Your Complete Guide to Unlock all NZ ETA Types

What is an NZeTA? Your Key to Kiwi Adventures

Think of the NZ eTA as a golden ticket into New Zealand’s wonderland. It’s not exactly a visa, but a digital travel authority required for visitors from visa-waiver countries, cruise ship passengers, and even those just transiting through. Once approved, an NZeTA is valid for two years and allows multiple entries into New Zealand during that time. This means you can hop over to NZ, leave, and come back again as many times as you like within two years.

With an NZeTA, each visit can be up to 90 days long (about three months) per entry. If you’re a British citizen, you can stay up to 180 days (six months) on a visit with an NZeTA. Importantly, the NZeTA comes with a small cost (a processing fee plus an International Visitor Conservation and Tourism Levy (IVL)), but it’s a minor fee for entry.

New Zealand introduced the NZeTA to enhance security and help fund conservation. For travelers, it’s a simple online form that replaces the need to get a visa for short visits. In short, if you’re coming for tourism, a short business trip, or transit, the NZeTA is your hassle-free entry pass to New Zealand.

Types of NZeTA

Not all journeys are the same, and New Zealand recognizes that by offering a few different types of NZeTA depending on your travel situation. All NZeTA types share the same core benefits – two-year validity, multiple entries, and the freedom to enjoy NZ as a visitor.

Let’s break down the three main NZeTA types and see which fits your adventure:

NZeTA for Transit Passengers

Are you simply passing through New Zealand on your way to another destination? The NZeTA for transit passengers is designed just for you. Even if you won’t be leaving the airport, New Zealand requires transit travelers from eligible countries to have an NZeTA.

This transit NZeTA carries the same two-year, multiple-entry validity as the others, so if you find yourself connecting through Auckland again next year, you won’t need to reapply.

Note: as a transit passenger, you must remain in the airport’s transit area during your layover (if you plan to leave the airport and enter New Zealand, you’ll need a general visitor NZeTA instead). Whether you’re pausing in Auckland for a few hours or switching planes en route to another country, the transit NZeTA keeps your journey smooth and worry-free.

NZeTA for Australian Residence Card Holders

Australian citizens don’t need an NZeTA or visa to visit New Zealand, but Australian permanent residents do. So if you call Australia home but aren’t an Aussie citizen, be sure to apply for an NZeTA before you hop across the Tasman Sea. Once you have it, you’ll enjoy New Zealand’s hospitality just like any other visitor.

NZeTA for Cruise‑Ship Travellers 

Sailing into New Zealand on a cruise? This NZeTA is your boarding pass to every port of call. It covers you for the full length of your voyage and, like the others, stays valid for two years with unlimited entries.

A few points to keep in mind:

Who can apply? Any cruise passenger whose ship will dock in New Zealand. Even travellers from countries that normally need a visa may request this NZeTA if they arrive and depart by cruise.
What does it let you do? Step ashore, explore each harbour town, join shore excursions, or meet friends and family – all without a separate visitor visa.
Flying in or out? If you plan to fly into New Zealand to join the ship, or fly home after disembarking, make sure you also hold the right NZeTA or visa for that flight segment.
The basics still apply. You’ll need a valid passport, meet health and character rules, and pay the IVL (tourism levy) when you apply.

With the cruise NZeTA sorted, you can relax on deck, watch the coast draw near, and look forward to each stop knowing your paperwork is already in order.

NZeTA for General Visitors (Tourism & Business)

This is the general NZeTA that most travelers will use – your all-purpose ticket to explore New Zealand for leisure or short business visits. If you’re a citizen of a visa-waiver country (like the USA, Canada, the UK, EU nations, Japan, and more) and you’re coming to New Zealand for a holiday, to visit family/friends, or to attend meetings/conferences, this is the NZeTA you’ll need.

With the general NZeTA, you can savor New Zealand’s delights – from nature hikes to city sights – for up to 3 months per visit (or 6 months for Brits). The multi-entry feature means you could come for a summer road trip, return home, and then fly back for a winter festival, all on the same NZeTA within that two-year period.

Just remember, your visit must be for tourism, business, or transit – you’re not allowed to take up a job or long-term study on an NZeTA. Also, like all NZeTA travelers, you’ll need to meet the health and character requirements and have a return ticket and enough funds (we’ll cover those next). The general NZeTA lets you visit without the hassle of applying for a visa.

NZeTA Eligibility and Requirements

Before you pack your bags, make sure you tick off the eligibility requirements for an NZeTA.

