Welcome. The purpose of this guide is to provide a clear, precise, and comprehensive explanation of every passport requirement that applies when one obtains a New Zealand Electronic Travel Authority (ETA). By following these pages, the reader can avoid delays, meet official standards, and arrive in New Zealand fully prepared.
The Passport–ETA Connection
An New Zealand ETA is not a visa label affixed to a blank page. It is an electronic clearance stored in an immigration database and matched to one, and only one, passport number. Whenever that passport number changes, the former approval becomes invalid. This immutable link explains every rule that follows: validity periods, name accuracy, photo quality, and document re-issue procedures.
Privileges Granted by an ETA
Stay up to three months per visit (up to six months when the holder is a citizen of the United Kingdom).
Enter repeatedly for two years or until the passport expires—whichever date arrives first.
Use automated eGates at major airports, bypassing manual visa inspection.
Passport Validity and Renewal Timelines
Minimum Requirement
New Zealand legislation states that the passport must remain valid for at least three months beyond the planned date of departure from New Zealand. Airlines, however, usually apply a six-month safety margin. Travellers are advised to meet the six-month margin; doing so removes any discretion at airline check-in counters.
Rule
Preferred Margin
Valid ≥ 3 months after exit
Maintain ≥ 6 months for assurance
Renewal Options
Standard Service – Most authorities dispatch a replacement passport within eight working days.
Urgent Service – Expedited production, often two working days, attracts a higher fee.
Overseas Renewal – Applications lodged at consulates abroad involve courier time; plan for added days.
If the passport has fewer than 12 months’ validity at the time of application, renewal before the ETA request is strongly recommended.
Personal note: We once spent a damp Tuesday in Queenstown guiding a couple to urgent renewal because their passports were due to expire in four months. They missed Milford Sound that week. Plan better than they did.
Data Integrity: Names, Numbers, and Codes
The ETA system compares the applicant’s entries with both the visual inspection zone (VIZ) and the machine-readable zone (MRZ) on the passport. The MRZ (the string of <<<<< symbols) omits accents and condenses some characters. Enter every symbol exactly as the MRZ presents it.
Frequent Errors and Preventive Measures
Common Error
Preventive Action
Letter “O” typed as zero
Cross-check each digit before submission
Family name order reversed
Enter names exactly as printed
Accent retained when MRZ removes it
Follow the MRZ, not local spelling
Digit transposed in passport number
Read aloud and match character by character
A single error can invalidate the approval and cause boarding refusal.
Provide an email address in daily use, set a secure password, and confirm a mobile number. The New Zealand ETA portal uses the mobile number only for status alerts.
Step 2 | Enter Personal Details
Input full legal name, date of birth, citizenship, passport number, issue date, and expiry date. Copy directly from the passport photo page to prevent discrepancies.
Step 3 | Declare Travel Information
State the principal purpose of travel (tourism, business, study, or transit). Provide the proposed arrival date, intended length of stay, and first-night address where available.
Step 4 | Select Processing Speed
Processing Tier
Average Approval Time
Relative Fee
Standard
1-6 Working Days
Base
Rush
1- 3 Working Days
+ 25 %
Super Rush
Within 24 Hours
+ 50 %
The interface displays the monetary amount before payment. Select the tier most consistent with flight timing.
Step 5 | Upload Passport Scan and Photograph
Passport Scan – Colour image, all four edges visible, file size 500 kB – 10 MB, no glare.
Photograph – Neutral expression, light background, dimensions 35 mm × 45 mm, captured within the last six months.
Step 6 | Payment
Visa, Mastercard, or American Express are accepted. Retain the receipt email that displays the unique application reference number.
Step 7 | Submission and Confirmation
Select Submit. The portal shows a success screen immediately, and a confirmation email follows within minutes. Keep both records.
Image Quality Standards
Poor image quality is the principal reason for manual review and delay. Ensure the following conditions:
Place the passport on a matte, light-coloured surface.
Use diffused daylight, avoiding reflective overhead lighting.
Capture the image in the phone’s highest native resolution.
Do not resize or compress before upload.
Special Scenarios
➔ Dual Citizenship
An individual possessing two passports must apply with the passport eligible for visa-waiver entry. The ETA attaches to that passport only. Carrying the second passport while travelling is recommended but not mandatory for New Zealand entry.
➔ Minors
Each child, including infants, requires a separate ETA. A parent or guardian should complete the application and employ a parent’s email address if necessary.
➔ Temporary and Emergency Passports
Most emergency travel documents lack an embedded chip. They are therefore incompatible with the ETA system. Secure a full-validity passport before proceeding.
➔ Damaged Passports
Visibly damaged passports—torn pages, water exposure, ink smears—may be rejected at airline check-in. Replace before applying for the ETA.
Arrival Procedures
➔ Airline Verification
When the passport is scanned at departure, the airline reservation system accesses INZ servers and confirms ETA status. Presentation of a printed visa label is unnecessary.
➔ Automated Border Control (eGates)
At major airports travellers aged twelve and above may use eGates. Lay the passport on the reader, face the camera, and proceed once the gate opens.
➔ Supporting Documentation
While the ETA is electronic, carrying a printed copy or an offline PDF is prudent. It expedites any manual inspection in the unlikely event of a temporary systems outage.
Addressing Unexpected Changes
➔ Lost Passport Before Departure
Cancel the itinerary temporarily, acquire a replacement passport, and submit a new ETA request. The original approval is void once the associated passport is lost.
➔ Lost Passport During the Trip
Report the loss to local police.
Contact the nearest diplomatic mission.
Obtain a replacement passport.
Request a fresh ETA before re-entering New Zealand.
➔ Name Change (Marriage or Deed Poll)
Secure a passport in the new name first. Once issued, repeat the ETA application procedure. The previous approval cannot be amended.
➔ ETA Expiry Mid-Itinerary
Check both ETA and passport validity before every departure toward New Zealand. If either expires before scheduled arrival, apply anew.
Data Protection and Retention
Immigration New Zealand stores ETA applications on servers located within New Zealand. Data is encrypted in transit and at rest. Retention corresponds to the approval period plus ninety days, after which automated scripts delete personal details in accordance with domestic privacy law.
Environmental Considerations
New Zealand maintains strict environmental policies. Minimise printed material: one sheet is sufficient for contingency, and recycling facilities are widespread. Travellers are encouraged to carry digital copies wherever practical.
Conclusion
A successful journey begins with precise documentation. When the passport is in order and the ETA properly linked, departure formalities become routine and arrival procedures remain swift. By adhering to the directions contained in this guide—maintaining valid documents, ensuring accurate data entry, and complying with quality requirements—travellers safeguard their own schedules and contribute to efficient border operations.
Frequently Asked Questions
Renew when fewer than twelve months remain; the ETA then lasts its full two-year term.
They do not. The ETA remains valid as long as it covers both entry and exit dates.
It is not compulsory; it is recommended. One printed page resolves rare system failures.
Any reflection obscuring characters may trigger manual review. Retake images under indirect light.
Fees are non-refundable. Comprehensive travel insurance is advisable for such contingencies.
Content Disclaimer: This content was refreshed in May 2025. Please confirm all travel details with the New Zealand embassies, agencies, and airlines for complete accuracy.
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