If you will arrive in New Zealand as a cruise ship or cargo ship passenger and you do not have a visa, you must hold an NZeTA (New Zealand Electronic Travel Authority).
Apply for your NZeTA before you join your boat. Your NZeTA must be granted before you leave for New Zealand.
If you have a visa, you do not need an NZeTA.
If you are flying into New Zealand to join your cruise or cargo ship, you must have:
If you are travelling as a passenger on a cargo ship, you can apply for an NZeTA now. You must hold an NZeTA if you are arriving in New Zealand by cargo ship on or after 1 April 2024.
Visa waiver countries and territories
Explore visa options for visiting
If you have a visa, you do not need an NZeTA.
If you are an Australian permanent resident you must request an NZeTA before you travel to New Zealand.
If you are a New Zealand or Australian citizen you do not need a visa or an NZeTA.
Travellers who do not need an NZeTA
All cruise travellers arriving in New Zealand need to complete a New Zealand Traveller Declaration (NZTD). If you are a passenger on a cargo ship, you must complete an NZTD if you are leaving the vessel.
The NZTD asks questions about your travel, including customs, immigration and biosecurity information. It aims to improve the safety and security of New Zealand. Find out how to complete an NZTD on the NZTD website.
New Zealand Traveller Declaration for cruise travellers — NZTD website
When you check in for your cruise or cargo ship you need to show evidence of your NZeTA or visa to check-in staff.
This can be:
If you are a passenger on a cargo ship, you are only required to show your NZeTA if you will arrive in New Zealand on or after 1 April 2024.
When you arrive at your first New Zealand port you will be deemed to hold a visitor visa. This expires 28 days after the ship arrives at its first port of entry in New Zealand or when the ship leaves — whichever happens first.
We will check you meet our entry permission and good character requirements.
Good character for temporary visas
You can stay and visit New Zealand while you are deemed to hold a visitor visa.
You must apply for a visa if:
You must apply for your visa before you leave for New Zealand, or as soon as you know you will be here longer than your deemed visitor visa.
If you are flying out from New Zealand you must show evidence of your onward travel arrangements such as a flight ticket out of New Zealand.
Carol arrives on a cruise ship in Auckland on 10 December. Her ship's trip ended in Auckland, so Carol is deemed to hold a visitor visa until 8 January. If she wants to stay in New Zealand after 8 January, she must apply for a Visitor Visa.
Steve is travelling on a cruise ship that arrives in New Zealand on 1 March and leaves on 10 March. Steve is deemed to hold a visitor visa until 10 March. If Steve leaves his cruise ship, he can travel in New Zealand until 10 March. If he wants to stay in New Zealand longer, he must apply for a visa.
Helen is travelling on a cargo ship as a passenger. She applies for her NZeTA on 15 March before her ship leaves its last port before New Zealand. Her cargo ship will be in New Zealand for 10 days. When she arrives in New Zealand on 7 April, she is deemed to hold a visitor visa until 17 April.
Information valid as at 2025/02/03 09:32:5.539721 GMT+13