Your vessel is more than transport; it is a floating passport or a pocket runway. With a Private Yacht or Plane Visitor Visa you steer through New Zealand’s border rather than queue at it. Over the next pages I will chart every waypoint—eligibility, funds, craft papers, Customs calls, life on board, and calm exits—so you arrive certain and leave content. Keep your logbook handy; note the tasks that suit your timeline, then enjoy the breeze. Arriving by private yacht or plane? Ensure seamless entry into New Zealand by securing the correct visitor visa and applying for your mandatory NZ eTA before your journey begins.
Arriving on wings or sails you command:
A private arrival bends rules only if you skip the formal pass. Secure the permit first; the rest feels like island-hopping inside your own story.
|
Feature |
Detail |
|
Stay length |
Up to 3 months per visit |
|
Multiple entry |
Yes, during that 3-month window |
|
Fee |
NZD 341 + IVL 35 (see §10) |
|
Processing (80 %) |
≤ 5 weeks |
|
Who you may include |
Partner + dependent children (≤ 19 yrs) |
|
Work allowed |
No local jobs; remote work for overseas clients permitted |
Think of it as a “cruising sticker” for both keel and wing—granting entry, movement, and a friendly goodbye when you sail or fly on.
Immigration weighs your travel plan, history, and wallet. Show a steady course: clear ports, booked slips, and an exit date. Honesty is your fair wind.
Evidence may be:
An accepted sponsor files INZ 1025, pledging to cover your costs or fines. Share copies with crew and keep one near the helm.
Carry either a booked ticket or liquid funds to buy one. If your next land also demands proof of onward travel, carry that second ticket.
Owners & Family – craft registration + hull insurance.
Crew & Guests – letter from owner or skipper confirming exit on board.
Every non-English paper needs a certified translator. Attach their credentials. Scan as PDF; avoid glare or shadows.
“Treat Customs reporting like announcing your arrival at a royal court: send notice early, sail in on schedule, and meet smiles rather than frowns.”
File arrival card 48 h before crossing the 12-NM line or FIR boundary. Customs assigns a first berth or airstrip.
Scrub decks, lockers, wheel wells. Dump fresh produce. Vacuum bilges for seeds. A clean hull halves inspection time.
Within 72 h of landfall present crew, passports, visa letters, craft papers. Officers may board first; offer coffee, not clutter.
Some marinas want proof of AUD/NZD 10 M third-party cover. Confirm your policy’s reach and bring a printed certificate.
Freelance code or design for an offshore client? Fine. Accept wages from a Kiwi firm? Visa breach. Keep invoices offshore.
Visitors pay full hospital rates. Carry travel-medical insurance for the entire cruise or flight period.
Late October, a spring southerly once burst through Breaksea Sound at 45 knots. We rode it out at anchor, waiting for parts flown in from Christchurch. Repairs took two weeks—long enough that my crew filed extension papers. Lessons:
|
Step |
Fee (NZD) |
Typical Time |
|
Visa application |
341 |
3–5 weeks |
|
International Visitor Conservation & Tourism Levy (IVL) |
35 |
Paid with visa |
|
Police certificate (if needed) |
country dependent |
2–30 days |
|
Biosecurity inspection (if extra treatment) |
varies |
on arrival |
Pay IVL at checkout in the online form; the system adds it automatically.
You hold every piece: passport, funds, craft papers, Customs code, insurance, and a clear exit date. New Zealand rewards care with fiords where dolphins slip under the bow and grass runways where peaks seem close enough to touch. Plan honestly, file neatly, greet officers with respect, and the rest is a tailwind.
Note: Verify fees and fuel prices before departure, as figures shift.
May I swap crew in NZ?
Yes; each new member needs their own visitor or crew visa before boarding.
Can I import spare parts duty-free?
Yes, if the parts are for your registered craft and declared at arrival.
Is satellite internet proof of funds?
No. Show bank statements or credit limits instead.
Does my 3-month timer reset if I sail to Fiji and back?
No. The clock runs until your visa expires or you hold fresh travel conditions.
How soon can I apply for an extension?
Any time after entry, yet at least two weeks before your current visa ends.
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.
