If you’re planning to visit New Zealand, you’ll need to have a valid visa in order to enter. If you’re looking for a fast and easy way to get a visa for New Zealand, the e-Visa is your best option.

A NZeTA (New Zealand Electronic Travel Authority) is an entry document that’s both issued and recorded electronically. New Zealand officials issue most NZeTAs and e-Visas, which permit traveling to, entering, and staying within the country for a period of time allowed by their specifically approved visa. This electronic travel authorization can take various amounts of time to process them. Be sure to print out your e-Visa letter and bring it with you when traveling to New Zealand.

Here’s everything you need to know about NZeTAs and e-Visas for New Zealand travel and how to get the one correlating with the purpose of your visit.


New Zealand e-Visa Types

Depending on the nature of your travel, there are several different e-visas available:

  • e-Tourist Visa: Visitor Visa, NZeTA (New Zealand Electronic Travel Authority/ New Zealand eta)
  • e-Business Visa: Business Visitor Visa or NZeTA, Entrepreneur Resident Visa, Entrepreneur Work Visa
  • e-Medical Visa: Medical Treatment Visitor Visa
  • e-Family Visa: Parent and Grandparent Visitor Visa
  • e-Retirement Visa: Temporary Retirement Visitor Visa

If you’re visiting New Zealand primarily for sightseeing and tourism, you’ll need to get the NZeTA. This New Zealand ETA is available to cruise passengers, those traveling without a specific New Zealand visa from a visa-waiver country or territory, including the United States, and those transiting through Auckland International Airport. If your travel doesn’t meet that criteria, apply for a Visitor Visa.

If you’re visiting New Zealand for business matters or to attend a conference, you’ll need to get either an NZeTA (if you are based within a visa-waiver country or territory) or a Business Visitor Visa. Entrepreneurs who seek to purchase or set up their own business in New Zealand, or want to work in their own business in the country, can submit an application for an Entrepreneur Work Visa.

A Medical Treatment Visitor Visa is for travelers visiting New Zealand to undergo medical treatment. If you have children or grandchildren who are New Zealand citizens or residents, the Parent and Grandparent Visitor Visa permits travel in and out of the country to see family. For those over the age 66 with a significant amount of money to invest in New Zealand, the Temporary Retirement Visitor Visa grants a temporary stay.

How to Apply for a New Zealand e-Visa

Even though applying for a New Zealand e-Visa is fast and easy, we’ll make it even more so by taking care of it for you. Here’s all the information you’ll need to provide Entriva for your New Zealand e-Visa:

  • Personal information (full name on passport, nationality, address, date of birth, email, phone number, gender, )
  • Passport information (number, expiration date, place of issue, date of issue, etc.)
  • Type of New Zealand e-Visa needed
  • Travel dates
  • Port of arrival and expected port of departure
  • Information on any current or previous e-Visas or visas for New Zealand travel
  • Emergency Contact/Family details (names, addresses, email, phone, nationality, etc.)
  • One photo and copy of passport page (see Required Documents below for more information)
  • Payment information for New Zealand e-Visa processing fee and other applicable e-Visa fees

Now, sit back and wait for your e-Visa to be ready! You can check your personal Traveler Hub for updates. Processing typically takes three business days for all e-Visa types.

New Zealand e-Visa Documents

The following are the necessary documents you’ll need to apply for a New Zealand visa online:

  • A valid passport with two blank pages (passport must be valid for at least six months beyond the visa application date)
  • Scanned copy of passport bio page clearly showing personal details and photo
  • One digital photo: JPG format, minimum size 10 KB and maximum size 1 MB; photo should be equal height and width
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New Zealand e-Visa Validity

Here’s how long various e-Visas are valid:

  • NZeTA (New Zealand Electronic Travel Authority/New Zealand ETA): Two years for travelers, five years for crew members
  • Business Visitor Visa: Up to three months
  • Medical Treatment Visitor Visa: Six months

New Zealand e-Visa Fees

New Zealand e-Visa fees will vary based on your country of citizenship and where you’re located upon applying. The New Zealand immigration department has a section on its webpage in which travelers can look up certain New Zealand visa fees based on these and other criteria. (A US citizen with a US-issued passport who’s coming to New Zealand for a visit could pay NZ$52 for an NZeTA, for example.)

An International Visitor Conservation and Tourism Levy (IVL) of NZ$35 per person is included in the cost of an NZeTA and certain e-Visas.

