# New Zealand visa requirements: NZeTA, visas and arrival. > New Zealand visa requirements by passport: visa waiver and NZeTA, visitor visas, the visitor levy and arrival. Check INZ. Source: https://www.explera.co.nz/explore/entry-and-visas/ Practical planning Visa waiver and NZeTA, visitor visas, the visitor levy and arrival, from Immigration New Zealand. [Plan a New Zealand programme](https://www.explera.co.nz/contact-us/#quote) [WhatsApp the trade team](https://wa.me/66936568090?text=Hi%20Explera%2C%20I'm%20a%20travel%20agent%20interested%20in%20New%20Zealand%20DMC%20services.) ![The Auckland skyline from Mount Eden at blue hour](https://www.explera.co.nz/assets/dest/auckland-skyline-mount-eden-1400.webp) ## What are the New Zealand visa requirements? Most visitors need an NZeTA or a visitor visa before they fly. Passports from visa waiver countries need only an NZeTA for stays under three months, or six for UK citizens; other passports need a visitor visa. Australian passport holders need neither. Explera DMC New Zealand checks each traveller’s requirement at quotation, against Immigration New Zealand. Last updated: 1 November 2026 ## Why entry is checked first. *Before anything is booked* Entry is the one part of a New Zealand trip that cannot be fixed on arrival: a missing NZeTA or visa can stop a passenger at check-in. The rules follow the passport the traveller flies on, not where they live, so each person in a group or family is checked separately. This page summarises what Immigration New Zealand and New Zealand Customs publish, read on 1 November 2026. It is a planning guide for travellers and their agents, not immigration advice: rules change, so confirm every traveller on the official Immigration New Zealand website before travel. At a glance When to apply Before travel, never at the airport Quotation Net rates, confirmed in writing ## What applies, and to whom. *The rules* ### Visa waiver passports: NZeTA Holders of passports from visa waiver countries do not need a visitor visa for stays of less than three months, or six months for UK citizens, but must get an NZeTA before they travel. Immigration New Zealand may ask for onward tickets and proof of funds on arrival. [Read more](https://www.explera.co.nz/blog/2026-10-05-new-zealand-entry-requirements-nzeta-visas-agents/) ### Other passports: visitor visa Passports not on the visa waiver list, including those of India and China, need a visitor visa applied for before travel, with the visitor levy charged at application. Build the processing time into the booking window. [Read more](https://www.explera.co.nz/new-zealand-dmc-in-india/) ### Australian passports Australian citizens and permanent residents travelling on an Australian passport need neither a visa nor an NZeTA, according to Immigration New Zealand. [Read more](https://www.explera.co.nz/new-zealand-dmc-in-australia/) ### Groups and tour escorts Group Visitor Visa and Tour Escort Visitor Visa applications are now made in Immigration Online. Immigration New Zealand says one group application can hold up to 50 visitor visa applications, and every member must arrive together. [Read more](https://www.explera.co.nz/blog/2026-10-05-new-zealand-group-visitor-visa-online-deadline/) ### Chinese visitors from Australia Under a trial Immigration New Zealand began in November 2025, Chinese passport holders travelling from Australia on an eligible Australian visa can use an NZeTA for up to three months. As of 26 October 2026, INZ says this continues until further notice. [Read more](https://www.explera.co.nz/blog/2026-10-19-chinese-visitors-via-australia-nzeta-trial-groups/) ### The visitor levy Most visitors pay the International Visitor Conservation and Tourism Levy when they request an NZeTA or apply for a visa. Australian passport holders and many Pacific passports do not. The amount is set by the Government, so confirm it on the INZ website. [Read more](https://www.explera.co.nz/blog/2026-10-25-international-visitor-levy-what-it-funds-agents/) ### The traveller declaration Everyone arriving completes a New Zealand Traveller Declaration, including NZeTA and visa holders. By air, the earliest it can be submitted is 24 hours before the trip starts. It covers biosecurity, so food, plant and animal products and used outdoor gear must be declared. [Read more](https://www.explera.co.nz/blog/2026-10-13-new-zealand-biosecurity-arriving-groups-declaration/) ### eGates at passport control New Zealand Customs eGates serve travellers aged 10 or over with an ePassport from an eligible country or territory. An eGate does not replace an NZeTA or a visa, so the entry permission still has to be in place before the flight. [Read more](https://www.explera.co.nz/blog/2026-10-26-new-zealand-egates-arriving-groups-passport-control/) ## Nine source markets at a glance. *By passport* From Immigration New Zealand’s visa waiver list, read on 1 November 2026. Entry follows the passport, not the country of residence. For any other passport, check the visa waiver list on the Immigration New Zealand