New Zealand’s visa policy for tourists is incredibly simple, as there are only two ways to enter.
Many travelers are visa-exempt, in which case they need to get an NZeTA online. Everybody else needs to apply for a Visitor Visa.
This article summarizes all the important information about the New Zealand visa for tourists and the relevant details.
Table of Contents
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New Zealand Visa Policy
Australians are visa-exempt to travel, live, and work in New Zealand for an indefinite period under the Trans-Tasman Travel Agreement.
Citizens of 60 countries and territories are on New Zealand’s visa waiver list. However, all of them must apply for the NZeTA before traveling.
All other nationalities must obtain a Visitor Visa.
Everyone except for Australians and people from the Pacific Island countries must pay an International Visitor Levy fee, included in the NZeTA or Visa cost.
| Visa Type | Eligibility | Cost | Validity | Entries Allowed | Permitted Stay |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Australians | – | Free | Indefinite | Unlimited | Indefinite |
| NZeTA | 60 countries | 52 NZD (if applied through the app) | 2 years | Unlimited | 90 days at a time but no more than 6 months in any 12-month period. |
| Visitor Visa | Everyone else | Up to 246 NZD (less if from a Pacific Island Nation) | 6 months for single-entry visa. 3-5 years for multiple-entry visas. | Depends on the visa if it’s single or multiple-entry | Single entry for 9 months or multiple entries for 6 months |
Passport validity required
Your passport must be valid for at least 3 months after the intended departure date from New Zealand.
Entry requirements
The common entry requirements for all incoming tourists to New Zealand are:
- Be of good health (don’t intend to seek medical treatment)
- Be of good character (not have a criminal record and not having been deported from any country)
- Have a return or onward ticket
Onward ticket
You must have proof of return or onward ticket when traveling to New Zealand. These tickets must be paid and confirmed. If the country after New Zealand requires an onward ticket, then you must have proof of an onward ticket from that country as well.
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NZeTA (Visa Waiver)
The New Zealand Electronic Travel Authorization (NZeTA) was introduced on 1 October 2019. Ever since the Visa Waiver and the NZeTA have become identical.
Eligibility
If you’re from one of these 60 visa-exempt countries, you must obtain an NZeTA before traveling to New Zealand.
3 months stay
- Andorra
- Argentina
- Austria
- Bahrain
- Belgium
- Brazil
- Brunei
- Bulgaria
- Canada
- Chile
- Croatia
- Cyprus
- Czechia
- Denmark
- Estonia
- Finland
- France
- Germany
- Greece
- Hong Kong
- Hungary
- Iceland
- Ireland
- Israel
- Italy
- Japan
- Kuwait
- Latvia
- Liechtenstein
- Lithuania
- Luxembourg
- Macau
- Malaysia
- Malta
- Mauritius
- Mexico
- Monaco
- Netherlands
- Norway
- Oman
- Poland
- Portugal
- Qatar
- Romania
- San Marino
- Saudi Arabia
- Seychelles
- Singapore
- Slovakia
- Slovenia
- South Korea
- Spain
- Sweden
- Switzerland
- Taiwan
- United Arab Emirates
- United States of America
- Uruguay
- Vatican City
6 months stay
- United Kingdom
Application, Cost, and Processing Time
You can apply for NZeTA online through the New Zealand Immigration website or using the free NZeTA app. You can download the NZeTA app from Google Play or the App Store.
The application costs 23 NZD through the website or 17 NZD through the app.
Most NZeTA applications are processed within 3 days. Outside of the high summer season, applications are processed almost immediately.
Validity and Allowed Stay
The NZeTA is valid for 2 years after it’s granted. It allows stays of up to 90 days except for UK nationals who can stay up to 6 months.
There is no limit to the times you can enter New Zealand. However, you cannot stay longer than 6 months in any rolling 12-month period (even for UK passports).
For more information, read the complete guide to New Zealand NZeTA for details on eligibility, required documents, the NZeTA mobile app and the application process.
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Visitor Visa
The Visitor Visa is for everyone traveling to New Zealand for tourist purposes who isn’t visa-exempt. If you obtain a Visitor visa, you don’t have to apply for NZeTA.
Single-entry
The single-entry visa is valid for 6 months from the date of issue and once you enter you can stay in New Zealand for up to 9 months.
It is extendable by up to 3 months to a total of 12 months.
Multiple-entry
The multiple-entry visa’s validity is:
- Not longer than the passport’s validity
- 5 years for nationals of China
- 4 years for nationals of the US
- 3 years for all other nationalities
Once you enter, you can stay in New Zealand for up to 6 months but no longer than 6 months in any 12-month period.
Requirements
On top of the general visa requirements outlined above, when applying for the Visitor Visa, you must meet the following requirements;
- You are in good health (medical exam is required if staying longer than 6 months)
- You have a good character (must not have any criminal convictions)
- You must have a genuine intention to visit as a tourist (must have strong ties with your home country and a decent travel history).
- You must have sufficient funds (1000 NZD per month minimum)
Application and Processing Time
Visitor visas can be applied online on the New Zealand Immigration website. Most applications (80%) are processed within 5 weeks of application.