In addition to mandatory government fees, Entriva charges amongst the industry’s lowest handling fees, starting at just $50.

FAQs About New Zealand e-Visas

Here are some commonly asked questions about New Zealand e-Visas.

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How long does it take to get the e-Visa?

Processing times for e-Visas to New Zealand can vary based on the complexity of their visa application requirements. Most NZeTA/New Zealand ETA applications are typically processed within 72 hours, though it can take longer due to demand and other factors.

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Can I renew or extend my e-Visa?

Depending upon your type of e-Visa for New Zealand, you may be able to renew it by applying for another visa or a temporary visa before your current e-Visa expires. It’s advised to apply for another visa at least one month before your current visa’s expiration date.

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How far in advance should I get my New Zealand tourist e-Visa?

To obtain a NZeTA/New Zealand ETA , which applies to travelers from New Zealand visa-waiver countries or territories, it’s advised to apply online well in advance of your trip. The processing time for this e-Visa is within 72 hours. Note that, among other requirements, you must have a ticket out of New Zealand to apply for this e-Visa.

If passport holders are neither cruise passengers nor from or located in a New Zealand visa-waiver country or territory, they can be eligible for a Visitor Visa. It is also recommended to apply far in advance, as processing times can run long, and not to book non-refundable travel until an e-Visa has been approved.

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Can I travel to New Zealand using a different or separate passport than the one I got my e-Visa with?

No. New Zealand e-Visas and the NZeTA are electronically linked to a specific passport. They’re only valid with the passport that was used in the application process.

If your passport has been renewed, or a new one has been issued, you must inform the New Zealand Immigration department so your records can be updated and you can travel to and from New Zealand.

To request a transfer of your visa and get an e-Visa, travelers need to complete an Application for Transfer or Confirmation of a Visa form and submit copies of both their new passport and, if available, old passport.

If your passport was lost or stolen, go to and file a report with the local New Zealand police station. Then contact your embassy, consulate, or whoever issued your passport to tell them it is lost or stolen and ask for a new one. You might be asked for a copy of the police report.

Make sure the details of your e-Visa are correct, including your name and passport number. If they don’t match up, you may be delayed when traveling to New Zealand.

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Can I apply for an e-Visa upon arrival in New Zealand?

No. In general, visitors to New Zealand need to obtain a visa before arriving. If you are a citizen of a visa-waiver country or territory, you will need an NZeTA 72 hours before your flight to New Zealand.

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How long can I stay in New Zealand on my e-Visa?

You can stay in New Zealand for the duration of your specific e-Visa or NZeTA. If you’d like to stay in New Zealand for longer, you’ll need to apply for another visa or a temporary visa before your current one expires.

It’s highly advised that you apply for another visa at least one month before your current visa’s expiration date.

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Is the e-Visa a multiple-entry visa?

Certain e-Visas to New Zealand permit multiple entries up to a certain amount of time until their specific expirations; however, these visa holders must not exceed any maximum-stay conditions on their e-Visa. The NZeTA allows travelers multiple entries for visits during its two-year validity; you can visit New Zealand for up to six months in any 12-month period.

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Can I convert an e-Visa to a business visa while in New Zealand?

On a New Zealand visitor’s e-Visa, visitors can look for work or attend a job interview but cannot work. You will need to apply for a work visa or business visa before you can start work.

If you’re from a visa-waiver country, such as the United States, you do not need a Business Visitor Visa, but you must have an NZeTA before traveling to New Zealand.

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If my e-Visa is rejected, can I get a refund?

e-Visa applicants can only be given a refund of their e-Visa application in certain circumstances. Each request is considered on a case-by-case basis.

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Where do I keep my New Zealand e-Visa while traveling?

Keep your print copy of your New Zealand e-Visa in a safe place with your passport. International travel document holders will help keep all your essential documents in one place.

Other New Zealand Visas

The e-Visa isn’t the only visa option for New Zealand–bound travelers. There are other visa types available, including Medical Treatment Visitor Visas, Entrepreneur Resident Visas and Business Visas. We can help with those too.  

Preparing for Your New Zealand Trip

Obtaining a visa is an essential part of planning your trip. At Entriva, we can easily and efficiently help you with every aspect of getting a New Zealand visa. Start your New Zealand visa application process.

For more information on other aspects of travel to New Zealand , such as health and safety , local laws , and cultural customs , visit our New Zealand content hub.