new zealand tourist visa

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Visas and entry requirements for tourists

Christchurch Airport, Christchurch - Canterbury

By Christchurch Airport

Discover everything you need to know about visas and border security requirements for your holiday in Aotearoa New Zealand.

Nau mai, haere mai. Welcome to Aotearoa New Zealand. On this page you'll find everything you need to know about travel visas, entry regulations, and security checks to ensure you have a smooth trip. 

To enter New Zealand for a holiday or to visit family and friends, you will need:

• Valid passport
• Visa or New Zealand Electronic Travel Authority (NZeTA)  

New Zealand Traveller Declaration

• International Visitor Conservation and Tourism Levy

You will also need to follow strict biosecurity rules (opens in new window) .

Essential travel information

Passport requirements.

You need a valid passport to visit New Zealand.

Depending on which country has issued your passport, your passport must still be valid for 1-3 months after your planned departure date from New Zealand. Find out which time period applies to you.

Discover passport requirements

The  Visa Waiver Programme (opens in new window) permits citizens of some countries to enter New Zealand for business and tourism purposes for up to three months without a visa. If you are a British citizen, you can stay up to six months.

Travellers entering New Zealand under the Visa Waiver Programme need to complete a New Zealand Electronic Travel Authority (NZeTA).

To avoid delays, request an NZeTA before you travel. Requests are usually processed within 72 hours, but some may take longer.

Find out about NZeTA

Back to the top

Visa requirements

Visitor visas.

People travelling to New Zealand for business and tourism using a passport from a country that is not part of the Visa Waiver Programme (opens in new window) must apply for a Visitor Visa (opens in new window) . With a Visitor Visa, you can stay for up to 6 months (multiple entry) or 9 months (single entry). You cannot work, but you can study for up to 3 months.

Working Holiday Visas

Working Holiday Visas (opens in new window) enable people aged 18 to 30 to work and travel in New Zealand for up to 12 months. Passport holders of some countries will be able to work until the age of 35 and for up to 36 months.

Transit Visas

If you are transiting through New Zealand, you will need a Transit Visa (opens in new window) , unless you are travelling to Australia, or are from a country that is part of the Visa Waiver Programme (opens in new window) .

More information about visas

The visa and information on this page is just a summary. For everything you need to know about coming to New Zealand, visit Immigration New Zealand (opens in new window) . 

Explore other visa options

International Visitor Conservation and Tourism Levy (IVL)

The International Visitor Conservation and Tourism Levy (IVL) is used to fund tourism infrastructure and conservation initiatives.  Visitors from most countries, including people on working holidays, need to pay the IVL before they enter New Zealand.

There are some exceptions, including people from Australia and many Pacific Island countries. The easiest way to pay is when you apply for an NZeTA. The IVL costs NZD $100. 

Find out about the IVL

The New Zealand Traveller Declaration (opens in new window) (NZTD) collects travel, customs, immigration, and biosecurity information about your visit to New Zealand.

A traveller declaration needs to be completed for each traveller, including babies and children. It is free and can be done online (opens in new window) or by downloading the NZTD app.

It is recommended that you complete a traveller declaration online before you depart for New Zealand. This will help you to pass through customs more quickly. If arriving by plane, the earliest you can submit your declaration is 24 hours before you start your trip to New Zealand.

Your declaration is linked to your passport and is checked when you pass through customs.

Find out about the NZTD

Covid-19 vaccination requirements

There’s no longer any COVID-19 vaccination or testing requirements for travellers arriving in New Zealand.

However, it’s strongly recommended that all travellers keep their vaccinations up to date before setting off.

Vaccination remains a vital tool for preventing infection, reducing COVID-19 symptoms, and minimising severe illness.

For more guidelines go to Health New Zealand (Te Whatu Ora).

Discover more

Customs and biosecurity

Biosecurity items.

Food, some drinks, and animal   and plant products can carry harmful pests and diseases. To protect New Zealand’s environment many of these items are prohibited.

If you accidentally bring prohibited items with you, you must declare or dispose of them on arrival in New Zealand. Some sports and outdoor equipment must also be declared.

Prohibited and restricted items

There are some goods you cannot bring into New Zealand. Prohibited items include some firearms and weapons and objectionable material.

You may be able to bring some restricted items into New Zealand, but only if you have a permit and/or after they have gone through treatments like fumigation.

Find out about customs and biosecurity

Duty-free shopping

If you are 17 years or older, you are entitled to duty-free concessions on alcohol, cigarettes, and tobacco.

Discover duty-free shopping

Tiaki promise

The Tiaki Promise  is a commitment to care for New Zealand, for now, and for future generations. By following the Tiaki Promise, you are making a commitment to act as a guardian, protecting and preserving our home.

