Learn more about the available visa options and entry requirements into New Zealand
We enjoy welcoming visitors to New Zealand. Having a valid passport and the right visa is key to a trouble-free entry into New Zealand. Your passport has to be valid for at least three months beyond your intended departure date, and if required, have a valid New Zealand visa.
On this page, you'll find helpful information on New Zealand visa options:
You do not need a visa to visit New Zealand if you are:
If you plan to visit New Zealand for a short period, you need to request a New Zealand Electronic Travel Authority(opens in new window) (NZeTA) before you travel if you are:
If you don’t meet the above, then you’ll need a visitor visa. The fastest and easiest way to apply for a visitor visa(opens in new window) is online.
Before travelling to New Zealand, you need to make sure your passport is valid for at least three months longer than your expected departure date. If you come from a country that needs a New Zealand visa to enter, please be sure to apply in advance.
If you have a biometric ordinary passport (or electronic passport) and are over 12 years old, you may be able to use New Zealand Customs eGate service. This allows you to complete your Customs and Immigration checks faster so you can get on with enjoying your visit to New Zealand.
Working holiday visas(opens in new window) are available to young people, usually aged 18-30 (but 18-35 for a select few nationalities). They let you travel and work in New Zealand for up to 12 months, or 23 months if you’re from the UK. To apply you’ll need to meet the visa requirements, and have:
If you’re thinking of coming to New Zealand to work for a few years, or maybe even to settle, you’ll need a work or resident visa. To get that – you’re likely to need a job.
For information about working in New Zealand, including industry profiles, tips on job hunting, and a list of job sites to check out, visit New Zealand Now.(opens in new window)
If you are travelling to New Zealand via an Australian airport, you may also need an Australian visa – consult your travel agent or airline if you are unsure.
Transit visas (opens in new window)will also be needed for all people travelling via New Zealand, unless they are specifically exempted by immigration policy.
Once you have checked your eligibility for travel(opens in new window), you will need to complete a New Zealand Traveller Declaration(opens in new window).
Travellers arriving into New Zealand international airports now have the option to complete a digital declaration instead of a paper arrival declaration, before travelling to New Zealand. To find out more go to www.travellerdeclaration.govt.nz(opens in new window).
After you’ve cleared passport control, you should collect your baggage and proceed through customs and biosecurity checks. In order to protect New Zealand and its environment, certain items are not allowed to be brought into the country, have restrictions for entry or must be declared if they are deemed to present a biosecurity risk. These include food, plants, animal products and outdoor recreational equipment.
Your baggage may be sniffed by a detector dog and/or x-rayed, and it may be searched to identify any risk goods you might be carrying.
To avoid penalties it is best to familiarise yourself with these guidelines prior to travel. For a detailed list of prohibited, restricted or declarable items, please visit Ministry for Primary Industries(opens in new window) (biosecurity agency).
As a visitor to New Zealand you may be entitled to various concessions and duty free entries on some of your goods. If you are 17 years or older, you are entitled to allowances for alcohol, cigarettes and tobacco. For detailed information on allowances and duty free concessions, please visit New Zealand Customs(opens in new window).
