Common topic
New Zealand Electronic Travel Authority (NZeTA)
Published
05 August 2025
Most of New Zealand’s visitors do not need a visa to come here and instead can travel on a New Zealand electronic Travel Authority (NZeTA).
In 2019, the New Zealand Electronic Travel Authority (NZeTA) became mandatory for some visitors from visa waiver countries and transit passengers travelling to New Zealand without a visa.
Visa waiver countries and territories
As at 31 July 2025, there have been 6.6 million NZeTAs approved for travellers since it was introduced in August 2019, including more than 1.6 million approved for the 2024/2025 financial year (1 July 2024 – 30 June 2025).
The NZeTA has strengthened border security and brought New Zealand border controls in line with international best practice.
An NZeTA is valid for two years. This is different from a visa, which is an endorsement on a passport indicating that the holder is allowed to enter, leave, or stay for a specified period of time in New Zealand.
Most NZeTA requests are processed within 72 hours, but often much quicker.
New Zealand Electronic Travel Authority (NZeTA)
When travellers arrive in New Zealand with an NZeTA, there are conditions that they must meet once they are given a visa at the border: