The New Zealand Electronic Travel Authority (NZeTA) is an electronic authorization that travelers from certain countries must obtain before entering New Zealand.
It applies to citizens of visa-waiver countries as well as passengers transiting through Auckland.
Designed to streamline entry procedures and strengthen border security, this online process has become a mandatory step for many visitors.
Against this backdrop, New Zealand authorities have recently announced new measures, starting with an easing of requirements for travelers from Pacific nations.
NZeTA: relaxed requirements for Pacific travelers arriving from Australia..
Beginning November 3, 2025, New Zealand will launch a 12-month trial aimed at making it easier for citizens of Pacific Islands Forum member states to travel.
Specifically, these travelers will be able to fly from Australia to New Zealand without a visa, provided they apply for a NZeTA starting October 27, 2025.
“Instead of applying for a visa, if they have a valid eligible Australian visa, they will be able to travel to New Zealand on a New Zealand Electronic Travel Authority (NZeTA), and stay for up to 3 months,” New Zealand Immigration announced today.
The following Pacific Islands Forum member countries are included:
- Fiji, Kiribati, Marshall Islands, Micronesia (Federated States), Nauru, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tonga, Tuvalu, and Vanuatu.
The eligible Australian visa categories are:
- UR160: Business Owner (provisional), UR161: Senior Executive (provisional), UR162: Investor (provisional), UR163: State/Territory Sponsored Business Owner (provisional), UR164: State/Territory Sponsored Senior Executive (provisional), UR165: State/Territory Sponsored Investor (provisional), UT173: Contributory Parent (temporary), EB188: Business Innovation and Investment (provisional), TO300: Prospective Marriage, UF309: Partner (provisional), GA400: Temporary Work (Short Stay Specialist), UY405: Investor Retirement, GF407: Training, TQ410: Retirement, TZ417: Working Holiday, TK445: Dependent Child, UP461: New Zealand Citizen Family Relationship, US462: Work and Holiday, UC457: Business (Long Stay), VF476: Skilled – Recognized Graduate, GK482: Skills in Demand, VC485: Temporary Graduate, SP489: Skilled Regional (provisional), PS491: Skilled Work Regional (provisional), PE494: Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (provisional), TU500: Student, TU590: Student Guardian, FA600: Visitor, TV651: eVisitor, UK820: Partner (temporary), GH870: Sponsored Parent, and UU884: Contributory Aged Parent.
… and for Chinese citizens
Starting in November, New Zealand will roll out a similar pilot program for Chinese nationals.
They too will be allowed to enter the country visa-free from Australia, under a 12-month trial.
“From 3 November 2025, people with passports from China can visit New Zealand from Australia without a visa,” New Zealand Immigration also confirmed today.
As with Pacific Island travelers, this option will require both a valid NZeTA and an eligible Australian visa (from the same list above).
NZeTA: a mandatory step for visa-waiver travelers to New Zealand
Whether they are Pacific Islanders covered by the new trial, Chinese citizens taking part in the pilot, or travelers from any visa-waiver country, all visitors must obtain a NZeTA before traveling to New Zealand.
This electronic travel authorization also requires payment of the International Visitor Conservation and Tourism Levy (IVL), a tax used to fund environmental preservation and tourism infrastructure, which was raised last year.
The NZeTA application is completed online via the official website nzeta.immigration.govt.nz or through the dedicated mobile app (iOS | Android). Travelers must enter personal and passport details, answer basic security questions, upload a photo/selfie, and pay the required fees.
Authorities recommend applying at least 72 hours before departure, although approvals may be issued more quickly.
Once granted, a NZeTA is valid for two years, provided the traveler’s passport remains valid. It allows multiple entries into New Zealand during that period, within the limits of the permitted stay for each traveler category.
In addition, all passengers must complete a New Zealand Traveller Declaration (NZTD) no earlier than 24 hours before arrival. This electronic form, separate from the NZeTA, provides health, customs, and security information and must be presented upon arrival to facilitate border checks.
