A Complete Guide to Apply for Visa for New Zealand

Before applying for a New Zealand visa, you have to know what NZeTA is, what are the useful methods to apply according to your situation, how many types visa are there and what is the validity of each type of visa and much more. Below is a guide clearing all your confusions about applying for a New Zealand visa and also, how to properly apply for one.

NZeTA

NZeTA or New Zealand’s Electronic Travel Authority is a system through which applicants can get permission to enter New Zealand. Through this, a traveller can travel without a visa if-

  • He/she travels from a country that is on the list visa-waiver countries
  • He/she is visiting up to 3 months (6 months if he/she is British)

The above conditions are a must to check before requesting for an NZeTA. It needs only a few days, precisely 2 to 3 days to process an NZeTA application. This system has started in order to improve security in New Zealand’s borderlines. The list of visa-waiver countries is given below:

  • Andorra
  • Argentina
  • Austria
  • Bahrain
  • Belgium
  • Brazil
  • Brunei
  • Bulgaria
  • Canada
  • Chile
  • Croatia
  • Cyprus
  • Czech Republic
  • Denmark
  • Estonia
  • Finland
  • France
  • Germany
  • Greece
  • Hong Kong
  • Hungary
  • Iceland
  • Ireland
  • Israel
  • Italy
  • Japan
  • Korea, South
  • Kuwait
  • Latvia
  • Liechtenstein
  • Lithuania
  • Luxembourg
  • Macau
  • Malaysia
  • Malta
  • Mauritius
  • Mexico
  • Monaco
  • Netherlands
  • Norway
  • Oman
  • Poland
  • Portugal
  • Qatar
  • Romania
  • San Marino
  • Saudi Arabia
  • Seychelles
  • Singapore
  • Slovak Republic
  • Slovenia
  • Spain
  • Sweden
  • Switzerland
  • Taiwan
  • United Arab Emirates
  • United Kingdom (UK)
  • United States of America (USA)
  • Uruguay
  • Vatican City

Methods of Visa Application

The easiest method to apply for a New Zealand visa is through NZeTA. It is a type of E-visa that lets you apply via online within only a couple of minutes. The whole process is short and simple and you do not need to spend extra money and energy that you would need to if you apply via embassies. This process beats standing in line at the ‘Visa on Arrival’ counter when you arrive in New Zealand. But before applying through any method, you need to check if you are eligible for an ETA for New Zealand. As such an easy system is the most common method to get a New Zealand visa, the Visa on Arrival system has become almost came to an end.


Visa types

There are 5 common types of visas for New Zealand, namely, Visitor Visa, Student Visa, Work Visa, Residence Visa, and Business Visa. There are a few other categories of visas too, Below is a set of information about the visas issued for travellers/residents of New Zealand.

  • Visitor Visa

    This visa is applicable for people who wants to visit New Zealand for tourism purpose.

  • Student Visa

    A student visa applied to foreign students studying in New Zealand during the time of his or her course of study.

  • Work Visa

    Work visas apply to foreigners who wish to apply for jobs in New Zealand. But before applying for it, he/she/they must have an approved job offer.

  • Residence Visa

    Getting a residence visa allows you to do whatever a native would do inside New Zealand. The duration is an indefinite period.

  • Business/Entrepreneur’s Visa

    To start or establish your business in New Zealand, you must have a Business/Entrepreneur’s Visa.

  • Investment Visa

    An applicant may be eligible for an Investment Visa if you have at least $3 million (NZD) to invest.

  • Partner and Children Visa

    An applicant can bring his/her parents, partner, and children to New Zealand. The detail of the visa is dependent on whether they would stay in New Zealand temporarily or permanently.

  • Transit Visa

    If the applicant is travelling to New Zealand via an Australian airport, he or she may also need an Australian Visa following

Validity of Visa

E-Visa for New Zealand aka the NZeTA is valid for a period of 2 years, with multiple entries.

