New Zealand Visa Waiver Countries

Traveling to New Zealand

Persons who are not New Zealand passport holders but want to travel to New Zealand need to have a valid visa or be from New Zealand visa-waiver countries.

A visa waiver agreement allows eligible citizens with an effective eTA to enter New Zealand visa-free. NZeTA is an electronic travel authorization that permits one to visit the country numerous times for tourism, business purposes, and tourism-related purposes in a span of the validity period.

The period of effectiveness is 2 years from the date of eTA’s approval. However, NZeTA for airline and cruise crew members remains effective for 5 years. The allowed period of stay for one visit is 90 days.

Nationals from visa-waiver countries can apply with a few clicks: it is needed to fill in the form with the required information, cover fees, and check the email for a confirmed New Zealand eTA.

When planning your trip, check the visa requirements for New Zealand and see whether you have visa-free access or need to attend an embassy.

How many countries can have visa-free entry to New Zealand?

New Zealand passport holders, New Zealand residents, and Australian citizens (due to the Trans-Tasman Travel Arrangement) have visa-free entry to New Zealand and only need to present their valid passports to cross the country’s borders.

Also, there are currently 60 countries that have a visa waiver agreement with New Zealand. Citizens of these countries can enter New Zealand visa-free, provided that they have a valid NZeTA:

Andorra
Argentina
Austria
Bahrain
Belgium
Brazil
Brunei
Bulgaria
Canada
Chile
Croatia
Cyprus
Czech Republic
Denmark
Estonia (citizens only)
Finland
France
Germany
Greece
Hong Kong SAR
Hungary
Iceland
Ireland
Israel
Italy
Japan
Korea (South)
Kuwait
Latvia (citizens only)
Liechtenstein
Lithuania
Luxembourg
Macau
Malaysia
Malta
Mauritius
Mexico
Monaco
Netherlands
Norway
Oman
Poland
Portugal
Qatar
Romania
San Marino
Saudi Arabia
Seychelles
Singapore
Slovakia
Slovenia
Spain
Sweden
Switzerland
Taiwan
United Arab Emirates
United Kingdom
USA – including US Nationals
Uruguay
Vatican

New Zealand eTA application process

NZeTA has a similar application process to an online visa. In order to receive a Zealand eTA, eligible citizens are able to apply online in a speedy and straightforward way from any place with an internet connection.

It is necessary to follow the New Zealand eTA application instruction:

Complete an application form. You need to provide your personal, passport, and travel details.
Check if your data is complete, relevant, and doesn’t contain errors.
Upload the required documents.
Make the payment online using any of the methods available on the website.
Wait for the application to be processed and get approval via email.

How long is it allowed to stay in New Zealand with NZeTA?

A New Zealand eTA is a multiple-entry permit, so nationals of visa-waiver countries can enter New Zealand an unlimited number of times within its validity period. NZeTA stays valid for 2 years from the date of its issue.

One visit to the country cannot exceed 3 months (90 days). After you use 90 days, you need to leave the territory of New Zealand. On your next visit, you can spend another 90 days in the country, provided that eTA is still effective.

If you need to stay for a more extended period of time (that exceeds 90 days), you need to apply for a visa at the embassy. Depending on the purpose of your stay, you can choose between a visitor visa, student visa, family visa, work visa, investment visa, entrepreneur work visa, working holiday visa, or work-to-residence visa.

A resident visa holder can obtain a permanent resident visa upon satisfying all conditions and demonstrating a commitment to New Zealand, which allows them to remain in New Zealand unconditionally.

New Zealand eTA requirements

Since the NZeTA application takes place entirely online and remotely, you need to meet some technical requirements:

your device must be working and connected to the internet (you can use a smartphone/laptop/tablet/PC)
you should be able to pay online (payments can be completed with PayPal, debit or credit card)
your email address must be active and accessible.

It is also necessary to attach the required documents:

a valid passport that doesn’t expire within a minimum of 6 months from entry into the country
an applicant’s digital photograph – must be passport-style and of decent quality; it can be taken with a phone or PC camera if the conditions are satisfied.

What if I am not from a visa-waiver country?

If your country does not have a visa waiver agreement with New Zealand, you cannot enter visa-free and are required to apply for a New Zealand visa.

Contact the nearest consulate/embassy to make an appointment. Attend the office to fill out the application form, provide the demanded documents, and have a visa interview.

You need to apply for a visa to New Zealand if you are a national of the following countries:

Aland Islands
American Samoa
Anguilla
Antarctica
Aruba
Bermuda
Bonaire
British Indian Ocean Territory
British Virgin Islands
Cayman Islands
Christmas Island
Cocos Islands
Congo
Cook Islands
Curacao
Falkland Islands
Faroe Islands
French Guiana
French Polynesia
Gibraltar
Greenland
Guadeloupe
Guam
Guernsey
Isle of Man
Jersey
Lebanon
Lesotho
Martinique
Mayotte
Montserrat
New Caledonia
Niue
Norfolk Island
Northern Mariana Islands
Pitcairn Islands
Puerto Rico
Reunion
Saint Barthelemy
Saint Helena
Saint Martin
Saint Pierre and Miquelon
Sint Maarten
South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands
Svalbard and Jan Mayen
Tokelau
Turkmenistan
Turks and Caicos Islands
Uganda
United States Virgin Islands
Wallis and Futuna

Julia

Julia's expertise lies in providing professional content, simplifying the visa application process for travelers worldwide. Her dedication to delivering valuable and accurate information, combined with her love for exploring new cultures, inspires others to discover new horizons and embark on their own adventures.