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New Zealand Electronic Travel Authority (NZeTA)

Some people can use an NZeTA to travel to New Zealand without applying for a visa first. This depends on your passport, how you are travelling and if you are visiting or only transiting.

2 years for travellers

Processing time

With an nzeta you can.

• Travel to New Zealand or transit Auckland International Airport without first applying for a visa.
• Visit up to 3 months, or 6 months for UK citizens.

Things to note

• If you are already in New Zealand and want to stay longer, you must apply for a visa not an NZeTA.
• If you have a valid New Zealand visa, you do not need an NZeTA.
• If you apply for an NZeTA you may have to pay an International Visitor Conservation and Tourism Levy (IVL). Enter your country details in the Process and costs section below.

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Use the filters below to display relevant tips as well as detailed fees and receiving centre information

Who is it for

Check if you need an NZeTA or a visa before travelling to New Zealand.

Most travellers need either an NZeTA or a visa to travel to New Zealand. This depends on the passport you are travelling on, and if you will be a visitor or a transit passenger .

Check if you need an NZeTA or a visa

You can use your NZeTA to travel to New Zealand multiple times while it is valid. An NZeTA is valid for 2 years for travellers, or 5 years for crew members.

You may not be allowed to visit or transit New Zealand if you do not meet the good character requirements. If you are not sure you will meet the requirements — for example you have a criminal conviction — you should apply for a visa and have one before you travel. Check the character requirements under 'What you need to apply'.

What you need to apply

Visiting new zealand.

'Visiting' means you are entering and staying in New Zealand as a visitor.

If you are passing through a New Zealand airport — other than Auckland International Airport — on your way to another country, you will be a visitor because you have to enter New Zealand. 

If you already have a current New Zealand visa, you do not need an NZeTA.

If you give the wrong information in your NZeTA request, we may give you an NZeTA that only lets you transit through Auckland International Airport as a transit passenger  — you cannot visit New Zealand as a transit passenger.

Arriving on a cruise ship or cargo ship as a passenger

If you are arriving by sea as a cruise ship passenger, you must have an NZeTA — unless you are on the list of travellers who do not need an NZeTA. You can be any nationality.

Travellers who do not need an NZeTA

Arriving by cruise ship

If you will arrive by sea as a cargo ship passenger on or after 1 April 2025, you will need to have an NZeTA.

New requirement for cargo ship crew and passengers

Citizen of a visa waiver country

If you are travelling on a passport from a visa waiver country, you must have an NZeTA — unless you are:

• on the list of travellers who do not need an NZeTA, or
• coming for medical treatment or consultation — you will need to apply for a Medical Treatment Visitor Visa, not an NZeTA. Medical Treatment Visitor Visa

Visa waiver countries and territories

Australian citizen or permanent resident

Australian citizen.

If you are travelling on an Australian passport, you do not need a visa or NZeTA before you travel. We will normally give you an Australian Resident Visa when you arrive — but you must meet the character requirements of this visa.

Australian Resident Visa

You may not be allowed to travel to New Zealand if you do not meet the good character requirements. If you are not sure you will meet requirements — for example you have a criminal conviction or have been deported before — you should apply for a visa and have one before you travel.

Australian permanent resident

If you are an Australian permanent resident wanting to visit New Zealand, you must have an NZeTA — unless you are on the list of travellers who do not need an NZeTA.

You also need:

• a current Australian Permanent Resident Visa or Australian Resident Return Visa — these cannot be 'provisional' visas, and
• travel conditions on that visa to let you return to Australia.

Other visitors who need a visa

You must have a valid visa before you travel to New Zealand, if you are:

• not a citizen of a visa waiver country or territory
• not an Australian permanent resident
• not arriving on a cruise ship, and
• not on the list of travellers who do not need an NZeTA.

If you are coming to New Zealand for medical treatment or consultation, you need to apply for a Medical Treatment Visitor Visa, not an NZeTA.

Medical Treatment Visitor Visa

Explore visa options

How long you can visit for

When you arrive at the New Zealand border with your NZeTA, we may give you a visa that lets you stay:

• up to 3 months at a time, or
• up to 6 months at a time if travelling on a UK passport.

We usually give Australian permanent residents and citizens an Australian Resident Visa.

Your visa expires when the 3 months or 6 months have passed — or if you leave earlier. When you arrive in New Zealand next time with an NZeTA, we give you a new visitor visa.

You can only be in New Zealand for up to 6 months within any 12-month period. This period is the 12 months counting back from your intended departure date (when you plan on leaving New Zealand).

You are travelling on a passport from Canada. This means you can stay in New Zealand for visits of up to 3 months. You visit for the first time for 3 months, from 1 January 2023 to 31 March 2023. After your visit, you return home.

