Travel Guide to Nelson, New Zealand

Updated on Jan 13, 2023 | New Zealand eTA

If you have the correct documents, your plan for a trip to Nelson would be easy. All you need is just the entry requirements to enter New Zealand. Prepare your travel permits in advance to avoid any last-minute hassle. You would need all the proper documents including a visa or a travel authorisation.

New Zealand Visa (NZeTA)

New Zealand Visa Application Form now allows visitors from all nationalities to obtain New Zealand eTA (NZETA) by email without visiting New Zealand Embassy. Government of New Zealand now officially recommends New Zealand Visa or New Zealand ETA online rather than sending paper documents. You can obtain NZETA by filling out a form in under three minutes on this website. The only requirement is to have a Debit or Credit Card and email id. You do not need to send your passport for Visa stamping. If you are arriving to New Zealand by the Cruise Ship route, you should check the New Zealand ETA eligibility conditions for Cruise Ship arrival to New Zealand.

How to visit Nelson with NZeTA (New Zealand Visa)?

If you have the correct documents, your plan for a trip to Nelson would be easy. All you need is just the entry requirements to enter New Zealand.

Prepare your travel permits in advance to avoid any last-minute hassle. You would need all the proper documents including a visa or a travel authorisation.

An electronic visa is one other easy way to enter New Zealand and fulfil your travel plans without any trouble of going through the other long-term process.

If you belong to a nation which is part of New Zealand's visa waiver program, then you have a chance to visit this beautiful country with an easy electronic travel authorization.

With access to NZeTA (New Zealand Visa) or New Zealand Electronic Travel Authorization it would allow you to visit New Zealand without an official visa.

Do not delay further, as this easy way to visit New Zealand would help you fulfil your travel dreams without any old school trouble relating to documentation.

Here you can find all necessary information if you are planning to travel New Zealand with NZeTA (New Zealand Visa).

Nelson- See the Sunny Side of New Zealand

Established in 1841 by English travellers, this city on the South Island of New Zealand is preferred for its laid-back vibe and open beaches.

Nelson sits by the Tasman Bay and this city's most popular attraction includes the Abel Tasman National Park.

For a free-spirited traveller this city has a lot to offer like frequent festivals, art galleries, local crafts and classic beaches.

Visit Abel Tasman National Park, Nelson

In your trip to New Zealand, you would not want to miss visiting one of the most beautiful national parks in the country. Amidst wilderness and gorgeous coastline, this national park has abundant natural beauty to offer.

At Tasman National Park you would witness clean turquoise bays, golden sand beaches, bird habitats, all making it a paradise for adventures like hiking, trekking, kayaking and much more.

READ MORE:

In this article, we will share with you the top places to stay on your trip to New Zealand. We have included a suitable option for every price bracket for your convenience. This hotel guide that we are about to share with you features a selection of fantastic hotels, affordable hostels, and distinctive lodgings throughout New Zealand. Learn more at Travel Guide to Visiting New Zealand on a Budget

How Many Days do you need to visit Nelson?

As a first-time traveller to Nelson, you can cover most of the places in the city in 2 to 3 days. Although, to get most from this place and its beaches you should extend your stay.

Given this city's favourable weather and natural abundance you could plan an extended trip to Nelson to fully sink in its relaxing atmosphere.

What is the best Time to see the beaches of Nelson?

The city of Nelson is located on the South Island of New Zealand and the place is mostly opted for its eight plus hours of sunshine.

You can enjoy a relaxing time at the wide-open beaches of Nelson. The best time to visit this place is in the summer as the atmosphere is mild. It is best to plan a trip to Nelson in the summer.

What do foreign travellers love most about Nelson, New Zealand?

Nelson has a very moderate climate making it perfect for the tourism industry. As a first-time traveller to this city, you would witness a culturally diverse place famous for its local crafts and artisans across the country.

Known as the oldest city in the South Island of New Zealand, it is a popular tourist destination among both local and international tourists.
Many culture and music festivals take place in Nelson making it an attractive summer destination of New Zealand.

