How It Works
A New Zealand Electronic Travel Authority or NZeTA is an electronically stored authority for travel to New Zealand for short-term Tourist, Business, or Cruise Ship travel for U.S. citizens plus 59 other nationalities.
Who Needs an NZeTA
You must apply for a NZeTA before you travel to New Zealand effective October 1, 2019 if you are:
- Visiting or in transit from a visa waiver country (USA) - that is, a country whose passport holders do not need to get a visa before they arrive in New Zealand.
- Traveling on a passport from a transit visa waiver country, and you will be in transit through Auckland Int'l airport on the way to another country.
- A permanent resident of Australia.
Tourist eTA – The Tourist NZeTA applies for travel for tourism only. Tourism includes vacation, holidays, recreation and visiting family and/or friends. It is valid for 2 years good for multiple entries of up to 3 months stay.
Business eTA – The Business NZeTA applies to business purposes only. Business purposes may include attending a meeting, conference, negotiation or an exploratory business visit. It is valid for 2 years good for multiple entries of up to 3 months stay.
Cruise Ship eTA - Cruise Ship NZeTA passengers from visa waiver countries must hold an NZeTA.
Cruise ship passengers from visa required countries can request an NZeTA or apply for a visa. If you are a cruise ship passenger from a visa required country travelling to New Zealand on a cruise ship, you can hold an NZeTA or a visa. If you are flying into New Zealand to meet a cruise ship, you will need to apply for a regular stamped visa. The NZeTA is valid for 2 years good for multiple entries of up to 3 months stay.
The New Zealand eTA visa is good for multiple entries to New Zealand for 2 years and allows travelers to stay in the country for stays of up to 90 days on any one entry. USA citizens up to 90 days. British citizens up to 180 days.
The New Zealand Traveler Declaration system collects your travel, customs, immigration and biosecurity information. It is free and everyone traveling into New Zealand must complete a declaration. Click Here to start your Declaration Form.
Traveling by Air:
The earliest you can submit your declaration is 24 hours before you start your trip to New Zealand. It needs to be submitted by the time you reach passport control in New Zealand.
Traveling by Sea:
The earliest you can submit your declaration is 24 hours before departing the vessel’s last foreign port prior to arriving in New Zealand. It needs to be submitted by the time the vessel has berthed at its first port in New Zealand.