website. | Passport | Apply before travel for | Stay without a visitor visa | Visitor levy | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | India | Visitor visa | None: a visa is needed | Charged with the visa | | China | Visitor visa (NZeTA trial when travelling from Australia) | None, except under the trial | Charged with the visa | | United States | NZeTA | Less than three months | Paid with the NZeTA | | United Kingdom | NZeTA | Less than six months | Paid with the NZeTA | | Australia | Nothing (Australian passport) | No visa or NZeTA needed | Not paid | | Germany | NZeTA | Less than three months | Paid with the NZeTA | | Singapore | NZeTA | Less than three months | Paid with the NZeTA | | Malaysia | NZeTA | Less than three months | Paid with the NZeTA | | United Arab Emirates | NZeTA | Less than three months | Paid with the NZeTA | ## When to apply. *Timing* Apply as soon as the trip is likely. Immigration New Zealand says an NZeTA is generally processed within 72 hours; a visitor visa needs its own processing time built into the booking window. December to February does not change the rules, but the busiest weeks leave the least room for a late application. ## What to check first. *Group logistics* - Check the passport each traveller will fly on, its validity and its condition. Dual nationals apply with that passport. - Confirm NZeTA or visitor visa for each traveller, and that it is approved before the flight. - Confirm whether the visitor levy applies and that it was paid with the application. - Check transit rules for any itinerary that connects through Auckland to another country. - Brief everyone on the traveller declaration and biosecurity before they pack. ## Related services and programmes. *Plan it with Explera* Services: [Group tours & GIT](https://www.explera.co.nz/services/group-tours-new-zealand/) · [FIT & tailor-made](https://www.explera.co.nz/services/fit-tailor-made-new-zealand/) · [MICE & incentives](https://www.explera.co.nz/services/new-zealand-mice-dmc-services/). See [itineraries](https://www.explera.co.nz/itineraries/) and [fixed departures](https://www.explera.co.nz/fixed-departures/) for ready-made programmes. Sources, checked 1 November 2026: - [Visa waiver countries and territories (Immigration New Zealand)](https://www.immigration.govt.nz/visit/what-you-need-to-visit-new-zealand/visa-waiver-countries-and-territories/) - [On your arrival (New Zealand Customs Service)](https://www.customs.govt.nz/travel-to-and-from-new-zealand/travel-by-air/on-your-arrival) - [New Zealand Traveller Declaration (official site)](https://www.travellerdeclaration.govt.nz/) ## Questions travellers and agents ask about entry. *FAQ* **Do I need a visa to visit New Zealand?** Most visitors need a visa or an NZeTA. Passport holders from visa waiver countries need only an NZeTA for stays of less than three months, or six months for UK citizens. Australian passport holders need neither. **Do Indian citizens need a visa for New Zealand?** Yes. India is not on the visa waiver list, so Indian passport holders apply for a visitor visa before travel, with the visitor levy charged at application. **How long does an NZeTA take?** Immigration New Zealand says an NZeTA is generally processed within 72 hours, so apply well before departure, never at the airport. **Does an eGate replace an NZeTA?** No. eGates speed up passport control for eligible ePassport holders aged 10 or over, but every traveller still needs the right entry permission before the flight. **Who confirms the rules for my trip?** Immigration New Zealand. This page is a planning summary, not immigration advice. Explera DMC New Zealand checks each traveller’s requirement at quotation and points to the official website. ## More ways to explore New Zealand. *Keep exploring* [All themes](https://www.explera.co.nz/explore/) [Getting here](https://www.explera.co.nz/explore/getting-here/) [Getting around](https://www.explera.co.nz/explore/getting-around/) [Self-drive & road trips](https://www.explera.co.nz/explore/self-drive-and-road-trips/) Your New Zealand DMC partner Explera DMC New Zealand is the B2B New Zealand DMC for New Zealand trips planned around entry rules. We contract the accommodation, transfers, licensed guides and experiences at net rates, so you sell New Zealand trips planned around entry rules with one accountable ground partner and your own branding. [Send the brief to our New Zealand DMC desk for a net programme quotation.](https://www.explera.co.nz/contact-us/#quote) ## Start quoting New Zealand at net rates this week. *Trade desk* Register on the Explera trade platform for net rates, white-label documents and one accountable desk from first quote to final transfer. Registration is free and approval is fast. [Request a quote](https://www.explera.co.nz/contact-us/#quote) [Become a partner](https://b2b.expleradmc.com/web/signup) [WhatsApp +66 93 656 8090](https://wa.me/66936568090?text=Hi%20Explera%2C%20I'm%20a%20travel%20agent%20interested%20in%20New%20Zealand%20DMC%20services.) [b2b@explera.co.nz](mailto:b2b@explera.co.nz)