READ MORE:

For citizens of visa waiver countries, the New Zealand visa requirements include the eTA for New Zealand which is an electronic travel authorization, launched by the Immigration Agency, Government of New Zealand after July 2019. Learn more at Tourist Guide to New Zealand Visa Requirements.

What should you pack for a trip to Nelson, New Zealand?

If you are travelling to Nelson for the first time, then you might not be aware about the large number of adventure activities present in the city. For adventure enthusiasts, there are plenty of options to explore.

On a summer trip to the city, the climate would remain neither too hot nor too cold hence you can pack accordingly. Although for those visiting the place in the rainy season or winters expect a drop in average temperature.

What is NZeTA (New Zealand Visa)?

New Zealand Electronic Travel Authority, the NZeTA (New Zealand Visa) would be beneficial to all those travellers wanting to visit New Zealand without the hassle of applying for an official visa.

If your country is part of New Zealand's visa waiver program, then you must avail the benefits of travelling to Nelson with an easy to apply NZeTA.

When do you need an official visa for Nelson?

Citizens of any country wanting to visit Nelson would need either an official visa or a travel Authorization to visit this state of New Zealand.

In case you are travelling to New Zealand from Australia, only then you can avail the benefit of getting a resident visa on arrival.
If you are visiting New Zealand from a country that is part of its visa waiver program, you must gain full knowledge about applying for a NZeTA (New Zealand Visa) which is the easiest way to visit New Zealand.

READ MORE:
What are the countries for NZeTA?

Is Your Country eligible to get NZeTA (New Zealand Visa)?

Your country could be one of the 60 countries which are part of New Zealand's visa waiver program.

In such a case you can avail a visa-free way to travel to this country which would give you an electronic travel authorisation to visit New Zealand.
Benefits of NZeTA (New Zealand Visa):

An electronic travel authorisation to New Zealand or a NZeTA (New Zealand Visa) would allow you to travel to Nelson for a short-term period.
NZeTA (New Zealand Visa) is valid for both tourism and business-related visits.
You will be allowed to visit the place multiple times within 2 years.
As a traveller with NZeTA (New Zealand Visa), you can opt to stay in the country upto 3 months. If you are a UK citizen visiting New Zealand with NZeTA (New Zealand Visa) then you can avail this benefit by staying in the country up to 6 months.

For a long-term trip to New Zealand, an official visa instead of a NZeTA (New Zealand Visa) would be more appropriate. NZeTA (New Zealand Visa) would only be useful to those wanting to visit New Zealand between three to six months.
In case you have long term plans like study or work-related visit then you should look for an official visa to New Zealand instead.

Your Guide to Get NZeTA (New Zealand Visa) to visit New Zealand

If your country is allowed to avail the visa waiver program of New Zealand, then you can easily look for applying for an eTA for New Zealand online.

Follow the 3 easy steps to successfully get NZeTA (New Zealand Visa) online:

Fill the application form by visiting the New Zealand eTA website.
After completing the application process, you will be guided to the payment section to pay the application fee for NZeTA (New Zealand Visa).
NZeTA (New Zealand Visa) is an all-online process. Right from application to receiving your eTA, all will be completed using a paperless process. After your request has been processed you will receive your NZeTA (New Zealand Visa) by email.

No longer would you need an old way of visiting the office in person to get your authorization to visit New Zealand. NZeTA (New Zealand Visa) would make your travel plans easy with an all-online process.

What documents do you need for NZeTA (New Zealand Visa) Application?

You would need a few important documents to get a travel authorization to Nelson. Before visiting the place, make sure that you have checked the following list of items.

Documents required for NZeTA (New Zealand Visa) application:

A valid passport
Passport size Photograph
Debit or credit card for payment related purpose
A working/valid email address

Although NZeTA (New Zealand Visa) is an easy application process but you would need to check the below requirements for your passport to get an electronic travel authorization to Nelson:

Your passport should be issued by a visa waiver country.
Your passport should remain valid for at least 3 months after leaving the country.
At the time of arrival passengers will have to present the same passport used to fill the application for NZeTA (New Zealand Visa). This is the same passport that is linked to your NZeTA (New Zealand Visa) for Nelson.

