New Zealand:Visa Requirements

New ZealandLearn the visa requirements for this country. Last check:Last update:

Official Government Website

New Zealand Visa Requirements Map

New Zealand: Visa Requirements

Visa requirements may change. Always verify the latest information through official government sources.

Visa-Free Entry Requirements

  • To travel without a prior visitor visa application, the traveller must meet the valid visa waiver conditions. Most visa waiver travellers are required to obtain a valid NZeTA before starting their journey. If entry permission is granted at the border, a Visa Waiver Visitor Visa record is created for the traveller.
  • The traveller must travel with the passport used in the NZeTA application. The passport or other accepted travel document must be valid for at least three months after the planned date of departure from New Zealand. The document must not be reported as damaged, lost or stolen, or invalidated by the issuing authority.
  • The number of blank pages required in the passport is not definitively specified in the central official source. A central condition requiring the use of a machine-readable or biometric passport for all visa waiver travellers is also not definitively specified.
  • The traveller must be healthy and of good character, have a genuine temporary visit purpose, remain within permitted activities, and plan to leave the country at the end of the visit. Those with an employment purpose in the country must obtain an appropriate work visa, except for the permitted limited remote work exception.
  • The traveller covering their own accommodation costs must have at least 1,000 New Zealand dollars per month. If accommodation is fully paid in advance, the monthly minimum amount is 400 New Zealand dollars. Financial sufficiency can be evidenced by bank or credit card statements, bank drafts, traveller's cheques and pre-paid accommodation receipts. The specific number of months a bank statement must cover is not definitively specified in the central official source.
  • A traveller benefiting from visa waiver cannot use a sponsor to cover their costs. If sponsor support is needed, an appropriate visitor visa must be applied for before travel.
  • The traveller must be able to present a fully paid outbound ticket showing that they will go to a country they have the right to enter at the end of their stay. Persons departing by private vessel may use the vessel owner's letter, and those departing by ship may use the ship itinerary as evidence. The required maintenance funds must be separate from the funds set aside to purchase the outbound ticket.
  • The passport, NZeTA approval email and travel document showing departure from New Zealand must be kept ready during flight or ship check-in and upon arrival in the country. Border officials may request additional evidence regarding financial sufficiency, travel purpose, accommodation and departure plan.
  • The visit permission granted under visa waiver is single-entry and expires upon the traveller's departure from the country. The permitted single visit duration may be up to three or six months depending on the relevant passport and waiver arrangement. Total stay must not exceed six months in any twelve-month period.
  • Each traveller, including spouse and children, must carry their own travel authority and meet entry conditions separately. For a child recorded in a parent's passport, the parent's passport information may be used; however, a separate NZeTA must be obtained for the child.
  • Travel health insurance is recommended but not mandatory for general visa waiver. The minimum insurance coverage is not definitively specified in the central official source. The traveller is personally responsible for the cost of health services they may need in New Zealand.
  • A separate New Zealand Traveller Declaration must be completed for each traveller entering the country. This includes infants and children. The declaration contains information about passport details, first contact address in New Zealand, flight or ship details, travel history in the last 30 days, visa or NZeTA status, and items carried. Although questions can be displayed in different languages, answers must be given in English.
  • Air travellers may submit the digital declaration no earlier than 24 hours before the start of the New Zealand journey and must complete it before reaching passport control. Sea travellers may submit the declaration no earlier than 24 hours before the ship departs from the last foreign port. A printout of the digital declaration is not required. Travellers unable to use the digital system may complete a paper form on arrival.
  • If deemed necessary, an immigration officer may request the taking of a photograph, fingerprints or iris scan. Failure to permit this process, provision of false information, or inability to present evidence of departure and financial sufficiency may result in denial of entry permission.

