๐Ÿ‡ณ๐Ÿ‡ฟ

New Zealand NZeTA

e-Visa / ETA Oceania | NZeTA

Last updated

September 1, 2026

โœˆ๏ธ Before You Go

Before you book that campervan, check if you need the NZeTA. Most visa-waiver countries (US, UK, Japan, Germany, etc.) require it, but Australians and permanent residents do not. The official form claims it takes 'up to 10 minutes,' but real-world timing is closer to 20โ€“30 minutes if you have your passport, credit card, and a photo of your face ready. But something the official instructions rarely mention: The NZeTA is tied to your passport number, not your nameโ€”so if you renew your passport after applying, your approval becomes useless. Also, the app asks for your travel history and a health declaration; don't lie about past visits to farms or forests, as border officials do check. A practical note: apply at least 72 hours before departure, but ideally a week out, because the official 'most are instant' claim ignores random manual checks that can take days. And remember: the NZeTA is valid for two years, so if you're a frequent visitor, time your application before a trip, not after.

โš ๏ธ Important Notes

โฐ

Application Window

Apply at least 1 week in advance. Most applications approved within minutes to 24 hours. Valid for 2 years.

๐Ÿ’ฐ

Cost

NZeTA fee NZD 17 (App) or NZD 23 (website), plus International Visitor Levy (IVL) NZD 100 โ€” total NZD 117 (App) / NZD 123 (website)

Fees are subject to change โ€” always confirm on the official site.

  • โ€ข Transit through New Zealand (even without entering the country) requires NZeTA โ€” check before departure
  • โ€ข The fee includes the International Visitor Conservation and Tourism Levy (IVL) of NZD 100 โ€” no separate payment needed
  • โ€ข Applying via the official app is NZD 6 cheaper than the website (App NZD 17 vs Website NZD 23)
  • โ€ข NZeTA is valid for 2 years with multiple entries; each stay up to 6 months
  • โ€ข Only apply through the official nzeta.immigration.govt.nz or the official app โ€” avoid expensive third-party agents
  • โ€ข Passport must be valid for at least 3 months beyond your departure date โ€” not just beyond arrival
  • โ€ข Answer health, character, and deportation history questions truthfully โ€” false declarations lead to refusal
  • โ€ข Australian citizens also need NZeTA (but are exempt from the IVL levy). Australian permanent residents pay both NZeTA + IVL
  • โ€ข From November 2025, Chinese nationals traveling from Australia can use NZeTA instead of a visa (if holding a valid Australian visa)
  • โ€ข Once approved, NZeTA information cannot be modified โ€” if your passport or personal details change, reapply and pay again

๐Ÿ“‹ Application Field Guide

Field Name Tips & Notes
Passport Details

Passport Details

Upload a clear photo of the passport bio page. Passport must be valid at least 3 months beyond departure.
Personal Information

Personal Information

Name must match the passport; disclose previous names if applicable.
Health & Character Declaration

Health & Character Declaration

Answer truthfully โ€” false declarations lead to refusal.
IVL Levy Payment

IVL Levy Payment

Paid online together with the NZeTA fee by credit card. Application only completes after payment.

Step-by-Step Application Guide

๐Ÿ’ก Before You Start

Before starting your NZeTA application, ensure you have your passport, a valid credit/debit card, and a reliable internet connection. Apply at least 1 week before your travel date, though most applications are approved within minutes to 24 hours. Remember that the NZeTA is valid for 2 years and allows multiple entries, so you do not need to reapply for each trip.

1

Account Creation and Login

2fields

Create an account or log in to the official NZeTA portal to start your application.

Screenshot of the official entry card website

๐Ÿ“ธ About This Screenshot

This screenshot shows the latest official electronic entry card landing/login page. The step-by-step text guide below is based on the actual form structure, with detailed field instructions and common mistake warnings for your reference.

Email Address

emailRequired

Enter a valid email address that you check regularly. This will be used for all correspondence and to receive your NZeTA approval. Use the same email for all applications if applying for a group.

โš  Common Mistakes

  • โ€ขUsing a rarely checked email address, causing missed approval notifications
  • โ€ขTyping the email incorrectly, leading to failed delivery of the NZeTA confirmation

Password

passwordRequired

Create a strong password with at least 8 characters, including uppercase, lowercase, numbers, and special characters. Do not use personal information like your name or birthdate. Store it securely as you will need it to check your application status.

โš  Common Mistakes

  • โ€ขUsing a weak password that is easy to guess, risking account security
  • โ€ขForgetting the password and being unable to log in later to check status
2

Personal Information

3fields

Provide your full name, date of birth, and other personal details exactly as they appear on your passport.

Full Name (as on passport)

textRequired

Enter your name exactly as it appears on your passport, including any middle names. Use uppercase letters for the surname if your passport does so. Do not use nicknames or abbreviated forms. Ensure the spelling matches your passport character for character.

โš  Common Mistakes

  • โ€ขUsing a nickname or shortened name instead of the full legal name
  • โ€ขMisspelling the name, especially with special characters like accents or hyphens

Date of Birth

dateRequired

Enter your date of birth in the format DD/MM/YYYY (day/month/year). Use the date exactly as it appears on your passport. Be careful with the order of day and month to avoid swapping them.

โš  Common Mistakes

  • โ€ขSwapping day and month (e.g., entering 05/11 instead of 11/05)
  • โ€ขEntering the year in the wrong format (e.g., 98 instead of 1998)

Nationality

selectRequired

Select your nationality from the dropdown list. This should match the country that issued your passport. If you have dual nationality, use the passport you will travel with.