How to Apply for NZeTA (New Zealand Visa) to visit Nelson?

The process to fill online form for NZeTA (New Zealand Visa) is quick and easy and can be completed in short time.

With some basic information, you can easily fill your application form for NZeTA (New Zealand Visa) and travel to Nelson, New Zealand in a quick and a visa freeway.

Basic information you need to apply for NZeTA (New Zealand Visa) :

Your full name, date of birth, nationality, information from your valid passport and relevant contact details.
After answering some health and security related questions you can recheck your application form to preview it in case of any mistakes. Make sure that you fill up accurate information while applying as any discrepancies would lead to unnecessary delay in issuing your travel authorisation.
After completing the application process, you would need to pay the NZeTA (New Zealand Visa) fee which would cover the cost of processing your travel authorization.

Along with NZeTA (New Zealand Visa) basic fee, applicants are also charged a fee for enhancing sustainable tourism in New Zealand given the heavy impact of tourism on the environment.

Applicants are charged this fee in the form of IVL- International Visitor Conservation and Tourism Levy.

Where can I apply for NZeTA (New Zealand Visa)?

To apply for NZeTA (New Zealand Visa) visit the New Zealand Visa website. Make sure that you keep all the documents ready before filling the application form.

You can apply for NZeTA (New Zealand Visa) here.

How Long Does it Take to Get NZeTA (New Zealand Visa)?

After completing all the details in the application form and making the required payment you will not have to wait for long to get your NZeTA (New Zealand Visa). It usually takes 72 hours to process most eTA requests. Depending on the accuracy of your application form your request is likely to be processed more quickly.

To avoid any delays due to time consumed in processing your e-visa request, you must apply for NZeTA (New Zealand Visa) sufficient time well in advance before your travel.

Do you want to travel to Nelson in a Visa-Free Way?

A visa-free way is the most hassle free method to travel to Nelson. With an eTA to New Zealand, you would get an electronic travel authorization to travel by air or cruise. NZeTA (New Zealand Visa) is valid for both cases.

Arrival Points at Nelson include both air and sea routes. Nelson Airport and Port Nelson are major air and sea arrival points of the city respectively.

Travelling with an eTA to New Zealand visitors can travel any part of the country for a short-term basis.

Document Needed at the Time of Arrival at Nelson

After completing the above application process as you go ahead to arrive at Nelson, as a NZeTA (New Zealand Visa) holder a traveller would need the following documents at the immigration checkpoint at arrival.

Passengers must have the following documents ready upon arriving at Nelson:

A valid passport matching all the information provided at the time of applying for NZeTA (New Zealand Visa).
A processed or approved NZeTA (New Zealand Visa). If you are travelling without NZeTA (New Zealand Visa), then you must have a valid visa at the time of arrival.
At the point of arrival after border officials scan the passport of visitors with an eTA to verify their visa waiver, the permitted length of stay for tourists then starts from this date.

If you are travelling with NZeTA (New Zealand Visa), your passport will be scanned by border officials upon arrival.

Scanning the passport would verify your electronic travel authorisation and mark the day of your arrival to Nelson as the first day under days permitted to stay using NZeTA (New Zealand Visa).

With all the above process, getting to travel to New Zealand would be the fastest and easiest way for travellers wanting to visit Nelson.

Although any other restriction posed by the government, or any other circumstance might cause travel regulations to change.

For updated travel related information about New Zealand you must keep checking the official travel rules and regulations of the New Zealand government.

Ensure that you have checked the eligibility for your New Zealand eTA. If you are from a Visa Waiver country then you can apply for an eTA regardless of the mode of travel (Air / Cruise). United States citizens, European citizens, Hong Kong citizens, United Kingdom citizens, Mexican citizens, French citizens and Dutch citizens can apply online for New Zealand eTA. United Kingdom residents can stay on New Zealand eTA for 6 months while others for 90 days.

Please apply for a New Zealand eTA 72 hours in advance of your flight.

APPLY NZeTA APPLICATION