Electronic Travel Authority Requirements

  • NZeTA is not a visa; it is an electronic travel authority that authorises eligible travellers to travel to New Zealand or transit through Auckland International Airport. Application can only be made via the official online form or the official mobile app.
  • A separate application must be submitted for each traveller. Up to ten people can be included in one application via the mobile app. The application requires a valid passport to be used for travel, an email address, a payment card, one suitable facial photograph, and declarations regarding health, character, travel purpose and history.
  • Identity details must be entered exactly as they appear in the passport. NZeTA is electronically linked to the passport used in the application, and the same passport must be used for travel. The passport must be valid for at least three months after the planned departure date.
  • The number of blank pages required in the passport is not definitively specified in the central official source. The use of a biometric or machine-readable passport is not definitively specified for all NZeTA applications in the central official source. Travel documents reported as damaged, lost or stolen, or invalidated are not accepted.
  • One photograph taken within the last six months and clearly identifying the applicant must be attached to the application. The photograph must not be altered with artificial intelligence, filters, beautification or any other digital tool, and must not be a captured image of another photograph.
  • The online photograph must be in JPG or JPEG format, with a 3:4 vertical aspect ratio, and between 512 KB and 3.14 MB. The face must be centred in the image and cover approximately 70 to 80 percent of the photograph. The head must be straight, gaze directed at the camera, mouth closed, and expression neutral. The image must be clear, eyes open, and no hair, accessories or headgear covering the face. Religious or medical headgear must not cover the sides of the face and the mouth.
  • The background must be neutral, plain and shadow-free; must not contain other persons or objects. A specific background colour is not definitively specified in the central official source. A selfie may only be used in the NZeTA mobile app and must comply with face position, lighting and background rules.
  • A traveller using NZeTA for visit purposes must have at least 1,000 New Zealand dollars per month, or at least 400 New Zealand dollars per month if accommodation is paid in advance. Bank and credit card statements, pre-paid accommodation documents, bank drafts or traveller's cheques may be used as evidence. The number of months the statement must cover is not definitively specified in the central official source.
  • Costs covered by a sponsor are not permitted under NZeTA. A person needing sponsor support must apply for an appropriate visa before travel.
  • The traveller must be able to present an air ticket, ship itinerary or private vessel owner's letter showing departure from New Zealand. If a visa or residence permit is required for entry to the next country, the traveller must also be able to evidence that right.
  • The fee for an NZeTA application made via the mobile app is 17 New Zealand dollars. The fee for an application made via the website is 23 New Zealand dollars. Most visitors also pay the International Visitor Conservation and Tourism Levy of 100 New Zealand dollars per person. Transit travellers and persons under official exemption may be exempt from this levy.
  • NZeTA payment can be made by Visa or Mastercard credit or debit card. Fees are normally not refunded. An application made with incorrect passport information may require a new application and new payment.
  • Up to 72 hours should be allowed for processing of an NZeTA application. Processing may take longer if additional checks are needed, and the authority may request further information. There is a risk of not being accepted onto the aircraft or ship without the travel authority.
  • NZeTA is valid for two years for most travellers and can be used for multiple journeys within that period. The permitted stay on each visit may be up to three or six months depending on the relevant passport arrangement. Total visit duration must not exceed six months in any twelve-month period.
  • NZeTA used for transit purposes only permits a stay of up to 24 hours in the international transit area of Auckland International Airport. The traveller must not leave the transit area, cannot pass through passport control to collect baggage, and cannot stay in a hotel in the transit area. As other New Zealand airports do not have an international transit area, an NZeTA or visitor visa that grants entry to the country is required.
  • The NZeTA approval email, travel passport and evidence of departure from the country must be kept ready during check-in. Although there is no central rule requiring a printout of the approval, the approval email must be accessible digitally or in printed form.
  • Comprehensive travel health insurance is recommended but not mandatory for a general NZeTA application. The minimum insurance coverage is not definitively specified in the central official source.

