Transit Visa

Visa details

If you are transiting through New Zealand you need to apply for a Transit Visa, unless you are travelling to Australia, from a visa waiver country or from a transit visa waiver country.

Length of stay
Up to

24 hours

Cost
From
NZD $180
Processing time
90% within
30 days
With this visa you can
  • Pass through Auckland International airport as a transit passenger – you’ll need to stay in the airport’s transit area at all times.
  • Include your partner, and dependent children aged 19 and under, in your visa application.
Things to note
  • You can only transit New Zealand through Auckland International Airport.
  • If you are from a visa waiver country you must hold an NZeTA before you travel. 
    Information about NZeTA

Character requirements
Visa waiver countries and territories
Transit visa waiver countries
Transit passengers

Note

Applicants in Tonga and Samoa may apply by email.

Information for transit passengers

Who can apply

The criteria and evidence below will provide you with the information you need to meet the requirements of this visa.

View All Evidence

You may not need to apply

You may not need to apply for a Transit Visa if your country is on our list of transit visa waiver countries.

You do not need to apply for a Transit Visa if you are a citizen of:

  • a visitor visa waiver country
  • a transit visa waiver country, or
  • any other country and you are passing through New Zealand to a final destination in Australia, and hold a visa for Australia.

If you travel to New Zealand you must hold an NZeTA (New Zealand Electronic Travel Authority) if you are from:

  • a visitor visa waiver country, or
  • a transit visa waiver country.

If you are not from a visitor visa waiver country or a transit visa waiver country, and are passing through New Zealand to or from Australia as a transit passenger you do not need a Transit Visa if you hold an NZeTA.

Transit visa waiver countries

Visa waiver countries and territories

Identity

You must provide proof of your identity

We use your passport details to check your identity.

Tips

  1. Your passport must be valid for at least 3 months after you plan to leave New Zealand.

Character

You must be of good character

We’ll ask you some questions about your character when you apply for your visa.

We’ll consider you to be of good character, as long as none of the following circumstances apply to you:

  • you’ve been convicted of an offence for which you’ve been sentenced to prison for 5 years or more at any time
  • you’ve been convicted of an offence for which you’ve been sentenced for 12 months or more in the last 10 years
  • you’ve been deported  from New Zealand or have been given a prohibition (ban) period from New Zealand at any time
  • you’ve been removed, excluded or deported from another country at any time
  • there’s reason to believe you’re likely to commit an offence in New Zealand that you could be sent to prison for
  • there’s reason to believe you’re a threat or risk to New Zealand’s security or public order or interest
  • there’s reason to believe you’re a member of a terrorist organisation.

Transit passenger

You must genuinely intend to travel to New Zealand only as a transit passenger

You must provide:

  • evidence of your travel arrangements, which must include an itinerary that confirms your arrival and departure times from New Zealand
  • a statement explaining the reasons for travelling to your destination country.

Onward travel

You must have a ticket to leave New Zealand

You must have travel tickets showing your transit through New Zealand to a country have the right to enter.

Partner and dependent children

Your family must meet the requirements for this visa

To bring family, they must:

  • provide proof of their identity
  • be of good character
  • intend to travel to New Zealand only as transit passengers 
  • have tickets to leave New Zealand.
Tips

  1. A family can include yourself, your partner, and dependent children 19 and under.

Process and costs

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.

Notes

We cannot display any process or costs information until you have provided your country details. Enter your country details in the panel above to view information relevant to your situation.

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How to submit

Payment methods and receiving centre details if applicable.

Notes

We cannot display any receiving centre or payment method information until you have provided your country details. Enter your country details in the panel above to view information relevant to your situation.

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Conditions

These are the conditions that you must meet once you have your visa.

Onward travel

You must have a travel ticket to leave New Zealand to a country you have a right to enter.

Notes

  • Unless your visa label or letter states “Return/onward travel not required” you must have a ticket to leave New Zealand whenever you travel here.

Transit area

You must stay in the transit area of Auckland International Airport for the whole time you’re in New Zealand and for not more than 24 hours.

Notes

  • You can’t apply for entry permission or any kind of visa while in transit.

Transit travel

You can pass through New Zealand as a transit passenger up until the date specified in your transit visa.  

Notes

  • You can’t spend more than 24 hours at a time in New Zealand while in transit. You could be prevented from travelling or refused entry permission if your transit is more than 24 hours.