Valid passport from an eligible country: You must travel on a passport from a visa-waiver country or be an eligible Australian permanent resident. Your passport should be valid for at least 3 months beyond your planned departure from New Zealand.
Travel purpose – tourism, business, or transit: You’re coming to New Zealand for a holiday or short business activities, or transiting on the way to another destination. No working jobs or long-term study is allowed on an NZeTA.
Good health: You should be in generally good health. You’ll be asked in the application if you are seeking medical treatment or have serious health issues; as long as you’re not, you’re meeting the health requirement.
Good character: You must have no serious criminal convictions and haven’t been deported or expelled from any country. The NZeTA form will ask a few questions about this. Basically, if you have a clean record, you’re fine.
Sufficient funds: You need to have enough money to support yourself during your stay. As a guideline, you should have around NZD $1,000 per month of your visit (or $400 per month if your accommodation is prepaid) available. It’s just to ensure you won’t get stuck without money.
Onward or return ticket: You must have proof of onward travel, like a return ticket home or a ticket to your next destination beyond New Zealand. This shows you intend to leave when your visit is over.

If you meet these conditions, you’re good to go!

How to Apply for Your NZeTA (Step-by-Step Guide)

Applying for an NZeTA is a simple process you can do online. Think of it as the first small step of your adventure – a little prep work before you board your flight. Here’s how to get it done:

Traveller Enjoying Freedom In New Zealand

Check that you need one:Confirm that your nationality requires an NZeTA. If you’re from a visa-waiver country or an Australian permanent resident, you will need to apply. If unsure, check the List of Eligible Countries for Zealand ETA.

Prepare your passport: Make sure your passport is valid and handy. Remember the rule about it being valid at least 3 months past your departure date from New Zealand.

Fill out the application: Go to the New Zealand ETA website and fill in the New Zealand ETA Application Form. You’ll fill in personal details (name, passport number, etc.), your travel purpose (tourism, business, or transit), and answer yes/no questions about things like criminal history and health. It’s straightforward and only takes a few minutes to complete.

Pay the fees: When prompted, pay the NZeTA processing fee and the IVL (tourism levy) using your credit or debit card. The total is roughly NZD $52(NZD $17 for the NZeTA, plus NZD $35 for the IVL). This payment is secure and confirms your application.

Submit and wait for approval: Submit your application and keep an eye on your email. In most cases, approval comes back very fast – often within minutes or hours. Occasionally, it can take up to 72 hours. Once your NZeTA is approved, it will be digitally linked to your passport. You’ll get an email confirmation as proof.

That’s it! You’re done. Your NZeTA is ready, and you can breathe easy knowing this important entry requirement is taken care of. If it feels a bit daunting to do yourself, remember that it’s okay to ask for help. We even offer a 24/7 NZeTA Support Service to handle any application doubts you have. With that task done, you can focus on planning the fun stuff when you land in New Zealand.

Conclusion: Your Journey Begins Here

Your journey to New Zealand truly begins when you secure your NZeTA. Handling this one small task means you’ve packed the first essential item for your trip. With your NZeTA approved, you can board the plane with confidence and excitement, ready to explore. New Zealand’s lush forests, dramatic coastlines, and warm-hearted people are waiting to welcome you, and with the formalities behind you, you’ll breeze straight into adventure.

Here’s to you and your Kiwi adventure ahead. May your flights be smooth, your explorations eye-opening, and your memories treasured. New Zealand has opened its door to you – all you needed was that little NZeTA key. Your journey begins now.

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes. If you’re simply changing planes in New Zealand on the way to another country, you are required to have an NZeTA before you travel. Even though you won’t be leaving the airport, the travel authority is still needed to transit through Auckland.

Australian citizens do not need an NZeTA or visa to visit New Zealand. However, Australian permanent residents (who hold an Australian resident card or visa) do need to apply for an NZeTA before coming to NZ. So if you’re an Aussie PR, be sure to get your NZeTA. If you’re an Aussie citizen, you can just hop on the plane with your passport.

You can stay up to 90 days per visit on an NZeTA (that’s the limit for most travelers). If you’re a British citizen, you can stay up to 180 days on a visit. The NZeTA itself remains valid for 2 years, allowing multiple trips, so you can come back for more New Zealand experiences until it expires.

No. The NZeTA covers tourism, short business trips, and transit only. You cannot take up a job or enroll in long-term study on an NZeTA. If you intend to work or study in New Zealand, you’ll need to apply for a proper work visa or student visa.

NZeTA approvals are often very quick. However, it can take up to 6 days, so it’s wise to apply at least a few days before your flight. You can apply as early as you like (even weeks or months ahead). Once approved, your NZeTA will cover you for 2 years, giving you flexibility for future trips.

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