Transiting through New Zealand to another country
Check if you need a transit visa or a New Zealand Electronic Travel Authority (NZeTA) to pass through New Zealand to another country.
Warning
You must make sure you can pass through New Zealand and enter another country on your journey. If you cannot do this, you may not be allowed to board the plane.
Transit passengers
You are a transit passenger if you are passing through Auckland International Airport on your way to another country, and:
- for the whole time you stay in the transit area at Auckland Airport, on board the plane you came to New Zealand on, or in the custody of New Zealand Police, and
- stay for less than 24 hours.
You will usually need a Transit Visa or an NZeTA that lets you transit — you cannot enter New Zealand.
Check if you need an NZeTA or visa
There is no accommodation in the transit area. If you need accommodation while you wait for your flight, you must get a Visitor Visa to enter New Zealand.
Note
You are not a transit passenger if you are passing through a New Zealand airport that is not Auckland International Airport. This is because there is no transit area at other airports.
Do not collect your baggage
As a transit passenger you cannot collect your bags at Auckland International Airport. When you check in for your flight to New Zealand, ask the airline to transfer your bags to your connecting flight. If they cannot do this, go to the International Transit Desk when you arrive in New Zealand to get your bags transferred.
Travellers who do not need a visa or NZeTA
You do not need a visa or NZeTA to pass through any New Zealand airport, if you:
- are a New Zealand citizen or permanent resident
- are travelling on an Australian passport, or
- are on the list of travellers who do not need an NZeTA.
To travel to New Zealand, you must have either a valid New Zealand visa or an NZeTA — but some people, including Australian citizens, do not need a visa or an NZeTA. You do not need an NZeTA if you: A New Zealand citizen endorsement is a label in your foreign passport or an electronic record linked to that passport's number. If you travel to another country, it lets you return to New Zealand on your foreign passport. To apply for an endorsement you must be a New Zealand citizen.
Travellers who do not need an NZeTA
Some travellers, including people with a New Zealand visa, do not need a New Zealand Electronic Travel Authority (NZeTA) before they travel to New Zealand.
Who does not need an NZeTA
If you need a New Zealand citizen endorsement
Note
If you already have a valid New Zealand visa, you do not need an NZeTA.
Australian citizens still need to meet our character requirements. You will need to declare any convictions where you were sentenced to prison for 12 months or more.
Anyone applying for a New Zealand visa must meet the character requirements. When you apply, you must tell us about any issues or activities, both current and in your past, that could affect our decision, including whether you have been: If there is an issue, we may: You can request a character waiver or special direction when you apply. If your request is approved, we can give you a visa if your application meets all other requirements. Visas are given by special direction only in rare circumstances. You may need to provide us with police certificates to show your good character. Whether you need to give these certificates depends on how long you plan to stay in New Zealand and the visa you are applying for.
Character requirements for New Zealand visas
To be given a New Zealand visa, you must be of good character. If you have a criminal history, have provided false or misleading information, or could be a risk to New Zealand, we can decline your application.
Being of good character
Providing police certificates
- a current Australian Permanent Resident Visa or Australian Resident Return Visa in the passport you are travelling on — these cannot be 'provisional' visas, and
- travel conditions on that visa to let you return to Australia.
- have a valid visa for New Zealand — this can be a work, student, visitor, resident or permanent resident visa
- are travelling on an Australian passport, New Zealand passport or a foreign passport that has a New Zealand citizen endorsement
- are a member of, or someone associated with, a scientific programme or expedition under the Contracting Party to the Antarctic Treaty — you may need evidence to support this, or
- are a member of a visiting force, including one of its civilian employees, travelling in the ordinary course of your employment or duty — you may need evidence to support this.
- can be any nationality, and
- must have a current visa from the government of Australia to enter Australia.
- have a valid visa for New Zealand — this can be a work, student, visitor, resident or permanent resident visa
- are travelling on an Australian passport, New Zealand passport or a foreign passport that has a New Zealand citizen endorsement
- are a member of, or someone associated with, a scientific programme or expedition under the Contracting Party to the Antarctic Treaty — you may need evidence to support this, or
- are a member of a visiting force, including one of its civilian employees, travelling in the ordinary course of your employment or duty — you may need evidence to support this.
-
- an NZeTA that lets you transit through Auckland International Airport, and
- a current visa from the government of Australia that lets you enter Australia.
- travelling from Australia — you can be any nationality, and includes people who began their journey outside Australia, and
- not on the list of travellers who do not need an NZeTA.
- have a valid visa for New Zealand — this can be a work, student, visitor, resident or permanent resident visa
- are travelling on an Australian passport, New Zealand passport or a foreign passport that has a New Zealand citizen endorsement
- are a member of, or someone associated with, a scientific programme or expedition under the Contracting Party to the Antarctic Treaty — you may need evidence to support this, or
- are a member of a visiting force, including one of its civilian employees, travelling in the ordinary course of your employment or duty — you may need evidence to support this.
