New Zealand Electronic Travel Authority (NZeTA)

You may use an NZeTA if you are a citizen of a visa waiver country or territory (such as EU states, the UK, the US, Japan, Malaysia and the Gulf states listed by INZ), a citizen of China or a Pacific Islands Forum country travelling from Australia with an eligible Australian visa, a passenger arriving on a cruise or cargo ship, an Australian permanent resident, or a transit passenger from an eligible country. Australian citizens need neither a visa nor an NZeTA.

Travellers from countries on neither the visa waiver list nor the transit visa waiver list who arrive by air apply for a Visitor Visa, or a Transit Visa to change planes at Auckland. If they join a cruise to New Zealand as passengers, they must instead request an NZeTA before the ship departs and should answer that they are 'visiting'.

An NZeTA does not guarantee entry. On arrival INZ may grant a visitor visa if you meet the conditions: travellers from waiver countries must show onward travel and enough money if asked, meet health and character requirements, be genuine visitors, and must not have been deported from any country. Visitors may take short courses of up to 3 months in total but not longer programmes.

Use only the official NZeTA website or mobile app, submit the request and pay. The details must match exactly the passport you will travel on, or you may be refused boarding. Allow up to 72 hours. Crew of planes and ships use a separate Crew ETA requested by the employer.

The NZeTA itself lasts 2 years for most travellers, and each visit can last up to 3 months, or 6 months for UK citizens. It also allows transit through Auckland International Airport for up to 24 hours for eligible passengers.