If you are an Australian citizen or permanent resident you can visit, work and live in New Zealand. You do not need a visa before you travel to New Zealand. If you are an Australian permanent resident you will need an NZeTA.
Travel to New Zealand without first applying for a visa as long as you meet the character and entry permission requirements.
Things to note
Australian temporary residents are not eligible for this visa.
You can only apply for this visa when you arrive in New Zealand – you can’t apply for it before you travel.
If you leave New Zealand your resident visa will expire — you can apply for a variation of travel conditions to allow you travel without affecting your New Zealand residence status.
If you are an Australian permanent resident you must hold an NZeTA (New Zealand Electronic Travel Authority) before you travel. You do not pay the International Visitor Conservation and Tourism Levy (IVL).
If you are an Australian citizen or permanent resident you can visit, work and live in New Zealand. You do not need a visa before you travel to New Zealand. If you are an Australian permanent resident you will need an NZeTA.
We’ll use your passport to check your Australian citizenship or immigration status.
If you have a valid Australian passport, use it to travel to New Zealand.
Otherwise you can use a foreign passport that confirms you’re both an Australian permanent resident, and hold either:
a valid Australian Permanent Resident Visa
a valid Australian Resident Return Visa.
Australia temporary residents aren’t eligible for this visa.
If your Australian Permanent Resident or Resident Return Visa has been issued electronically, it’s a good idea to check your visa is linked to the passport you’ll be travelling on. You can do this by contacting the Australian immigration authorities.
When you complete your arrival card, you’ll be asked some questions about your character. You may not meet our good character requirements if any of the following apply:
you have a criminal conviction,
you have been deported, removed or excluded from another country.
we have reason to believe you may be a risk to New Zealand’s security, public order or public interest.
People who may be considered a risk to New Zealand’s security, public order or public interest, include those who are registered sex offenders or associated with a gang.
If we have reason to believe you’re not of good character, we can stop you from travelling to New Zealand at check-in, or refuse you entry permission when you get here.
If you aren’t sure you’ll meet our requirements for good character, you should apply for a visa before coming to New Zealand.
The information below will help you understand the process, timeframes and costs involved in applying for this visa, so you can plan ahead and have the best chance of submitting a complete application.
These are the conditions that you must meet once you have your visa.
Entry permission
You must apply for entry permission when you arrive in New Zealand. You can do this by completing an arrival card, which you are given on the way to New Zealand.
You can travel to and from New Zealand as often as you wish, but each time you leave New Zealand your Resident Visa will expire.
You can apply for a resident visa each time you arrive in New Zealand, but your New Zealand residence won’t be considered continuous.
This can be important if you later want to:
apply for a Permanent Resident Visa
apply for New Zealand Citizenship
sponsor a resident visa application for a parent who is not an Australian permanent resident or citizen.
If you want your New Zealand residence to be considered continuous, you can apply for a variation of travel conditions before you leave New Zealand. This will allow you to travel to and from New Zealand without affecting your New Zealand residence status.
