New Zealand eTA Visa Eligibility
From October 2019 New Zealand Visa requirements have changed. People who do not require a New Zealand Visa i.e. formerly Visa Free nationals, are required to obtain New Zealand Electronic Travel Authorization (NZeTA) in order to enter New Zealand.
This New Zealand Electronic Travel Authorization (NZeTA) will be valid for a period of 2 years.
Citizens of Australia do not require New Zealand Electronic Travel Authorization (NZeTA) . Australians do not need a Visa or an NZ eTA to travel to New Zealand.
New Zealand eTA Visa FAQ
Who needs a New Zealand eTA?
Citizens of countries previously exempted and Visa Free nationals now need to get a New Zealand eTA.
What's the eTA's validity period?
The eTA remains valid for 2 years from the issue date.
Do Australian citizens require a New Zealand eTA?
No, Australia's citizens don't need a New Zealand eTA or Visa.
Who needs an eTA for New Zealand?
60 countries' citizens like the US, UK, Canada, Japan and others must get an eTA for New Zealand. Refer below for complete list of eligible countries.
Can any nation's people apply for eTA via cruise ship?
Yes, anyone can apply for an eTA if they're coming to New Zealand on a cruise ship. Air travel has different rules.
Are there New Zealand eTA exceptions?
Apart from Australian and New Zealand citizens, following are exempt from applying for the New Zealand eTA.
- Crew and passengers of a non-cruise vessel
- Crew on a foreign ship carrying cargo
- Guests of the New Zealand Government
- Foreign citizens travelling under The Antarctic Treaty
- Members of a visiting force and associated crew members.
What about airline and cruise ship crew?
Regardless of nationality, all airline and cruise ship crew members need a Crew eTA for up to 5 years before going to New Zealand.
According to New Zealand Visa requirements citizens of the following 60 countries need an eTA for New Zealand
Every Nationality can apply for NZeTA if coming by Cruise Ship
According to New Zealand Visa requirements citizen of any nationality can apply for an NZeTA if arriving New Zealand by a cruise ship. However, if traveller is arriving by air, then the traveller must be from a Visa Waiver or Visa Free country, then only will NZeTA (New Zealand eTA) be valid for the passenger arriving into the country.
All airline crew and cruise line crew, no matter their nationality, will need to apply for a Crew eTA before traveling to New Zealand, which will be valid for up to 5 years.
Australian citizens will be exempt from applying for the eTA NZ. Australian permanent residents will need to apply for an eTA but are not required to pay the associated tourist levy.
Other exemptions from the NZeTA include:
- Crew and passengers of a non-cruise vessel
- Crew on a foreign ship carrying cargo
- Guests of the New Zealand Government
- Foreign citizens travelling under The Antarctic Treaty
- Members of a visiting force and associated crew members.