- have a valid visa for New Zealand — this can be a work, student, visitor, resident or permanent resident visa
- are travelling on an Australian passport, New Zealand passport or a foreign passport that has a New Zealand citizen endorsement
- are a member of, or someone associated with, a scientific programme or expedition under the Contracting Party to the Antarctic Treaty — you may need evidence to support this, or
- are a member of a visiting force, including one of its civilian employees, travelling in the ordinary course of your employment or duty — you may need evidence to support this.
- Andorra
- Argentina
- Austria
- Bahrain
- Belgium
- Brazil
- Brunei
- Bulgaria
- Canada
- Chile
- Croatia
- Cyprus
- Czech
- Republic
- Denmark
- Estonia (citizens only)
- Finland
- France
- Germany
- Greece
- Hong Kong (residents travelling on HKSAR or British National–Overseas passports only)
- Hungary
- Iceland
- Ireland
- Israel
- Italy
- Japan
- Korea
- South Kuwait
- Latvia (citizens only)
- Liechtenstein
- Lithuania (citizens only)
- Luxembourg
- Macao (residents travelling on Macao Special Administrative Region passports)
- Malaysia
- Malta
- Mauritius
- Mexico
- Monaco
- Netherlands
- Norway
- Oman
- Poland
- Portugal (passport holders who also have the right to live permanently in Portugal)
- Qatar
- Romania
- San Marino
- Saudi Arabia
- Seychelles
- Singapore
- Slovak Republic
- Slovenia
- Spain
- Sweden
- Switzerland
- Taiwan (permanent residents travelling on Taiwan passports)
- United Arab Emirates
- United Kingdom (UK) (citizens and other British passport holders who have the right to reside permanently in the UK)
- United States of America (USA) (including USA nationals)
- Uruguay
- Vatican City
- passport
- NZeTA confirmation letter, and
- completed New Zealand Traveller Declaration (NZTD) — as part of your declaration, you apply for this visa on entry and for entry permission.
- return tickets
- evidence of enough money for their stay in New Zealand.
- are not a New Zealand citizen or permanent resident
- do not have a valid New Zealand visa
- are not an Australian citizen or permanent resident
- are not travelling on a passport from a transit visa waiver country, or a visa waiver country
- are not travelling to or from Australia, and
- are not on the list of travellers who do not need an NZeTA.
- have a valid visa for New Zealand — this can be a work, student, visitor, resident or permanent resident visa
- are travelling on an Australian passport, New Zealand passport or a foreign passport that has a New Zealand citizen endorsement
- are a member of, or someone associated with, a scientific programme or expedition under the Contracting Party to the Antarctic Treaty — you may need evidence to support this, or
- are a member of a visiting force, including one of its civilian employees, travelling in the ordinary course of your employment or duty — you may need evidence to support this.
- Andorra
- Argentina
- Austria
- Bahrain
- Belgium
- Brazil
- Brunei
- Bulgaria
- Canada
- Chile
- Croatia
- Cyprus
- Czech
- Republic
- Denmark
- Estonia (citizens only)
- Finland
- France
- Germany
- Greece
- Hong Kong (residents travelling on HKSAR or British National–Overseas passports only)
- Hungary
- Iceland
- Ireland
- Israel
- Italy
- Japan
- Korea
- South Kuwait
- Latvia (citizens only)
- Liechtenstein
- Lithuania (citizens only)
- Luxembourg
- Macao (residents travelling on Macao Special Administrative Region passports)
- Malaysia
- Malta
- Mauritius
- Mexico
- Monaco
- Netherlands
- Norway
- Oman
- Poland
- Portugal (passport holders who also have the right to live permanently in Portugal)
- Qatar
- Romania
- San Marino
- Saudi Arabia
- Seychelles
- Singapore
- Slovak Republic
- Slovenia
- Spain
- Sweden
- Switzerland
- Taiwan (permanent residents travelling on Taiwan passports)
- United Arab Emirates
- United Kingdom (UK) (citizens and other British passport holders who have the right to reside permanently in the UK)
- United States of America (USA) (including USA nationals)
- Uruguay
- Vatican City
- passport
- NZeTA confirmation letter, and
- completed New Zealand Traveller Declaration (NZTD) — as part of your declaration, you apply for this visa on entry and for entry permission.
- return tickets
- evidence of enough money for their stay in New Zealand.
You need an NZeTA to transit through Auckland International Airport — unless you are on the list of travellers who do not need an NZeTA
You must provide evidence at check-in that you have:
To travel to New Zealand, you must have either a valid New Zealand visa or an NZeTA — but some people, including Australian citizens, do not need a visa or an NZeTA. You do not need an NZeTA if you: A New Zealand citizen endorsement is a label in your foreign passport or an electronic record linked to that passport's number. If you travel to another country, it lets you return to New Zealand on your foreign passport. To apply for an endorsement you must be a New Zealand citizen.
