended length of stay, and address in New Zealand if arranged. Unsure of lodging? Type “TBA – will update” and email us once booked.

Step 3 – Select Processing Speed

Choose Standard when departure sits comfortably ahead, Rush when it looms, Super Rush when the boarding gate already echoes your name.

Step 4 – Upload Documents & Pay

Upload:

• Passport scan – colour, 300 dpi, ≤ 10 MB, full data page visible.
• Digital photo – neutral face, plain background, under six months old.
  Pay with Visa, Mastercard, Amex, UnionPay, Apple Pay, or Google Pay. Retain the receipt email for your records.

Step 5 – Submit & Confirm

Press Submit. Within sixty seconds you receive a reference ID. We push status notifications at each milestone and text you the instant approval posts. Print nothing—the ETA links invisibly to your passport chip.

Documents & Details Checklist

• Passport valid at least 3 months beyond your final departure and bearing two blank pages for stamps.
• Digital colour photo (JPEG or PNG, 500–750 pixels wide).
• Debit/credit card for payment.
• Email address for confirmation.
• Return or onward ticket (airlines check).
• Evidence of funds (e.g., recent statement) in case an officer requests proof at the gate.

Scan Perfection

Lay the passport flat under soft light, avoid glare, and frame the machine‑readable zone clearly. Think of it as photographing a rare stamp: clarity speeds the algorithm that validates your identity.

Permitted & Prohibited Activities

Allowed on ETA	Not Allowed
Leisure travel, family visits	Paid employment for NZ entity
Business meetings, trade fairs	Study longer than 90 days
Short non‑profit volunteering	Long‑term media assignments
Study courses ≤ 3 months	Medical procedures burdening public system
Airport or cruise transit	Resettlement or permanent stay

Plan within these bounds and your trip remains lawful and light‑hearted.

Staying Compliant – Field Notes from the Border

Declare every organic item. In 2023 a traveller failed to mention a single jar of mānuka honey; customs fined him NZD 400 on the spot. The fine tasted far less sweet than the product. Remember: honesty costs nothing, silence can cost plenty.

Other tips:

• Keep passport on your person; hotel safes are fine at night.
• Respect the 90‑day clock—it starts at the moment the entry stamp hits paper.
• Drive on the left; take a night at an airport hotel if jet lag clouds judgment.
• Bio‑security mats may ask you to scrub hiking boots. Comply; it saves you and the fragile ecosystem.

Timing & Tariffs—Choosing the Lane That Suits Your Pace

Life rarely runs at one speed. Historical data from winter 2024 shows 92 % of Standard files cleared within 1-6 Working Days; Rush shortened that to under 1- 3 Working Days, Super Rush to under 24 Hours. Investing in calm can cost less than a single café round at an airport lounge.

Fee Component	Note
Government ETA fee	Range reflects travel purpose
Service fee	Flat
Rush surcharge	Optional
Super Rush surcharge	Optional

Travel in May or early June and you may see Standard approvals fly through even faster, as seasonal demand dips.

Visit the NZ ETA Cost page for a complete fee outlook.

Travel Advice That Lightens Your Landing

1. Plan snack strategy – vacuum‑sealed nuts pass bio‑security, fresh fruit does not.
2. Dress in layers – Auckland sunshine can surrender to drizzle in fifteen minutes.
3. Download the NZ COVID Tracer (if active) well before departure.
4. Opt for eSIM – rural valleys steal signal; an eSIM from a major carrier holds best coverage.
5. Book ferry tickets early – Interislander seats vanish during school breaks.

Your Two‑Year Ticket

Think of the ETA as a multi‑entry lounge pass valid for twenty‑four rolling months. Each arrival may last up to ninety days. Leave before day ninety, and you can return later in the same validity window. Only a new passport ends the cycle.

Your First Footstep onto the Fern‑Lined Track

The ETA Portal stands ready to process your form the moment you finish reading. Click Begin NZ ETA Application, check your inbox for approval, and write the first line of a story you will retell for decades. Short stays, long memories. Let the land of the long white cloud greet you with open skies, crisp air, and adventures measured not in miles but in smiles.

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I apply? Does each family member need an ETA? What if the airline system fails? Is one ETA enough for several cruises in a season? Can I stay longer than ninety days?

Content Disclaimer: This content was refreshed in April 2025. Please confirm all travel details with the New Zealand embassies, agencies, and airlines for complete accuracy.