E-Visa Application Requirements

  • New Zealand visas are issued electronically and a physical label in the passport is not mandatory. For most visas, including the Visitor Visa, applications can be made through Immigration Online. If the application is approved, an eVisa letter containing the visa conditions is provided by email and via the online account.
  • The applicant must create an online account, select the correct visa type, answer the questions in the electronic form completely and truthfully, upload required documents, and pay the relevant fees. Depending on the purpose of the application, nationality, country of residence and selected visa type, additional questions and personalised documents may be generated in the form.
  • Identity details must be entered as they appear in the passport or travel document serving as an identity document. A clear, high-quality copy of the information page of the passport or accepted travel document must be attached to the application. This page must show the photograph, name, date of birth, passport number and issuing authority details.
  • The passport or travel document serving as an identity document must be valid for at least three months after the planned date of departure from New Zealand. In an online application, sending the original passport is normally not required; however, the immigration authority may request the original document later.
  • The number of blank pages required in the passport is not definitively specified in the central official source. The requirement for a biometric or machine-readable passport is not definitively specified for all visitor visa applications in the central official source.
  • One suitable photograph must be submitted for an online application, and two for a paper application. The online photograph must be taken within the last six months, natural, unaltered, in JPG or JPEG format, with a 3:4 vertical ratio, and between 512 KB and 3.14 MB. The face must cover 70 to 80 percent of the photograph; the background must be plain and neutral. A fixed background colour is not definitively specified in the central official source. For paper applications, the photograph must be 35 × 45 millimetres.
  • Supporting documents uploaded to the online system must be in PDF format. A multi-page document must be uploaded as a single PDF file; password-protected or compressed files must not be used. Photographs must be uploaded in JPG or JPEG format.
  • The applicant must be healthy and of good character, have a genuine temporary visit purpose, demonstrate that they will comply with visa conditions and leave the country at the end of the permission. Travel history, photograph pages of current and previous passports, visa pages and entry-exit stamps may be requested.
  • An applicant residing in a country different from their nationality may be requested to provide a copy of a valid visa or residence permit allowing them to legally reside in that country. If there are previous visa refusals from another country, a refusal letter or a letter explaining the reason for refusal may need to be submitted.
  • To demonstrate travel purpose and genuine visit intention, hotel and accommodation reservations, domestic transport reservations, event or tourist attraction reservations and an itinerary may be submitted. If visiting family or friends, the names, contact addresses, phone numbers and citizenship or visa status in New Zealand of the persons being visited may be provided.
  • A standard invitation letter is not mandatory for all applicants for a General Visitor Visa. When a visit to family, a special event, a business meeting or another specific purpose is involved, documents regarding the identity, contact details, status of the inviting person or organisation and the purpose of the visit may be requested depending on the visa type.
  • The applicant must have at least 1,000 New Zealand dollars per month. If accommodation is paid in advance, the monthly minimum amount is 400 New Zealand dollars. As financial evidence, pre-paid accommodation receipts, bank or credit card statements issued in the applicant's name, bank drafts and traveller's cheques may be accepted. The document must show the account holder's name, bank and currency.
  • The exact number of months a bank statement must cover is not specified in the central official source. The immigration authority may request recent account transactions or additional financial documents explaining the source.
  • If the applicant has an acceptable sponsor, the Sponsorship Form for Temporary Entry must be completed. In an online application, the sponsor's sharing ID may also be requested. The sponsor may provide recent bank statements, payslips, employment contract, accommodation ownership documents or rent payment receipts. The sponsor may be responsible for accommodation, living expenses, health expenses and, if necessary, departure costs from the country.
  • The applicant must have an outbound ticket issued to a country they have the right to enter, showing that they will leave the country at the end of the stay. Alternatively, financial resources separate from maintenance funds sufficient to purchase the ticket, or a document showing that the sponsor will cover the outbound travel, may be submitted. If a visa is required for entry to the next country, a valid visa or evidence of right to reside may be requested.