You decide you want to make a second visit, again for 3 months. You plan to arrive in New Zealand on 1 July 2023, and leave on 30 September 2023 (your intended departure date). This means you will be in New Zealand for a total of 6 months in the period 1 October 2022 to 30 September 2023 — this is the 12-month period counting back from your intended departure date.

You can make this visit because you will be in New Zealand for no more than 6 months in that 12-month period. Refer to Figure 1.

After your second visit you return home. You decide you want to visit New Zealand again for the whole month of November 2023.

You cannot make this third visit because you will be in New Zealand for a total of 7 months in the period 1 December 2022 to 30 November 2023 — this is the 12-month period counting back from your intended departure date. You can only spend a total of 6 months in New Zealand in any 12-month period. Refer to Figure 2.

Transiting to another country through Auckland International Airport

Some travellers can use an NZeTA to transit Auckland International airport as a transit passenger  on their way to another country. You can stay in the transit area for up to 24 hours and cannot visit New Zealand. Auckland International Airport is the only airport in New Zealand where you can be a transit passenger. 

If you are passing through a different New Zealand airport on your way to another country, you will be a visitor not a transit passenger. This is because there is no transit area, so you have to enter New Zealand. Refer back to the section on 'Visiting New Zealand'.

Check who needs an NZeTA, a Transit Visa or neither to transit through New Zealand.

Transit passengers

Crew member of a cruise ship or commercial airline

You need to get a Crew ETA through your employer if you are a crew member of a:

• cruise ship — this includes if you are flying in to join the ship in New Zealand, or
• commercial airline.

If you are a cargo ship crew member, you will need to hold an NZeTA if you are travelling to New Zealand on or after 1 April 2025. This includes crew on ships authorised to carry coastal cargo.

Crew of planes and cruise ships

Checking your NZeTA status

After you request an NZeTA you can check its status or update your details.

Check your NZeTA status

How to request a change to your NZeTA

We usually process NZeTA requests within 72 hours — many are processed faster, but some may take longer. To avoid delays, you should request an NZeTA well before you travel.

The criteria and evidence below will provide you with the information you need to meet the requirements of an NZeTA.

View All Evidence

You must provide proof of your identity

We use your passport details to check your identity.

You may not be allowed to check in to your flight if your passport is close to expiring. Check that it will not expire while you are in New Zealand or close to when you plan to leave New Zealand.

Before you travel to New Zealand

You must be in good health

You must be of good health. When you request your NZeTA you will be asked whether you are coming to New Zealand for medical consultation or treatment. 

If you want to come for medical consultation or treatment, you need to apply for a ‘Medical Treatment Visitor Visa’ before travelling to New Zealand.

You must be of good character

When you request your NZeTA, you will be asked some questions about your character.

You may not meet our good character requirements if any of the following apply:

• you have a criminal conviction
• you have been deported, removed or excluded from another country
• we have reason to believe you may be a risk to New Zealand's security, public order or public interest.

If you are visiting New Zealand, you must meet all the requirements to get a visa and entry permission.

You must not be a person described in sections 15 and 16 of the Immigration Act 2009:

Section 15 Certain convicted or deported persons not eligible for visa or entry permission to enter or be in New Zealand – New Zealand Legislation

Section 16 Certain other persons not eligible for visa or entry permission – New Zealand Legislation

Australian citizens and permanent residents who are visiting New Zealand must meet the character requirements of the Australian Resident Visa. Australian Resident Visa

Other visitors must meet the character requirements for temporary visas. Good character for temporary visas

If we have reason to believe you are not of good character, you will not receive a NZeTA.

People who may be considered a risk to New Zealand’s security, public order or public interest, include those who are registered sex offenders or associated with a gang.

If we have reason to believe you are not of good character, we can stop you from travelling to New Zealand at check-in, or refuse you entry permission when you get here.

If you are not sure you will meet our requirements for good character, you should apply for a visa before coming to New Zealand.

You can be any nationality if entering New Zealand as a cruise ship passenger

We use your passport to check your citizenship when you request your NZeTA.

Arriving by plane

You must be a citizen of a visa waiver country if entering New Zealand by plane

In transit through Auckland International Airport

You must be a citizen of a visa waiver country or transit visa waiver country if passing through Auckland International Airport as a transit passenger on your way to another country

If you are from any other country, you can get an NZeTA if you are passing through Auckland International Airport as a transit passenger on your way to or from Australia.  

Transit passengers must remain in the transit area at Auckland International Airport.

Transit visa waiver country

You must have enough money to live on while you’re in New Zealand

You must have at least NZD$1,000 for each month of your stay, or if you have already paid for your accommodation, NZD$400 for each month of your stay.

