New Zealand Visa in Australia

If you are a holder of permanent residency in Australia or if you are currently visiting Australia and wish to visit neighboring New Zealand, you should check whether you need a visa to ensure issues-free entry and stay. In most cases, it will be necessary to apply for a relevant New Zealand visa or another entry permit to enter the country. Fortunately, thanks to the introduction of the NZeTA system, it is possible to obtain a New Zealand visa in Australia without visiting the embassy in person.

The NZeTA functions as a multiple-entry electronic visa covering the purposes of business, tourism, and transit. Every stay in New Zealand cannot exceed 3 months, while the travel authorization remains valid for 2 years.

Most citizens of Australia may travel to New Zealand without a visa as long as they do not have a criminal record or have not been deported from any country in the past.

Permanent residents of Australia will need to, however, apply for a NZeTA before arriving in New Zealand. Australian citizens are exempt from the NZeTA requirement.

The New Zealand eTA system has been operational since 2019, and since that time, all eligible travelers can obtain this online travel authorization from whatever place they are at a given moment.

Do I need a visa for New Zealand from Australia?

As an Australian citizen who plans to visit New Zealand, you should note that you are entitled to visa-free travel. Australians and Kiwis can cross their borders without any visa under the Trans-Tasman Arrangement. The visa exemption covers not only tourism purposes but also includes undertaking employment without the need to obtain a work visa or work permit.

The Trans-Tasman Arrangement operates similarly to the European Union, as its citizens can enjoy freedom of movement, including working in any country that is a member of the Union.

While Australian citizens do not need a visa to travel to New Zealand, Australian permanent residents do need to apply for a New Zealand eTA.

NZ Electronic Travel Authority (NZeTA) for Australian residents

If you apply for a New Zealand eTA from Australia, you should start by preparing your working electronic device, checking your Internet connection, and gathering all required documents.

The application process consists of three very intuitive steps, including:

Fill out the online form: Provide the required data such as your basic personal details, travel-related information, date of birth, contact details, nationality, and passport data.
Cover the processing fee: Choose the preferred method of online payment and pay 99 Euro for the processing fee.
Receive the NZeTA confirmation email: Go to your email inbox and check if the approved New Zealand eTA arrived at your email address.

Important: Make sure that your passport will not expire during your stay in New Zealand. Its expiration will make a New Zealand eTA automatically invalid.

New Zealand eTA requirements

Residents of Australia will need to make sure that they have access to the following in order to successfully apply for NZeTA:

a passport remaining valid for at least 3 months (90 days) from the date they plan to arrive in NZ;
valid means of online payment to cover the eTA fee and tourism levy;
an active email address to receive the NZeTA confirmation;
applicant’s face photograph

Upon arrival in New Zealand, a holder of eTA may need to show the following documents:

onward travel proof
evidence of sufficient funds for the entire stay in NZ

Since NZeTA will be digitally matched to the applicant’s passport, a traveler holding more than one passport must make sure to take the same passport to enter New Zealand that they used when completing the online visa application.

Despite the fact that a printed copy of the approved NZeTA is not required, all travelers are highly advised to carry it as a backup.

Important: If you use your New Zealand eTA just for transit purposes, you should know that you can only transit through Auckland International Airport. Moreover, your transit stop cannot exceed 24 hours, and during that time, you are not allowed to exit the transit airport area.

Katarzyna

Katarzyna is a dedicated professional working in the dynamic field of eVisa services. Born with an adventurous spirit, she developed a deep curiosity about different cultures and a desire to explore the world from a young age. With a passion for international travel and a keen interest in streamlining visa processes, she stays up-to-date with visa regulations, guiding travelers through the complex procedures. 🐱‍🏍🛫🗺