  • To demonstrate ties to their home country, the applicant may submit an employer's leave and return-to-work letter, salary or employment document, student document, company or property documents, close family ties, retirement document or proof of pension. These are not fixed and universal documents for every applicant; they may be requested depending on personal circumstances.
  • Health questions must be answered in the application form. Depending on the answers given, the duration of stay, travel history and health condition, a chest X-ray, medical examination or both may be requested. Health documents must not be older than three months when they reach the immigration authority.
  • If the applicant is 17 years of age or older and the total time in New Zealand, including previous stays, will reach 24 months, police clearance certificates may be requested. Certificates must be obtained from the country of nationality and from countries where the applicant has lived for more than five years after the age of 17. They must not be older than six months at the time of application. The authority may request a more recent document during assessment.
  • Spouse and dependent children not exceeding 19 years of age may be included in the same visitor visa application. Marriage certificate, birth certificate or other documents showing family relationship, identity documents of family members and suitable photographs must be submitted. Included family members must also meet health and character requirements. Additional forms may be requested for additional dependants.
  • The required consent letter, custody order or travel authorisation for minor children is determined according to the individual family situation. A single parental consent format valid for all children is not definitively specified on the central visitor visa page.
  • A full English translation of all non-English documents must be submitted together with a copy of the original document. The translation must be prepared by a translator with qualifications accepted by Immigration New Zealand. There is no central rule requiring notarisation, legalisation or apostille for general visitor visa documents for all applicants.
  • The Visitor Visa fee is shown on the central page as starting from 441 New Zealand dollars. The exact fee, levy and application channel are calculated according to nationality, country of application and application conditions. Most visitors also pay the International Visitor Conservation and Tourism Levy of 100 New Zealand dollars.
  • For online visa payments, Mastercard, Visa or UnionPay credit cards may be used. The payment options offered by the application system may vary by country and application channel.
  • 80 percent of Visitor Visa applications are finalised within approximately two weeks according to the central page. This timeframe is not guaranteed and is regularly updated. It is recommended to submit the application as early as possible during peak periods. A fixed maximum early application date for pre-travel applications is not definitively specified in the central official source. It is not recommended to purchase non-refundable tickets or make reservations before the visa is approved.
  • The Visitor Visa may be granted as single-entry or multiple-entry. The decision depends on the assessment of the application. A multiple-entry visa permits a total stay of up to six months in any twelve-month period. A single-entry visa may allow a stay of up to nine months in any eighteen-month period and expires upon departure. In all cases, the maximum total visit duration is nine months in an eighteen-month period.
  • The Visitor Visa may be used for tourist travel, visiting family and friends, and short-term study of up to three months. It generally does not grant the right to work; an appropriate visa for specific employment or business activities is required.
  • A printout of the eVisa letter must be taken and carried together with the passport during travel. The eVisa is linked to the passport number. If the passport is renewed, lost, stolen, or the name in the passport changes, travel must not be undertaken until the visa record is transferred to the new passport.
  • Travel health insurance is recommended for a general Visitor Visa but is not mandatory. The minimum insurance coverage is not definitively specified in the central official source. Specific visitor visa types, especially long-term family visits or certain health conditions, may have mandatory insurance requirements.
  • The immigration authority may request additional documents, medical examination, police clearance certificate, identity verification or explanation after the application. Biometric data such as photograph, fingerprints or iris scan may be taken from the applicant. Provision of false or misleading information, refusal of the required biometric process, or the travel purpose not being genuine may result in refusal of the application or entry permission at the border.

