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🇳🇿 New Zealand visa answers

New Zealand Visa & eVisa FAQs

Clear answers to New Zealand’s entry requirements, fees and rules, backed by official government sources.

Reviewed by Philip Diack, Founder· Updated October 19, 2026· 21 questions· Official sources linked

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New Zealand visa questions: quick answers
Do I need a visa to visit New Zealand?
Most visitors need an NZeTA or a Visitor Visa; Australians need neither.
Full answer ↓
What is the NZeTA and how much does it cost?
NZD $17 (app) or $23 (web), plus NZD $100 IVL.
Full answer ↓
How can I stay in New Zealand longer than my visa-waiver period allows?
Apply online for a Visitor Visa before your NZeTA stay runs out.
Full answer ↓
How long is the NZeTA valid and how long can I stay in New Zealand?
Valid two years for multiple trips, with up to 3 months per visit (6 months for UK citizens).
Full answer ↓
Do I need to complete a New Zealand Traveller Declaration (NZTD)?
Yes, everyone must complete the free NZTD before arrival.
Full answer ↓
Do I need a new NZeTA if I get a new passport?
Yes, the NZeTA is linked to your passport, so a new passport needs a new NZeTA.
Full answer ↓
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Do I need a visa?

Do I need a visa to visit New Zealand?

Most visitors need an NZeTA or a Visitor Visa; Australians need neither.

Most travellers need either an NZeTA (if from a visa waiver country/territory) or a Visitor Visa (if not) before travelling to New Zealand. Australian citizens and permanent residents do not need either.

How long can I stay in New Zealand on an NZeTA?

Up to 3 months (6 months for UK citizens) per visit.

An NZeTA allows a stay of up to 3 months per visit, or up to 6 months for UK citizens, and is valid for 2 years for multiple visits.

Do Australian citizens need a visa or NZeTA for New Zealand?

No, Australians travel visa- and NZeTA-free.

No — Australian citizens can usually live, work and study in New Zealand without applying for a visa or NZeTA beforehand, and are normally given an Australian Resident Visa on arrival if they meet character requirements.

Can I use an NZeTA if I'm arriving by cruise ship?

Yes, but you must request it before your ship departs.

Yes — if you are arriving by sea as a cruise ship or cargo ship passenger you must have an NZeTA, which must be requested before the ship departs for New Zealand.

Your passport decides what you need for New Zealand.Check my requirements →

Costs & fees

What is the NZeTA and how much does it cost?

NZD $17 (app) or $23 (web), plus NZD $100 IVL.

The NZeTA (New Zealand Electronic Travel Authority) is an online travel authorisation for visa waiver country citizens. It costs NZD $17 via the mobile app or NZD $23 via the website, plus the NZD $100 International Visitor Levy.

What is the International Visitor Conservation and Tourism Levy (IVL)?

A NZD $100 non-refundable levy paid with most NZeTA/visa applications.

The IVL is a non-refundable NZD $100 charge paid by most international visitors applying for a visa or NZeTA, used to help fund conservation and tourism infrastructure.

How much does a New Zealand Visitor Visa cost and how long does it take?

From NZD $441; 80% decided within about 2 weeks.

The Visitor Visa costs from NZD $441 (including the IVL), and Immigration New Zealand decides 80% of applications within about 2 weeks.

Do Pacific nationals pay a reduced Visitor Visa fee?

Yes, a temporary reduced fee of NZD $161 for eligible Pacific nationals.

Yes — eligible Pacific nationals (including Fiji, Kiribati, Nauru, Palau, Papua New Guinea, the Marshall Islands, Samoa and Micronesia) applying from outside New Zealand pay a temporarily reduced total of NZD $161 instead of NZD $441, and do not pay the IVL.

How much does the New Zealand NZeTA cost?

Government fees are NZ$17 (app) or NZ$23 (web) for the NZeTA plus a NZ$100 levy, so NZ$117–123 per person.

The government charge has two parts: the NZeTA itself (NZ$17 if requested through the official app, NZ$23 on the website) and the International Visitor Levy of NZ$100 per person, paid in the same transaction. That's NZ$117–NZ$123 in government fees per traveller. PassportsAndVisas.com can handle the whole request, levy included, so it's done right the first time.

What is the International Visitor Levy (IVL) and who has to pay it?

It's a NZ$100 per-person levy paid with your NZeTA or visa; Australians, Australian permanent residents and Pacific citizens are exempt.

The IVL is a NZ$100 per-person levy that funds New Zealand's conservation and tourism infrastructure. Most visitors pay it together with their NZeTA or inside their Visitor Visa fee. It covers you for the life of your NZeTA, which is up to two years. Australian citizens, Australian permanent residents and citizens of Pacific countries don't pay it. When PassportsAndVisas.com prepares your NZeTA or visa, the levy is included.

Will I get the NZ$100 IVL back if my NZeTA or visa is declined?

No, the NZ$100 levy is non-refundable even if the application is declined.

No. The International Visitor Levy is non-refundable, even if your NZeTA or visa isn't approved. That's why it pays to get the application right the first time, and it's exactly what PassportsAndVisas.com checks before submitting.

