Changes to make it easier for Chinese nationals to transit through New Zealand

Further changes have been announced to make it simpler, faster and cheaper for Chinese nationals to transit through New Zealand, reflecting the importance of New Zealand’s relationship with China.

From November 2025 Chinese nationals will be able to transit through Auckland International Airport on a New Zealand Electronic Travel Authority (NZeTA), without having to apply for a separate Transit Visa. This complements the already generous visitor visa offerings New Zealand has for Chinese nationals, and changes announced earlier this week that Chinese nationals with Australian visas will be able to come travel to New Zealand with an NZeTA rather than a Visitor Visa.

Changes to welcome visitors from China

The fee for a transit NZeTA is NZD $23.00 for online requests or NZD $17.00 if using the free mobile app. Most transit NZeTA requests are processed within 72 hours, but often much quicker, and are valid for 2 years.  

Any Chinese nationals transiting through New Zealand before this date will still need a Transit Visa.

If you already have an approved Transit Visa, it will remain valid until its expiry date even after the waiver takes effect.

More detail will be provided closer to the time.

Find out more about the NZeTA:

New Zealand Electronic Travel Authority (NZeTA)

This information is also available in a PDF fact sheet:

Learn more on the Beehive website:

Making it easier for Chinese travellers to transit via New Zealand — Beehive.govt.nz