โš  Common Mistakes

  • โ€ขSelecting the country of residence instead of nationality
  • โ€ขChoosing the wrong country due to similar names (e.g., Republic of Korea vs. Democratic People's Republic of Korea)
3

Passport Details

3fields

Enter your passport number, issue and expiry dates, and other passport-related information.

Passport Number

textRequired

Enter your passport number exactly as it appears on the biographical page of your passport. It is typically alphanumeric (letters and numbers). Do not include spaces or hyphens. Double-check for common confusions: letter O vs digit 0, and letter I vs digit 1.

โš  Common Mistakes

  • โ€ขConfusing the letter O with the digit 0, or the letter I with the digit 1
  • โ€ขIncluding spaces or hyphens that are not part of the passport number

Passport Expiry Date

dateRequired

Enter the expiry date of your passport in DD/MM/YYYY format. Your passport must be valid for at least 3 months beyond your intended departure date from New Zealand. Check that the date is not already passed.

โš  Common Mistakes

  • โ€ขEntering the issue date instead of the expiry date
  • โ€ขUsing a passport that expires too soon, leading to entry denial

Passport Issue Country

selectRequired

Select the country that issued your passport. This is usually your country of nationality, but if you have a passport from another country (e.g., refugee travel document), select that issuing country.

โš  Common Mistakes

  • โ€ขSelecting the country of residence instead of the issuing country
  • โ€ขChoosing a country that does not match the passport type (e.g., selecting a country that does not issue the specific passport type)
4

Travel Details

3fields

Provide information about your planned travel to New Zealand, including arrival date and purpose of visit.

Intended Arrival Date

dateRequired

Enter the date you plan to arrive in New Zealand in DD/MM/YYYY format. This should be your first entry date. If your plans change after approval, the NZeTA remains valid for 2 years, so you do not need to update this date.

โš  Common Mistakes

  • โ€ขEntering the departure date instead of the arrival date
  • โ€ขChoosing a date more than 2 years in the future, which is outside the validity period

Purpose of Visit

selectRequired

Select the primary purpose of your visit from the options (e.g., tourism, business, transit). Choose 'Transit' if you are only passing through New Zealand airports without entering the country. Be honest, as this determines your eligibility.

โš  Common Mistakes

  • โ€ขSelecting 'Tourism' when you are actually transiting, which may cause issues at immigration
  • โ€ขChoosing a purpose that does not match your actual plans, leading to visa complications

Intended Length of Stay (days)

numberRequired

Enter the number of days you plan to stay in New Zealand. The maximum is 183 days (6 months) per visit. Do not exceed this limit. If you are transiting, enter 0 or 1 day.

โš  Common Mistakes

  • โ€ขEntering a number greater than 183, which is not allowed
  • โ€ขEntering the total stay for multiple visits instead of a single visit
5

Health and Character Declaration

2fields

Answer questions about your health and criminal history to determine if you meet New Zealand's entry requirements.

Have you ever been convicted of a crime?

radioRequired

Select 'Yes' if you have any criminal conviction, including minor offenses, even if they were expunged or sealed. If you are unsure, it is better to answer 'Yes' and provide details, as false declarations can lead to visa cancellation and a ban from entering New Zealand.

โš  Common Mistakes

  • โ€ขAnswering 'No' to avoid disclosure, risking severe penalties
  • โ€ขMisunderstanding the question and not including minor offenses or traffic violations that are considered crimes

Do you have any serious health conditions?

radioRequired

Answer 'Yes' if you have a condition that may require significant medical treatment during your stay, such as tuberculosis, or if you are likely to need publicly funded health services. If you answer 'Yes', you may be required to provide a medical certificate. Be truthful to avoid issues at the border.

โš  Common Mistakes

  • โ€ขUnderstating health conditions to avoid extra checks, which can lead to deportation
  • โ€ขConfusing temporary illnesses with serious conditions, leading to unnecessary 'Yes' answers
6

IVL Levy Payment and Submission

3fields

Pay the International Visitor Conservation and Tourism Levy (IVL) and the NZeTA fee, then review and submit your application.

Payment Method

selectRequired

Choose your preferred payment method (credit/debit card or other available options). The total fee is NZD 23 (website) or NZD 17 (official app) for the NZeTA, plus NZD 35 for the IVL. Ensure your card has sufficient funds and is enabled for international transactions.

โš  Common Mistakes

  • โ€ขUsing a card without international transaction capability, causing payment failure
  • โ€ขEntering incorrect card details, leading to multiple failed attempts and temporary blocks

Consent to Declaration

radioRequired

Read the declaration carefully and confirm that all information provided is true and correct. You must agree to the declaration to proceed. False information can result in visa cancellation and a ban from entering New Zealand.

โš  Common Mistakes

  • โ€ขAgreeing without reading the declaration, missing important legal implications
  • โ€ขAssuming the declaration is a formality and not taking it seriously

Review and Submit

textRequired

Before submitting, review all entered information for accuracy. Check your name, passport number, and dates. Once submitted, you cannot edit the application. If you find an error after submission, you must apply again and pay the fee again.

โš  Common Mistakes

  • โ€ขSubmitting without double-checking, leading to errors that require a new application
  • โ€ขRushing through the review and missing obvious typos
Apply on Official Site
Free to use Last Confirmed: September 1, 2026

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