From 1 October 2019, some international visitors and transit passengers must have an NZeTA (New Zealand Electronic Travel Authority) before travelling to New Zealand.
This applies to travellers from visa waiver countries including students coming to New Zealand for short term English language courses, friends and relatives who visit students and education agents coming for a famil tour.
What is the NZeTA?
The NZeTA is a new border security measure being introduced by the New Zealand Government on 1 October 2019. Some travellers who are eligible to travel to New Zealand without a visa will be required to hold an NZeTA before their travel to New Zealand.
The NZeTA is not a visa and doesn’t guarantee entry to New Zealand. On arrival in New Zealand, travellers must still meet all existing entry requirements, such as holding an onward travel ticket, being a bona fide visitor and being in good health.
Who needs an NZeTA?
People are required to hold an NZeTA before travelling to New Zealand if they are:
• Travelling on a passport from a visa waiver country and do not hold a visa such as a student visa or visitor visa.
• An Australian permanent resident.
To see the full list of visa waiver countries, visit immigration.govt.nz/nzeta
As a visa waiver visitor, students can stay in New Zealand for up to three months, or six months if they are from the United Kingdom. Students wanting to stay longer still require a visa.
Students who are not from a visa waiver country are not eligible for an NZeTA, and will still need to hold a visa before travelling to New Zealand.
Who does not need an NZeTA?
Travellers do not need an NZeTA if they:
• Have a valid New Zealand visa such as a student visa or visitor visa.
• Are a New Zealand or Australian citizen.
For further information, visit immigration.govt.nz/nzeta or download the NZeTA information sheet.