NZeTA Cost — Visa Fees, IVL & Processing Times

What Does the NZeTA Cost Include?

The NZeTA fee covers the processing of your New Zealand Electronic Travel Authority application, document verification, and delivery of your approved NZeTA directly to your email address. All three pricing tiers — Regular, Emergency, and Express — provide the same NZeTA with identical validity and entry conditions. The only difference between them is the processing speed.

Every approved NZeTA is valid for 2 years from the date of approval and allows multiple entries to New Zealand within that period. Each individual stay in New Zealand must not exceed 3 months (or 6 months for UK passport holders). There is no limit on how many times you can enter New Zealand during the 2-year validity period.

IVL — International Visitor Conservation and Tourism Levy

In addition to the NZeTA service fee, the New Zealand government requires all NZeTA applicants to pay the International Visitor Conservation and Tourism Levy (IVL). The IVL is a mandatory government charge of NZD $35 per person and is collected as part of the NZeTA application process.

The IVL funds conservation projects, environmental protection, and tourism infrastructure across New Zealand. Once paid, the IVL remains valid for the full 2-year life of your NZeTA — you do not pay it again on each visit. Australian citizens and New Zealand permanent residents are exempt from the IVL.

Processing Times — Which Option Should You Choose?

• Regular (48–72 hours): Best if you are applying well in advance of your travel date. Most suitable for travellers who have booked flights at least a week ahead.
• Emergency (24–48 hours): Recommended if you are travelling within the next few days and need a faster turnaround. Ideal for last-minute travel plans.
• Express (12–24 hours): Fastest available option — best for urgent or same-day travel needs. Recommended if your departure is within 24 to 48 hours.

Regardless of the option chosen, all NZeTA applicants are advised to apply at least 72 hours before departure when possible. The New Zealand government recommends having your NZeTA confirmed before you check in for your flight, as airlines are required to verify your NZeTA status at the point of check-in.

Accepted Payment Methods

The NZeTA application fee can be paid securely online using all major payment methods including:

• Visa credit and debit cards
• Mastercard credit and debit cards
• American Express (AMEX)
• PayPal

All payments are processed through a secure, encrypted payment gateway. No card or bank details are stored on our servers after payment is complete. The fee can be paid in over 130 currencies — your card provider will apply the relevant exchange rate at the time of payment.

NZeTA Cost — Frequently Asked Questions

Is the NZeTA free?

No. The NZeTA is not free. There is a service fee for processing your application (USD $125–$165 depending on processing speed) plus the mandatory New Zealand government IVL charge of NZD $35. Australian citizens travelling on an Australian passport are exempt from both the NZeTA and the IVL.

Can I get a refund if my NZeTA is rejected?

In the rare event that your NZeTA application is rejected by New Zealand Immigration, you will receive a full refund of the service fee paid. Refunds are not available for applicants who provided incorrect information or whose previous NZeTA applications have been rejected. For full details, see our Refund Policy.

Do I need to pay again if I return to New Zealand?

No. Your NZeTA and IVL are both valid for the full 2-year validity period. You can re-enter New Zealand as many times as you like within those 2 years without paying again. Once your NZeTA expires, you must submit a new application and pay the fees again.

Do children need to pay for an NZeTA?

Yes. Every traveller — including infants and children — must have their own individual NZeTA and pay the associated fees. Each application must use the passport belonging to the individual traveller. You can submit applications for multiple family members at the same time through the online application form.

Is the NZeTA fee the same for all nationalities?

Yes. The NZeTA service fee is the same regardless of your nationality, as long as your country is on the New Zealand visa-waiver list. For a full list of eligible countries, visit our NZeTA Information page.