The moment you arrive in New Zealand, your journey begins — as long as your New Zealand Electronic Travel Authority (NZ ETA) is already approved in the immigration system. If you hold a passport from a visa-waiver country or plan to disembark from a cruise ship, you’ll need one ( New Zealand ETA). In this guide, you'll find everything you need to know — who needs to apply, who’s exempt, and how to complete the process smoothly and accurately.
Think of the ETA as a quick digital check-in with New Zealand — simple, secure, and essential for a seamless arrival. Let’s get you ready for takeoff.
In late 2019, New Zealand placed a simple yet robust link between visitor convenience and national security: the NZ ETA. Technically, it is neither a visa nor mere pre-registration; it is a binding authority that confirms you may board a carrier bound for New Zealand and, upon arrival, present yourself for entry. The policy emerged from three imperatives:
The ETA draws its mandate from the Immigration Act 2009 and associated 2019 regulations. Airlines and cruise operators are legally barred from carrying ETA-liable passengers who cannot show approved status in the Advance Passenger Processing (APP) feed. Carriers shoulder fines up to NZD 50,000 per breach—hence the strict gate-check you meet long before you see a koru tailfin.
The NZ ETA Fee depends upon the type of ETA you select. It typically ranges from about $110 up to $160 USD.
(Why the range?) If you’re applying for a standard NZeTA (which includes New Zealand’s International Visitor Conservation and Tourism Levy), your fee will be on the higher end (around $160 USD). For a transit ETA or certain cases not requiring the full tourism levy, the fee may be closer to the lower end (~$110 USD).
Payment accepts major credit, debit, and certain digital wallets. No cash, no bank transfer, no exceptions.
You can obtain a comprehensive understanding of the ETA fee by visiting the NZ ETA Cost page.
Citizens of 60+ territories, from Argentina to the United States, enjoy visa-free stays up to 90 days but must hold a valid NZ ETA. Australian permanent residents (non-citizens) also sit in this category.
If you board a cruise bound for New Zealand—no matter your passport—the shipping line will demand an ETA before embarkation. The rule ensures smooth maritime arrival at ports like Tauranga or Lyttelton.
Crew ETA (CETA) rules apply to cabin, flight-deck, and super-yacht staff staying less than seven days in port. The process mimics the visitor ETA but is lodged by your employer and renews every five years.
To ascertain your eligibility, kindly visit the New Zealand ETA Eligible Country page, which provides the most up-to-date policies and a comprehensive list of eligible nationalities.
Holders of a New Zealand passport or residence class visa swipe past without paperwork.
Full Australian citizens—not permanent residents—enter under the Trans-Tasman Travel Arrangement and skip the ETA.
Travellers from states such as Brazil or Saudi Arabia who remain air-side in Auckland for under 24 hours may skip both visa and ETA. Everyone else transiting must apply.
Scientists posted to Scott Base and invited defence forces arrive under government-to-government protocols; no ETA applies.
Open the NZ ETA Application Portal. Enter your personal details exactly as they appear on your passport: full legal name, date of birth, nationality, and the two-line machine-readable code beneath your photo.
State the purpose of your visit (tourism, business, study, transit, or other), your anticipated arrival date, planned length of stay, and—if known—the address of your first night’s lodging.
Select one of three tracks:
The choice affects only speed, never approval quality.
Follow the on-screen guide to upload a clear passport scan and a passport-style photograph. The system then combines the ETA charge with the International Visitor Conservation and Tourism Levy (IVL) in a single payment. Keep the digital receipt for your records.
Submit the form to receive an on-screen reference number. An email follows, acknowledging receipt. Approval often arrives within minutes; allow up to 48 hours for manual checks. When it does, note the validity dates and store a PDF copy or screenshot on your phone.
Bio-security rules prohibit fresh fruit, honeycomb, mud-laden boots. Complete the NZ Traveller Declaration digitally 24 hours pre-flight and tick “Nothing to declare” only if absolutely certain. Book inter-island ferries early, arrange regional flight passes, and preload your phone with the WeatherWatch NZ app—mountain forecasts shift by the hour.
Airline systems reject your check-in barcode. Ground staff hand you a leaflet directing you to the official app. You rush, Wi-Fi stalls, boarding gate closes. A clear example: In January 2025, 46 passengers on a single Los Angeles–Auckland flight were off-loaded for lacking approved ETA status; each paid re-booking fees exceeding the ETA cost tenfold.
Your NZ ETA fee envelops the IVL; that levy funds predator traps along the Heaphy Track, toilets in Abel Tasman bays, and MÄori tourism partnerships on ancestral whenua. Consider walking one leg of the Te Araroa long trail, donating a day’s time to a conservation project, or choosing eco-certified lodges to amplify the impact your levy already makes.
The NZ ETA is small in price, swift to obtain, and mighty in consequence. Apply as soon as flights are firm, guard your passport’s validity, and treat the process as a courteous digital handshake with the nation you are about to enjoy. By securing that clearance now, you grant yourself permission to focus on the tastes, trails, and conversations that will define your stay. Welcome to New Zealand — prepared, confident, and already connected.
Is the ETA multiple-entry?
Yes — unlimited arrivals during its two-year life or until the linked passport expires.
How fast can I get approval?
Most travellers receive confirmation within ten minutes; allow 48 hours for edge cases.
Do children need an ETA?
Every passport holder, regardless of age, requires an individual ETA.
Can I update my ETA after approval?
You may change contact details, but a new passport or name demands a new application.
I’m sailing on a private yacht—do I apply?
Yes. Select “Other” for transport mode and enter vessel details when prompted.
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.
