Crew of cargo ships, fishing vessels, private yachts and planes
Some crew of cargo ships, fishing vessels and private craft must have an NZeTA or visa before they can come to NZ. They do not need a Crew ETA.
Who does not need a visa, an NZeTA or a Crew ETA
Crew do not need a visa, an NZeTA (New Zealand Electronic Travel Authority) or a Crew ETA (Electronic Travel Authority) if they:
- are travelling on New Zealand or Australian passports
- coming to New Zealand on a private or commercial aircraft that is not a scheduled service.
Travellers who do not need an NZeTA
Crew working on cargo ships
Crew members on a cargo ship travelling from a foreign port to New Zealand, regardless of nationality, do not need a Crew ETA or a visa before travelling to New Zealand. They are deemed to hold a visa when they board their ship at a foreign port and are granted entry permission when they arrive in New Zealand waters.
Passengers and Crews of Cargo Ships (INZ 1089) PDF 237KB
Cargo ship crew members who travel by air to join their ship at its berth in New Zealand must hold:
- an NZeTA if they are from a visa waiver country, or
- a visa if they are from another country.
Crew joining a Ship or Plane Visitor Visa
Crew working on fishing vessels
The crew of fishing vessels working in New Zealand waters must have a work visa. People who hold a visa for New Zealand do not need an NZeTA or Crew ETA.
Crew on private yachts
Crew of private yachts cannot apply for a Crew ETA, but they must have:
- an NZeTA if they are from a visa waiver country
- a visa if they are from another country.
Visa waiver countries and territories
Private Yacht or Plane Visitor Visa
Crew arriving by private aircraft
Crew arriving in New Zealand on a private aircraft are deemed to hold a visa. They do not need an NZeTA or a Crew ETA.
Crew of passenger planes and cruise ships
Most crew of commercial passenger planes and cruise ships need a Crew ETA before they travel to New Zealand. Their employer requests this for them.
Crew of planes and cruise ships
Commercial Vessels that do not fall into any other categories
All travellers on a commercial vessel travelling to New Zealand, which does not fit into another listed category, must have an NZeTA unless they hold a current New Zealand visa, or are an Australian or New Zealand citizen.
If crew members intend to undertake work in New Zealand's Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), they must hold a visa to do so.