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New Zealand Visa and Passport Requirements
| Passport required | Return ticket required | Visa required | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Australian | Yes | No | No |
| British | Yes | Yes | No |
| Canadian | Yes | Yes | No |
| EU | Yes | Yes | No/1 |
| USA | Yes | Yes | No |
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To enter New Zealand, a passport valid for at least one month beyond the intended period of stay is required by nationals referred to in the chart above.
NZeTA: Citizens of EU countries, Canada, the United Kingdom, the United States, and cruise ship passengers, among others, are required to obtain an NZeTA when travelling to New Zealand for the first time. The NZeTA can be applied for at least 72 hours before travel, either through New Zealand Immigration or via a mobile app. The application process typically takes 5–10 minutes to complete. Follow this link to check if you need an NZeTA or a visa.
The NZeTA is valid for two years and allows multiple entries during its validity period. Additionally, a Visitor Conservation and Tourism Levy (IVL) of NZ$100 is charged alongside the NZeTA fee.
Visas for New Zealand are not required by nationals referred to in the chart above for stays of up to three months with the following exceptions:
• (1) The visa waiver does not apply to people travelling on alien (non-citizen) passports issued by Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania.
• UK nationals may stay for up to six months.
• Australian nationals may stay indefinitely, although Australian permanent residents will need an NZeTA.
Nationals not referred to in the chart are advised to contact their nearest New Zealand high commission or embassy to check visa requirements.
Visitors from countries which have a visa waiver agreement with New Zealand do not need a visa for visits of up to three months (six months for UK visitors).
The visa fees are complicated so please refer to this PDF guide by New Zealand Immigration.
Nationals which have a visa waiver agreement (including all those listed in the chart above) do not require a transit visa, nor do any travellers stopping at a New Zealand airport whose final destination is Australia. Some other nationals do require a transit visa however and should check with the nearest New Zealand embassy/high commission before travelling.
To apply for a visitor visa, go to your nearest New Zealand embassy/high commission or apply online through Immigration New Zealand (www.immigration.govt.nz).
It is illegal to work on a visitor permit, except for Australians who can legally work without a visa or permit. All other nationalities must obtain a work visa, which allows you to enter the country, then a work permit, which allows you to work after your arrival. There are application forms available on Immigration New Zealand's website.
The exception to this rule are working holiday visas, which are available to a number of nationalities aged 18 to 30. The visa is valid for 12 months (or 23 months in some cases) and only issued to people genuinely interested in temporary employment.
Allow three to four weeks for visa processing. Online applications are usually faster. They are processed on average in 8 weekdays.
All visitors making an application for a visitor permit need to demonstrate they have sufficient money to support themselves whilst in the country (typically NZ$1,000 per month).
No vaccination certificates are required.
On arrival, all visitors are required to complete a Passenger Arrival Card before passing through customs or passport control. These cards are usually given out during in-bound flights but are also available in the arrivals area of the airport. Please note: An online declaration form is available for passengers arriving at Auckland Airport, Christchurch Airport and at Wellington Airport.
You can extend visitor visas as long as the total time you spend in New Zealand doesn't exceed nine months in an 18-month period or, in some cases, you may be allowed to stay for a maximum of 12 months. Applications are looked at on an individual basis and visitors need to prove they have sufficient funds to continue their stay. You can apply at any Immigration New Zealand office.
Pets need to undergo medical tests and must be given a microchip implant, a rabies vaccination and rabies titre test before entering New Zealand. Cats and dogs from some countries require a period of quarantine on arrival and an import permit is also required for all pets; download forms and check individual country requirements on the Ministry for Primary Industries website (www.mpi.govt.nz).
Embassies and tourist offices
New Zealand Embassy in the USA
New Zealand High Commission in the UK
British High Commission in New Zealand
Do you need a Visa?
Our preferred partner VisaCentral can make applying for one fast and easy.
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