Government fees change by passport. See your exact total before you pay.See my New Zealand visa price →

Documents & photo

Do I need to complete a New Zealand Traveller Declaration (NZTD)?

Yes, everyone must complete the free NZTD before arrival.

Yes — everyone travelling into New Zealand must complete a free NZTD, including New Zealand passport holders, ideally before the flight rather than on paper on board.

How long must my passport be valid to enter New Zealand?

Valid at least 3 months beyond your planned departure date from NZ.

Your passport or travel document must be valid for travel to New Zealand and must not expire until at least 3 months after the date you plan to leave New Zealand (this 3-month rule does not apply to NZ citizens, NZ residents or Australian citizens).

Most refusals come from a wrong photo or document. We check yours before anything is submitted.Get my documents checked →

Processing & approval

How can I stay in New Zealand longer than my visa-waiver period allows?

Apply online for a Visitor Visa before your NZeTA stay runs out.

You can apply online for a Visitor Visa, which can allow a stay of up to 6 or 9 months depending on your circumstances.

We submit promptly, track your application and keep you updated until it is approved.Start my New Zealand visa →

Length of stay

How long is the NZeTA valid and how long can I stay in New Zealand?

Valid two years for multiple trips, with up to 3 months per visit (6 months for UK citizens).

An NZeTA is valid for up to two years and covers multiple trips. Each visit can last up to 3 months, or up to 6 months for UK citizens. Allow up to 72 hours for approval, though it's wise to apply earlier.

Have a trip to New Zealand coming up? See what your passport needs and what it costs.See my New Zealand options →

Arrival & entry

Do I need a visa or an NZeTA to visit New Zealand?

Australians need nothing, visa-waiver passports need an NZeTA plus the NZ$100 levy, and everyone else needs a Visitor Visa.

It depends on your passport. Australian citizens don't need either. If your passport is on New Zealand's visa-waiver list (about 60 countries, including the US, UK, Canada, most of Europe, Japan, Singapore, Hong Kong and Macau), you need an NZeTA plus the NZ$100 visitor levy, both arranged before you fly. Everyone else needs a New Zealand Visitor Visa, with the levy included in the visa fee. Whichever applies, every traveller also completes the free NZ Traveller Declaration. PassportsAndVisas.com can check your passport and take care of the NZeTA or visa for you.

Do Australian citizens need a visa or NZeTA to visit New Zealand?

No visa, NZeTA or levy for Australian passport holders, just the free NZ Traveller Declaration.

No. If you're an Australian citizen travelling on an Australian passport, you need no visa, no NZeTA and no visitor levy. You're normally granted a resident visa when you arrive, which lets you stay, work and study. The one thing you do need is the free NZ Traveller Declaration, completed before you land.

Do I need an NZeTA if I'm an Australian permanent resident?

Yes, Australian permanent residents need an NZeTA but don't pay the NZ$100 levy.

Yes. Australian permanent residents (holding a current Australian Permanent Resident or Resident Return Visa) must have an NZeTA before travelling, whatever passport they hold. The good news is that you don't pay the NZ$100 visitor levy, only the NZeTA fee. You'll also need the free NZ Traveller Declaration. PassportsAndVisas.com can request your NZeTA for you.

Can I visit New Zealand on a cruise ship with an NZeTA instead of a visa?

Yes, any nationality cruising in and out of New Zealand can use an NZeTA, but the NZ$100 levy applies.

Yes. Cruise passengers of any nationality can use an NZeTA, as long as they arrive and leave New Zealand on the ship. You count as a visitor, so the NZ$100 levy applies, and the NZeTA must be in place before your ship sails for New Zealand. If you're flying into New Zealand to join the cruise and your passport isn't on the visa-waiver list, you need a Visitor Visa instead. PassportsAndVisas.com can arrange the right one for your trip.

Do I need to complete the New Zealand Traveller Declaration, and does it cost anything?

Yes, everyone needs the free NZ Traveller Declaration, and it can be done from 24 hours before departure.

Yes, every traveller entering New Zealand needs one, including New Zealand and Australian citizens, NZeTA and visa holders, babies and children. The declaration itself is free. If you're flying, you can submit it from 24 hours before your trip starts, and it must be done by the time you reach passport control. PassportsAndVisas.com includes it with your New Zealand order, and you should never pay a website that charges for it on its own.

Have a trip to New Zealand coming up? See what your passport needs and what it costs.See my New Zealand options →

Passport

Do I need a new NZeTA if I get a new passport?

Yes, the NZeTA is linked to your passport, so a new passport needs a new NZeTA.

Yes. Your NZeTA is tied to the passport you used to apply, and its details must always match the passport you travel on. If you renew or replace your passport, request a new NZeTA before you fly, or you may not be allowed to board. PassportsAndVisas.com can take care of the new request for you.

Have a trip to New Zealand coming up? See what your passport needs and what it costs.See my New Zealand options →
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Traveling elsewhere in Australia and the Pacific?
Australia
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Fiji
Entry requirements & how to apply →
Papua New Guinea
Entry requirements & how to apply →
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