Transit Visa Requirements

  • The Transit Visa may only be used for travellers continuing to another country via the international transit area of Auckland International Airport. The traveller must remain in the transit area and transit through New Zealand for a maximum of 24 hours. They must not leave the transit area, pass through passport control to collect baggage, or stay in a hotel in the transit area.
  • As airports outside Auckland do not have an international transit area, the Transit Visa cannot be used. Travellers connecting from these airports must obtain an appropriate visitor visa or NZeTA that grants entry to the country.
  • The Transit Visa can be obtained using an online or paper form. For an online application, an account must be created, the form completed, documents uploaded and the fee paid. If approved, the eVisa is added to the online account and an email is sent to the applicant.
  • The passport or travel document serving as an identity document must be valid for at least three months after the planned date of departure from New Zealand. In an online application, a high-quality scan of the biographical information page containing the photograph, name, date of birth and document details must be uploaded separately.
  • The number of blank pages required in the passport is not definitively specified in the central official source. The requirement for a biometric or machine-readable passport is not definitively specified for all transit visa applications in the central official source.
  • One suitable photograph is required for an online application, and two for a paper application. The online photograph must be taken within the last six months, unaltered, in JPG or JPEG format, with a 3:4 vertical ratio, and between 512 KB and 3.14 MB. The paper application photograph must be 35 × 45 millimetres.
  • Details of the transit flights through New Zealand, the complete itinerary and a copy of the outbound ticket from New Zealand must be attached to the application. The itinerary must show the arrival and departure times for the countries on the journey. For paper applications, a statement explaining the travel purpose must also be submitted.
  • The traveller must prove they have the right to enter or transit through the countries on the transit route. If a visa or residence permit is required for entry to the next country, the valid document must be obtained before travel. On certain routes, a valid visa for the country where transit continues may be especially mandatory.
  • The applicant must be of good character and genuinely intend to come to New Zealand only as a transit traveller. The immigration authority may request additional documents explaining the travel reason, route and right of entry to the next country.
  • Spouse and dependent children not exceeding 19 years of age may be included in the same Transit Visa application. Family members must prove their identity, submit suitable photographs, meet the good character requirement, have only a transit purpose, and hold an outbound ticket from New Zealand.
  • It is recommended to have English translations of transit documents ready during travel. There is no central rule stating that translation is mandatory for all transit applications. The requirement for notarisation, legalisation or apostille is not definitively specified in the central official source.
  • The Transit Visa fee starts from 235 New Zealand dollars. The exact fee and payment method are shown according to the applicant's nationality, country of application and application channel. The general online visa payment system accepts Mastercard, Visa and UnionPay.
  • 80 percent of Transit Visa applications are finalised within four days according to the central page. This timeframe is not guaranteed. Processing may take longer if additional information or checks are needed.
  • Air travellers remaining in the transit area are not required to complete the New Zealand Traveller Declaration. If the traveller leaves the transit area or makes a connection at an airport outside Auckland, they are no longer considered a transit traveller and appropriate permission is required for entry to the country.
  • The minimum bank balance, bank statement period, accommodation reservation, travel health insurance or minimum insurance coverage for a transit visa are not definitively specified in the central official source.
Population
5,287,479(2026 est.)
Official language
English, Māori, New Zealand Sign language
Government type
Parliamentary constitutional monarchy
Continent
Oceania
Capital
Wellington
Currency
New Zealand dollar
Area
268,021 km²
Phone code
+64

New Zealand: Key Destinations

New Zealand's main international gateway is Auckland, home to the country's busiest airport and a vibrant urban hub. The capital city, Wellington, lies at the southern tip of the North Island and serves as the political and cultural center. Christchurch, the largest city on the South Island, is a key arrival point for travelers exploring the southern regions.

The country's Maori heritage and contemporary arts scene are particularly strong in Rotorua and the Bay of Plenty region. Business and education hubs include Auckland, Hamilton, and Dunedin, while the stunning coastline and fiords of the South Island draw nature enthusiasts. The subtropical Bay of Islands in the north offers a different island experience.

Most visitors structure their trip by traveling between the North and South Islands via ferry or short domestic flights. The well-connected road network allows for self-drive itineraries that explore volcanic plateaus, glacier regions, and coastal routes. Common multi-city itineraries start in Auckland, continue to Rotorua and Queenstown, and often include a stop in the capital.