What is NZeTA?
NZeTA stands for New Zealand Electronic Travel Authority. This travel authorization helps travelers with smoother security and facilitation procedures, so they have to spend less time at the country’s borders.
It allows some international visitors and people transiting through New Zealand to enter the country without the need for a visa – they simply need to get an NZeTA before their travel.
This travel authorization is on the same lines authorizations offered by countries such as the USA (ESTA) and Canada (eTA).
Who Needs an NZeTA?
You must obtain an NZeTA if you are from one of the 60 visa waiver countries or an Australian Permanent Resident. Citizens of transit visa waiver countries must also request an NZeTA.
If you are transiting via New Zealand on your way in or out of Australia, you must get an NZeTA before you enter New Zealand. This travel authorization also applies to citizens from countries not on the visa waiver list. If you are arriving on a cruise line and do not hold a New Zealand visa, you must also have an NZeTA.
All cruise line and airline crew members will need to procure a Crew ETA before entering New Zealand.
You do not need to get an NZeTA if you are a New Zealand Citizen, have a valid New Zealand visa or hold an Australian passport.
Other transit travelers will need a New Zealand Transit Visa. You will not be granted an NZeTA if you have Character Issues or conditions that require a Health Waiver – you will need a New Zealand visitor visa in such cases. Other visitors may apply for an appropriate visa to meet their travel needs.
What is the Length of NZeTA?
An NZeTA allows you to travel to New Zealand any number of times in its 2-year validity period. You can stay for up to 3 months in the country on a single visit. This period is of stay is 6 months for travelers from the UK.
An NZeTA allows you to:
- Enter New Zealand without first getting a visa
- Bring your family along, it they meet New Zealand’s criteria of visa waiver during their travel
- Holiday in the country including sightseeing, visiting friends and family, shopping and enjoying New Zealand
- Pass via Auckland International Airport on your way in or out of Australia as a transit passenger
- Study for 3 months in a 12-month period
How Can You Get an NZeTA?
First, find out if you need an NZeTA or a visitor visa for your New Zealand Travel.
Next, you request for your NZeTA and pay for it. You can start your NZeTA application on the NZeTA website (by paying NZ$ 12) or on the NZeTA mobile app (the fee is NZ$ 9), available both on App Store and Google Play.
Most people visiting New Zealand must also pay NZ$ 35 as International Visitor Levy (IVL). This tariff helps New Zealand cover its expenses on tourism and conservation infrastructure. You will have to pay the IVL along with your NZeTA fee.
Immigration New Zealand claims that NZeTA can be issued within 10 minutes in most cases. However, we recommend you allow for up to 72 hours to get your NZeTA to avoid last-minute hassles.
You will get a receipt in your email within a few minutes of your NZeTA request and can also check your NZeTA status online. You will know if your NZeTA request has been accepted in less than 72 hours; the NZeTA will also arrive in your email.
You will not be able to cancel your NZeTA request once you have submitted it, so ensure the accuracy of all details before tendering your request. Also, the NZeTA and IVL fee are not usually refundable.
You should seek the assistance of immigration experts to find out if you need an NZeTA before you plan your travel. Share your passport details along with your health and security background with the experienced advisers at NZ Immigration Help so they can evaluate your case.
Our Auckland based team of immigration consultants has been helping our customers get their timely NZeTA approvals for many years. Book a consultation now.