Documentation
- One digital passport photo for online applications
- A copy of the passport’s photo page
- All previous and current visas and entry and exit stamps from your passport
- Previous visa refusals for any country (if you have any)
- Current visa or residence permit (if applying from a country other than your home country)
- Flight reservations, hotel bookings and attraction tickets
- Employment letter and leave approval letters
- Bank statements with at least 1000 NZD balance per month of stay in New Zealand
- Evidence of family members in your home country
- Evidence of assets in your home country such as properties, business, etc.
Cost
The price of the Visitor Visa depends on your nationality. It is between 171 and 246 NZD. The International Visitor Levy is included in this price except for exempt Pacific Island nations (see below).
For more information, read the complete guide on New Zealand Visitor Visa for eligibility, requirements, documentation and application process.
Benefits of a New Zealand visa
New Zealand visa also works as a substitute visa for traveling to other countries. As of 2024, you can travel to 12 countries with a New Zealand visa. Read this article on VISA-FREE countries for New Zealand visa to learn how to visit these 12 countries.
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Transit Visa
Transit without leaving the airport is only available at Auckland International for up to 24 hours. You would either need an NZeTA or a Transit visa.
Transits longer than 24 hours are not allowed at Auckland airport. If your transit is longer than 24 hours, you will clear immigration. You would need a Visitor Visa or NZeTA( if from a visa-waiver country) in that case.
NOTE
Airports in New Zealand, except Auckland International Airport, do not have transit zones. That means, transiting at airports in New Zealand other than Auckland International Airport requires clearing immigration. You would need a Visitor Visa or NZeTA (if from a visa-waiver country).
Transit with NZeTA
The following nationalities require an NZeTA to transit at Auckland International Airport.
- All nationalities when traveling to or from Australia
- Must remain in the transit zone unless you’re from a visa-waiver country
- Transit visa waiver countries
- Must remain in the transit zone
- Visa-waiver countries
- Can also enter NZ
Transit visa waiver countries
- Bahamas
- Bermuda
- Bolivia
- Colombia
- Costa Rica
- Ecuador
- Indonesia
- Kiribati
- Marshall Islands
- Micronesia
- Nauru
- Palau
- Panama
- Papua New Guinea
- Paraguay
- Peru
- Philippines
- Samoa
- Solomon Islands
- Thailand
- Tonga
- Tuvalu
- Vanuatu
- Venezuela
Requirements
A transit visa does not allow entry to the country, it’s strictly meant for transiting at Auckland International Airport. The transit period must be less than 24 hours.
Application and cost
Nationalities that require a transit visa can apply online on the New Zealand Immigration portal. A transit visa costs 180 NZD.
Below is the summary of transit visa requirements for New Zealand.
| Visa Type | Travel to/from Australia | Travel to/from other country |
|---|---|---|
| Visa waiver (60 countries) | NZeTA (can enter NZ) | NZeTA (can enter NZ) |
| Transit visa waiver (24 countries) | NZeTA (must stay in transit area) | NZeTA (must stay in transit area) |
| All other countries | NZeTA (must stay in transit area) | Transit Visa |
For more information, read the complete guide on New Zealand Transit Visa for requirements, application process and transit procedure at the airport.
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International Visitor Levy
Visitors to New Zealand must pay a fee for conservation and the maintenance of tourism infrastructure. This fee is called the International Visitor Levy (IVL). It is 35 NZD per person.
The IVL is included in the price of the Visitor Visa or added to the cost of the NZeTA when applying. It is payable once per visa/NZeTA, NOT per entry!
Visitors from these countries and territories are exempt from paying the IVL:
- American Samoa
- Australia
- Cook Islands
- Fiji
- Kiribati
- Marshall Islands
- Micronesia
- Niue
- Nauru
- Palau
- Papua New Guinea
- Pitcairn Islands
- Samoa
- Solomon Islands
- Tonga
- Tuvalu
- Vanuatu.
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New Zealand Traveler Declaration (Arrival Card)
All travelers must complete a traveler declaration before reaching passport control. You can complete it either online at the New Zealand Traveler Declaration website or on paper at the airport.
Pay close attention to the requirements to declare certain items. New Zealand has very strict biosecurity protocols and failure to declare even otherwise safe items may lead to instant fines or more severe penalties.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Do I need a visa to travel to New Zealand?
All nationalities except Australians require either an NZeTA or a Visitor Visa to travel to New Zealand.
How many days can I stay in New Zealand without a visa?
Visa waiver nationalities can stay up to 90 days per visit (up to 6 months for UK citizens) in New Zealand. Total stay cannot exceed 6 months in a rolling 12-month period. All visa waiver nationals require an NZeTA to visit New Zealand.
Note that you must apply for an NZeTA before you travel even if visa-exempt.
How long does it take to get a visitor visa for New Zealand in 2024?
It takes about 5 weeks or more to get a Visitor visa for New Zealand. About 80% of visitor visa applications are processed within 5 weeks.
How much bank balance is required for a New Zealand visa?
A bank balance of at least 1000 NZD per month of stay is required for a New Zealand visa. This can be 400 NZD if you have already paid for your accommodation.