You may be asked for evidence you will have access to your funds when you check-in or arrive in New Zealand.

If you are pregnant, there are additional requirements.

Paying for maternity care

You cannot meet the funds requirement for visa waiver travel by arranging a sponsor. If you want to arrange sponsorship , you have to apply for a visa before you travel to New Zealand.

Onward travel

You must have a ticket out of New Zealand

When you check-in, you will be asked to present your travel ticket out of New Zealand to a country you have the right to enter .

Your departure date must be within 3 months of your arrival, or if you are from the United Kingdom, within 6 months.

If after you leave New Zealand you will be travelling to a country that also has an onward travel requirement, we may ask to see that ticket too.

Your tickets must be paid for before your travel.

If you will be leaving on a private craft or cruise ship, we will accept a letter from the craft owner or a cruise itinerary as proof of your travel arrangements.

If your only reason for coming to New Zealand is to renew a visa for another country, we recommend that you apply for a visa before travelling.

Time in New Zealand

You can only visit New Zealand for up to 6 months in any 12-month period.

We will check our records to see how much time you have spent in New Zealand.

If you do not meet this requirement, you must apply for a visitor visa and have it before you travel to New Zealand.

Relationship with family

Your family must meet the same requirements to travel to New Zealand with an NZeTA.

To travel to New Zealand with an NZeTA, your family must:

• be in good health
• be of good character
• be bona fide applicants
• be citizens of a visa waiver country – except if arriving by cruise ship
• have enough money to live on while in New Zealand
• have a ticket out of New Zealand to a country they have the right to enter .

Genuine intentions to visit, study or work in NZ

Evidence that you are a genuine visitor

If family members do not meet the requirements they should apply for a visa before visiting New Zealand.

Process and costs

Find out the process, timeframes and costs of requesting an NZeTA, based on your passport and if you are visiting or transiting. Visitors must pay an International Visitor Conservation and Tourism Levy (IVL).

We cannot display any process or costs information until you have provided your personal details. Enter your details in the panel above to view information relevant to your situation.

When you arrive

You need to apply for entry permission and meet the conditions of the visa we give you.

Entry permission

All travellers visiting New Zealand must complete a traveller declaration before arriving.

As part of the declaration, you apply for a visa and entry permission . We check your identity and other information to make a decision.

You can complete the traveller declaration online up to 24 hours before your trip to New Zealand starts. Find out how to submit your declaration on the New Zealand Traveller Declaration website.

New Zealand Traveller Declaration

If you are a transit passenger  at Auckland International Airport, you do not have to complete a traveller declaration. This is because you cannot leave the transit area to visit New Zealand.

Visa conditions

If we decide you meet the requirements, we give you a visa.

Australian permanent residents may get an Australian Resident Visa.

If you are a citizen of a visa waiver country, we may give you a Visa Waiver Visitor Visa to stay up to 3 months — or 6 months for UK citizens.

Visa Waiver Visitor Visa

If you are arriving by cruise ship you will be deemed to hold a visitor visa .

Stay longer

If you are in New Zealand now and want to stay longer, you need to get another visa.

Extend your visit

If you are in New Zealand now and want to stay longer than the conditions of your visa, you must apply for another visa and have it before your current visa expires.

Find the visa that is best for you.

Staying after your visa expires

You can be deported if you stay in New Zealand after your visa expires. If you are deported you risk not being able to return to New Zealand in the future.

If you do not leave before your visa expires

Request an NZeTA

Check if you need an NZeTA or a visitor visa

If you come to New Zealand on a holiday, you may need to get an NZeTA or a visitor visa.

Australian citizens travelling on an Australian passport — do not need an NZeTA .

Visa waiver countries — you may still need an NZeTA. Check on Immigration NZ's website.

Find out if you need an NZeTA or a visa

Depending on the country you’re from and your situation, you may need a New Zealand Electronic Travel Authority ( NZeTA ) or a visitor visa to come to New Zealand.

Use Immigration New Zealand’s online tool to work out whether you need an NZeTA or a visa for your holiday.

Check if you need an NZeTA or a visa — Immigration New Zealand

Apply for an NZeTA or a visitor visa

Once you know what you need, the next step is to apply.

• How to request an NZeTA
• How to apply for a visitor visa

Make changes to an NZeTA

You can make changes online to your NZeTA to update your details or correct small errors.

How to request a change to your NZeTA — Immigration New Zealand

Before you travel to New Zealand

Even if your passport is from a visa-waiver country, there are still some conditions to your travel.

You must have:

• a valid passport
• a ticket out of New Zealand, and
• enough money to live on while you’re here.

Before you travel to New Zealand — Immigration New Zealand

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Last updated 10 May 2024

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