New Zealand eTA Visa Types — Visitor & Transit NZeTA

The New Zealand Electronic Travel Authority (NZeTA) became mandatory for eligible visa-waiver nationals from October 2019. There are two main NZeTA types — the Visitor NZeTA and the Transit NZeTA — along with the cruise ship NZeTA which is open to all nationalities. Understanding which type applies to your situation will ensure you apply correctly and have no issues at the border. The application process is the same for all types — a simple online form completed in under 10 minutes. For full country eligibility details, see our NZeTA Information page.

Visitor NZeTA — Tourism, Business & Short-Term Visits

The Visitor NZeTA is the standard NZeTA type for nationals of New Zealand's visa-waiver countries who are travelling to New Zealand for tourism, business, visiting family or friends, short-term study, or unpaid activities. It is the most common NZeTA type and covers the vast majority of international travel to New Zealand.

Who is it for?

• Tourists and holiday travellers
• Visitors coming to see family or friends
• Business visitors attending meetings, conferences, or training
• Travellers enrolling in short courses or study programmes of up to 3 months
• Participants in unpaid amateur sporting or cultural events

Visitor NZeTA Key Facts

• Stay duration: Up to 90 days per visit (6 months for UK passport holders)
• Validity: 2 years from date of approval
• Entries: Multiple entries permitted
• Eligibility: Nationals of NZeTA visa-waiver countries travelling by air or sea
• IVL: NZD $35 International Visitor Conservation and Tourism Levy included in the application fee

The Visitor NZeTA does not permit paid work, long-term study, or medical treatment. For a full breakdown of permitted and non-permitted activities, see our Permitted Activities page.

Transit NZeTA — Connecting Through New Zealand

The Transit NZeTA is required for visa-waiver nationals and transit visa-waiver nationals who are connecting through a New Zealand airport on their way to another destination. Unlike many countries that offer airside transit without requiring prior authorisation, New Zealand requires all transit passengers from eligible countries to hold a valid NZeTA before travelling — regardless of whether they plan to leave the airport.

Who Needs a Transit NZeTA?

• Travellers connecting through Auckland, Christchurch, Wellington, or other New Zealand airports
• Nationals of full visa-waiver countries transiting by air
• Nationals of transit visa-waiver countries (including Bahamas, Colombia, Indonesia, Philippines, Thailand, and others) who are transiting through Auckland

Transit NZeTA Key Facts

• Stay duration: For the duration of your transit stopover only
• Validity: 2 years from date of approval — same as Visitor NZeTA
• Entries: Multiple entries permitted within the 2-year validity
• Eligibility: Visa-waiver and transit visa-waiver nationals transiting through New Zealand by air
• Airside transit: An NZeTA is required even if you remain in the airport terminal and do not pass through border control

Nationals of countries that are not on the visa-waiver or transit visa-waiver list must apply for a standard New Zealand Transit Visa instead of an NZeTA.

Cruise Ship NZeTA — Any Nationality

One of the most important distinctions for cruise travellers is that the NZeTA for cruise ship arrivals is open to passengers of any nationality — there is no restricted country list for sea arrivals. Whether you hold a US, Indian, Chinese, Brazilian, or any other passport, you are eligible to apply for an NZeTA if you are arriving in New Zealand by cruise ship.

• All cruise ship passengers — regardless of nationality — must hold a valid NZeTA before their vessel arrives in New Zealand.
• Cruise ship crew members also require an NZeTA, regardless of nationality.
• The IVL levy of NZD $35 applies to cruise passengers in the same way as air arrivals.

For full details on the NZeTA for cruise arrivals, see our NZeTA Cruise Ship page.

How to Choose the Right NZeTA Type

Use this simple guide to determine which NZeTA type applies to your trip:

• Visiting New Zealand for a holiday, business, or to see family: Apply for the standard NZeTA (Visitor type). Select your purpose of visit — tourism, business, or visiting family/friends — on the application form.
• Connecting through New Zealand to another country: Apply for the NZeTA and indicate transit as your purpose. The same application form is used — simply select transit as your reason for travel.
• Arriving by cruise ship: Apply for the NZeTA regardless of your nationality. Indicate cruise ship as your mode of arrival on the form.

There is only one application form for all NZeTA types. The type is determined by the purpose and mode of travel you select during the application. All types are valid for 2 years with multiple entries.

Other New Zealand Visa Types — When NZeTA Is Not Enough

The NZeTA covers tourism, short-term business, and transit only. If your plans go beyond what the NZeTA permits, you will need to apply for a separate New Zealand visa directly through Immigration New Zealand. Common visa categories include:

• New Zealand Visitor Visa — for nationals of non-visa-waiver countries, or visitors wishing to stay longer than 90 days (up to 9 months).
• Working Holiday Visa — for young people (typically aged 18–30) from reciprocal countries who wish to work and travel in New Zealand for up to 12 or 23 months.
• Student Visa — for those enrolling in full-time courses longer than 3 months at a New Zealand educational institution.
• Work Visa — for those with a job offer from a New Zealand employer, including the Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV) and Specific Purpose Work Visa.
• Skilled Migrant Resident Visa — for those seeking permanent residence in New Zealand based on skills, qualifications, and employment.
• Medical Treatment Visit Visa — for visitors requiring planned medical treatment in New Zealand.

These visa types are outside the scope of the NZeTA and must be applied for separately through the New Zealand Immigration website. If you are unsure whether you need an NZeTA or a visa, check your passport nationality on our NZeTA Information page.

NZeTA Visa Types — Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to specify my NZeTA type when applying?

There is no separate application form for each NZeTA type. You use a single online application and select your purpose of travel — tourism, business, transit, or cruise arrival — within the form. The same NZeTA is issued regardless of purpose, and it covers all permitted short-term activities.

Can I use a Visitor NZeTA for transit through New Zealand?

Yes. An approved NZeTA covers both visiting and transiting through New Zealand. If you already hold a valid Visitor NZeTA and later need to transit through a New Zealand airport, the same NZeTA is valid — you do not need to apply for a separate transit authorisation.

What if my country is not on the NZeTA visa-waiver list?

If your passport is from a country not on the NZeTA visa-waiver list, you must apply for a standard New Zealand Visitor Visa or Transit Visa through Immigration New Zealand. The exception is cruise ship arrivals — passengers of any nationality may apply for an NZeTA when arriving by sea.

Can I change the purpose of my visit after my NZeTA is approved?

Yes. Your NZeTA covers all permitted short-term activities — tourism, business visits, transit, and cruise arrivals. If your travel plans change, your existing NZeTA remains valid provided all activities fall within the permitted activities for NZeTA holders. You do not need to reapply if your purpose changes within the NZeTA's permitted scope.