The requirement of a New Zealand visa is dependent on some certain details about the applicant. An applicant will not need a visa to visit New Zealand if he or she is-

-a New Zealand/Australian citizen/resident

-a UK citizen/passport holder (6 months staying validity)

-a citizen of a country having visa waiver agreement with New Zealand (3 months staying validity)

The people other than who is mentioned above will need a visitor visa that will allow him/her to holiday in New Zealand for up to 9 months. Before applying for a visa the applicant is to make sure that his/her passport is valid for at least 3 months longer than the expected departure date. It is safe to apply in advance.

There is a plus point if you have an electronic passport that supports biometric system. A holder of e-passport, being over 12 years old, may be able to use New Zealand Customs eGate service. This is a system that allows the applicant to get through the customs and immigration checks faster.

Traveller information

Request an NZeTA

Use this form to request an NZeTA (New Zealand Electronic Travel Authority) and pay for an International Visitor Conservation and Tourism Levy (IVL).

From 1 October 2019, if you do not have an NZeTA you will not be allowed to travel.

Mobile app

The fastest way to request your NZeTA is by downloading our free app to your mobile phone. If you use the app it will take you less than 5 minutes to complete your request.

You can use the app to scan your passport to instantly upload your details and scan your credit or debit card for ease of payment.

Download the free app now.

Cost and processing time

Requesting an NZeTA costs NZD $9 through the app or NZD $12 if you use this form.

Allow up to 72 hours for processing, although it could take as little as 10 minutes.

 You need:

            A valid and updated passport that you will use to travel to New Zealand

            A credit card or debit card (Visa or Mastercard) for payment methods

            An email address

            A photo of your face, or a device that can take one.

The IVL

If you are entering New Zealand you must also pay an IVL (International Visitor Conservation and Tourism Levy), which funds tourism infrastructure and helps protect our natural environment. You pay the IVL at the same time as you request your NZeTA. The IVL costs NZD $35.

Your privacy

Photo Requirements

You need to provide a photo of your face that meets our requirements for NZeTA photos. You can either upload a recent photo or use your device's camera to take a photo. Make sure that it is taken against a plain white background and your face is properly visible.

Request your NZeTA

If your passport details are not correct you may not be able to travel. The star marked fields are mandatory to fill in. If not entered, there might be a delay in the processing of your Visa.              

Select your nationality as shown on the passport you will be travelling on *

(Find the field named ‘Nationality’ on your passport.)

Select the issuing country or territory as shown on your passport *

(Find the field named ’Code’, ‘Issuing Country’, or ‘Country Code’ on your passport.)

Enter your passport number exactly as it appears on your passport *

Select the expiry date as shown on your passport*

Day   Month     Year

Traveller information

Traveller details

The star marked fields are mandatory to fill in. If not entered, there might be a delay in the processing of your Visa.

Enter your family/last name(s) as shown on your passport *

Enter your given name(s) including your middle name(s) as shown on your passport ?

(if you do not have a family/last name, enter your given name(s) in the family/last name field and leave given name(s) blank.)

Check that you have included all of the given name(s) in your passport, including middle name(s). Not doing so may impact your ability to travel to New Zealand.

Have you ever been known by a different name? *

Choose the option that suits you the best.

                                                                                   No                Yes

Select your gender as shown on your passport *

Choose the option that suits you the best.

                                                  Female            Male          Gender Diverse

Select your date of birth as shown on your passport *     Day   Month    Year

Enter your place of birth * ?

(if there is no city/town/village on your passport, enter the name of the city/town/village where you were born.) The whole address is not needed.

Select your country or territory of birth * 

Enter a valid email address * ?

(information about your NZeTA request will be sent to this address. ) after you submit the application.

Confirm email address *

Enter your email address again

Are you permanent resident of Australia?? * ?

(Do you have an Australian permanent resident visa that allows you to return to Australia from overseas?)

Choose the option that suits you the best.

   No   Yes

Are you an Australian permanent resident? * ?

(Do you have an Australian permanent resident visa that allows you to return to Australia from overseas?)     No    Yes

Will you be staying in New Zealand?

Choose the option that suits you the best.

                                     Yes. I will be coming to New Zealand to visit

                                      No. I am a transit passenger

Are you a resident of American Samoa?    

Choose the option that suits you the best.

