Your NZeTA, approved
before you fly
The fast, guided way to get New Zealand's electronic travel authority — for visa-waiver visitors, cruise passengers and Auckland transit. Need a visitor, work or student visa instead? We prepare those too.
- Allow 72 hours
- Valid 2 years, multiple entries
- Licensed immigration adviser
About 5 minutes · Secure checkout · Approval by email, linked to your passport
The NZeTA, Explained
The New Zealand Electronic Travel Authority is Immigration New Zealand’s pre-travel clearance for visa-waiver visitors. It sits digitally on your passport record, and airlines and cruise lines verify it before you board — no valid NZeTA, no boarding. On arrival you’re granted a visitor visa for the trip.
Everything happens online and usually takes only a few minutes: passport details, a photo, your contact information and a handful of health and character questions. The decision arrives by email — often within hours, though Immigration New Zealand says to allow up to 72 hours.
Who Has to Apply?
- Holidays & Family Visits – Sightseeing, leisure trips, or staying with friends and relatives, up to 3 months (6 for UK passport holders)
- Business Visits & Short Courses – Meetings, conferences, negotiations and study of up to 3 months
- Cruise Passengers – Anyone arriving on a cruise ship, whatever their nationality
- Auckland Transit – Changing planes at Auckland Airport, for up to 24 hours airside
Each traveller needs an NZeTA of their own — babies and children included — and Australian permanent residents need one too. You’re exempt only if you’re a New Zealand or Australian citizen, or already hold a valid New Zealand visa.
Validity & Eligibility
New Zealand Electronic Travel Authority (NZeTA) – Before departing for New Zealand, visa-waiver passport holders must hold an approved NZeTA. It’s entirely digital, recorded against your passport, and works alongside — not instead of — a valid passport from a visa-waiver country.
An approved NZeTA lasts two years, or until your passport expires if that’s sooner, and covers repeat visits of up to three months each (six for UK passports), with a ceiling of six months in any twelve. Approval comes by email and is linked electronically to the passport you applied with — there’s nothing to print for check-in.
Pricing & Turnaround
Full service fee clearly displayed prior to checkout. Government charges — the NZeTA fee and the NZ$100 International Visitor Conservation and Tourism Levy — are itemised separately.
Do You Need an NZeTA or a Visa?
Tell us which passport you'll travel on and we'll confirm in one click whether you need an NZeTA, a visa, or nothing at all.
New Zealand or Australian citizen, or already holding a valid New Zealand visa?
Takes about 5 minutes · Secure checkout · Human support 24/7 Independent application-assistance service. Not affiliated with the New Zealand Government.
NZeTA Rules at a Glance
The NZeTA covers passport holders from 60 visa-waiver countries and territories, plus every cruise-ship passenger, Australian permanent residents, and anyone transiting through Auckland Airport. Everyone in your party needs their own, right down to newborns, each tied to the passport they’ll travel on. Alongside it, every arrival completes a New Zealand Traveller Declaration (NZTD) before landing.
Exempt: New Zealand citizens, Australian citizens on an Australian passport, and anyone who already holds a valid New Zealand visa. Not exempt: US, Canadian and British citizens — all need an NZeTA. A Green Card or EU residence permit doesn’t count: eligibility is decided by the passport you travel on. If your passport isn’t visa-waiver, or you plan to work, study for more than three months or settle, you need a visa instead — see our visa services below.
What You'll Need to Apply
Have these four things ready before you start:
A Visa-Waiver Passport
A current passport from one of the 60 visa-waiver countries. Your NZeTA is bound to this exact document — if the passport is renewed or replaced, the NZeTA doesn't carry over and you'll need a fresh one.
Background Info & Photo
Your basic personal details, a recent photo of your face, and honest answers to Immigration New Zealand's questions on health, character and whether you're visiting or transiting.
Many Ways to Pay
Any major credit or debit card. We also take Apple Pay, Google Pay and cards issued outside your home country.
Valid Email Address
This is where your progress updates and the NZeTA confirmation land. Keep the confirmation email handy — airlines may ask to see it at check-in.
How the Application Works
The whole process is online, and most people are done in a matter of minutes.
Confirm You Qualify
Check your nationality against the visa-waiver list above and make sure your passport is valid for your dates of travel. If you qualify, you're ready to begin — if not, we'll point you to the right visa.
Complete the Guided Form
Enter your passport details, upload your photo, answer the health and character questions and pay securely. Every field must match your passport character for character — small discrepancies are the number-one cause of delays and refusals.
Receive Your Approval by Email
Many applicants have an approved NZeTA within hours; Immigration New Zealand advises allowing up to 72 hours, and referred cases can take longer. It's linked to your passport automatically, so you travel with nothing extra in hand.
After You Submit
Typical Processing Time
Most requests are decided automatically within hours. A minority are referred for closer review and can take the full 72 hours — occasionally longer.
There’s no need to wait until your trip is close — apply as soon as your plans and passport are in place, and your NZeTA covers you for two full years.
What Can Slow Things Down
-
Extra Checks
A health or character flag can send a request to an immigration officer, and you may be asked to apply for a visa instead. -
Seasonal Demand
Around the southern summer and school holidays, decisions can take longer than usual. -
Errors in the Application
Gaps or inconsistencies can hold up a decision or lead to refusal. The usual culprits: names that don't match the passport, passport-number typos and answering ‘transit’ when you're actually visiting.
Should anything more be needed, we’ll reach you by email.
Your NZeTA Decision
When Immigration New Zealand has assessed your request, the outcome is sent to your inbox. An approved NZeTA is issued digitally and linked to your passport straight away — nothing physical to carry. It stays valid for two years or until your passport expires, covering repeat visits of up to three months at a time.
New Zealand visa services
More Than the NZeTA
The NZeTA is only for short visits by visa-waiver nationals. If you're coming from elsewhere, staying longer, working, studying or settling, you need a visa — and we prepare those too, with a licensed immigration adviser on every file.
NZeTA
For visa-waiver nationals, cruise passengers, Australian permanent residents and Auckland transit. Two years, multiple entries, up to three months a visit.
Start an NZeTA application →Visitor Visa
For nationals outside the visa-waiver list, longer holidays and family visits, including the Parent Boost visa for parents of citizens and residents.
Enquire about a Visitor Visa →Work Visas
- Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV)
- Working Holiday Visa
- Partner of a Worker & Post-Study Work
Student Visa
Fee-paying and pathway student visas for courses longer than three months, plus visas for accompanying partners and children.
Enquire about a Student Visa →Partner & Family Visas
Visitor, work and residence pathways for partners and dependent children of New Zealand citizens, residents and visa holders.
Enquire about a Family Visa →Residence
- Skilled Migrant Category (points-based)
- Green List — Straight to Residence & Work to Residence
- Partner and parent residence
Start Your NZeTA Application
It takes just a few minutes to complete your application online. Click below to begin the secure process — or contact us about a visitor, work, student or residence visa.