No  Yes

Traveller details

Eligibility questions

Answer some eligibility questions as mentioned below. The star marked fields are mandatory to fill in. If not entered, there might be a delay in the processing of your Visa.

Will you be travelling to New Zealand for medical consultation or treatment? *   No    Yes

Have you ever been deported, removed or excluded from another country (not New Zealand)?          No    Yes

Are you currently prohibited from entering New Zealand following deportation from New Zealand in the past?         No    Yes

Have you ever been convicted of any offence (in any country)?    No       Yes

Have you ever been convicted of an offence for which you were sentenced to five years or more imprisonment?               No    Yes

In the last 10 years have you been convicted of an offence for which you were sentenced to a prison term of 12 months or more?       No       Yes

Eligibility question

Review and confirm details

Please review your whole application thoroughly. Be sure to watch out for any typing mistake. For errors in the details you provided, your application might get rejected.

Check your details and make sure they are correct

Select your nationality as shown on the passport you will be travelling on

Select the issuing country or territory as shown on your passport

Enter your passport number exactly as it appears on your passport

Select the expiry date as shown on your passport

Review and confirm details

Traveller details

Enter your family/last name(s) as shown on your passport

Enter your given name(s) including your middle name(s) as shown on your passport

Check that you have included ALL the given name(s) in your passport, including middle name(s). Not doing so may impact your ability to travel to New Zealand.

Have you ever been known by a different name?

Select your gender as shown on your passport

Select your date of birth as shown on your passport

Enter your place of birth

Select your country or territory of birth

Enter a valid email address

Confirm email address

Are you an Australian permanent resident?

Will you be staying in New Zealand?

Are you a resident of American Samoa?

Traveller details

Eligibility questions

Will you be travelling to New Zealand for medical consultation or treatment?

Have you ever been deported, removed or excluded from another country (not New Zealand)?

Are you currently prohibited from entering New Zealand following deportation from New Zealand in the past?

Have you ever been convicted of any offence (in any country)?

Eligibility question

Declaration

NZeTA Request

Ensure you have checked your information carefully. You can go back and amend your information at any time before you submit your NZeTA request. The NZeTA request fee and IVL payment are not refundable.

Immigration New Zealand (INZ) will use the information you have provided in this form to assess your request for an NZeTA. Your information is also collected and used to improve for the purpose of improving INZ’s services and administration of the Immigration Act 2009. The information you have provided will be retained and will become a part of your New Zealand immigration record.

INZ will also use the email address provided to communicate with you about your request, your travel to New Zealand and matters relating to your immigration status while you are in New Zealand.

Before submitting your request, ensure you have read and understood the Privacy Statement

and NZeTA Terms of Use.

Declaration

To the best of my knowledge the information I have provided in this form is accurate and I have answered the questions truthfully and correctly.

I have provided a photograph of my face that is a true likeness of me and I have made reasonable efforts to meet the NZeTA photo requirements.

I understand that it is my responsibility to ensure that the passport details provided in this form match the details on the passport I intend to use when I travel to New Zealand. I have checked these details to confirm they are correct.

I understand that I must meet all other requirements to travel to New Zealand.

I understand that INZ may provide information to other agencies in New Zealand and overseas where such disclosure is required or permitted by the Privacy Act 1993, or otherwise required or permitted by law. I understand my information may be used to improve INZ’s services and administration of the Immigration Act 2009.

I understand that INZ will provide information about my eligibility to travel to New Zealand, including about my NZeTA to a carrier, including via an approved online enquiry system, in order to facilitate my travel.

I understand that the fee needed for the submission in non-refundable.

You must confirm the following:

Declaration

Pay and submit

Please proceed through the payment method to confirm your submission.

Purchase Summary

NZeTA (New Zealand Electronic Travel Authority) fee*    $12.00

International Visitor Conservation and Tourism Levy        $35.00

Total                                                                                   NZD $47.00

*Where applicable, GST is included.

The International Visitor Conservation and Tourism Levy (IVL) is a way for you to contribute directly to the tourism infrastructure you use and to help protect and enhance the natural environment you will enjoy during your stay in New Zealand. Find out more about the IVL at www.mbie.govt.nz/IVL.

 Purchase summary

Pay and submit