Travellers who do not need an NZeTA
Some travellers, including people with a New Zealand visa, do not need a New Zealand Electronic Travel Authority (NZeTA) before they travel to New Zealand.
Who does not need an NZeTA
If you need a New Zealand citizen endorsement
You need an NZeTA to transit through Auckland International Airport to Australia — unless you are on the list of travellers who do not need an NZeTA.
To transit through Auckland International Airport to Australia with an NZeTA, you:
To travel to New Zealand, you must have either a valid New Zealand visa or an NZeTA — but some people, including Australian citizens, do not need a visa or an NZeTA. You do not need an NZeTA if you: A New Zealand citizen endorsement is a label in your foreign passport or an electronic record linked to that passport's number. If you travel to another country, it lets you return to New Zealand on your foreign passport. To apply for an endorsement you must be a New Zealand citizen.
Travellers who do not need an NZeTA
Some travellers, including people with a New Zealand visa, do not need a New Zealand Electronic Travel Authority (NZeTA) before they travel to New Zealand.
Who does not need an NZeTA
If you need a New Zealand citizen endorsement
Example
You are travelling on a passport from Canada. You intend to visit Chile, then spend time in Australia.
Your flight from Chile to Australia will pass through Auckland International Airport, where you will be a transit passenger. You are not on the list of travellers who do not need an NZeTA.
You must have:
You need an NZeTA to transit through Auckland International Airport if you are:
To travel to New Zealand, you must have either a valid New Zealand visa or an NZeTA — but some people, including Australian citizens, do not need a visa or an NZeTA. You do not need an NZeTA if you: A New Zealand citizen endorsement is a label in your foreign passport or an electronic record linked to that passport's number. If you travel to another country, it lets you return to New Zealand on your foreign passport. To apply for an endorsement you must be a New Zealand citizen.
Travellers who do not need an NZeTA
Some travellers, including people with a New Zealand visa, do not need a New Zealand Electronic Travel Authority (NZeTA) before they travel to New Zealand.
Who does not need an NZeTA
If you need a New Zealand citizen endorsement
Example
You are travelling on a passport from China. You intend to visit Malaysia, then Australia, before visiting Samoa.
Your flight from Australia to Samoa will pass through Auckland International Airport, where you will be a transit passenger. You are not on the list of travellers who do not need an NZeTA.
This means you must have an NZeTA that lets your transit through Auckland International Airport.
You need an NZeTA to transit through Auckland International Airport if you are travelling on a passport from a visa waiver country or transit visa waiver country — unless you are on the list of travellers who do not need an NZeTA.
To travel to New Zealand, you must have either a valid New Zealand visa or an NZeTA — but some people, including Australian citizens, do not need a visa or an NZeTA. You do not need an NZeTA if you: A New Zealand citizen endorsement is a label in your foreign passport or an electronic record linked to that passport's number. If you travel to another country, it lets you return to New Zealand on your foreign passport. To apply for an endorsement you must be a New Zealand citizen.
Travellers who do not need an NZeTA
Some travellers, including people with a New Zealand visa, do not need a New Zealand Electronic Travel Authority (NZeTA) before they travel to New Zealand.
Who does not need an NZeTA
If you need a New Zealand citizen endorsement
Most people travelling to New Zealand need to get either a visa or a New Zealand Electronic Travel Authority (NZeTA). If you are travelling on a passport from a
New Zealand Electronic Travel Authority (NZeTA) Visitors who do not need an NZeTA You can holiday for up to 3 months, or up to 6 months if you are travelling on a UK passport. If you want to study, work or live in New Zealand, you need to get an appropriate visa. If you are coming to New Zealand for a medical consultation or treatment, you must apply for a visa. If you need an NZeTA, you must have it before you arrive in New Zealand. When you arrive at the border with your NZeTA, we give you a visitor visa on arrival — but first we will need to see your: We may also ask to see your ticket for travel out of New Zealand, and evidence you have enough money to live on while you are in New Zealand. Warning If you cannot meet any of the requirements or you want to stay longer, you should apply for a visitor visa before you travel, as you may not be allowed to enter with a visa waiver, even if you have an NZeTA. If the passport issuing authority of your country has endorsed your dependent children on your passport, we will accept your endorsed passport as their travel document. When you arrive in New Zealand, your dependent children will still need to complete an NZTD and may need to show:
Visa waiver countries and territories
If you have a passport from a country or territory on the visa waiver list, you can travel to New Zealand without a visa - but you need to get a New Zealand Electronic Travel Authority (NZeTA) first.
List of visa waiver countries and territories
Visiting New Zealand from a visa waiver country
When you need a visa
When you arrive in New Zealand
If you have dependent children endorsed on your passport
If you are passing through (transiting) Auckland International Airport on your way to another country, you do not need a Transit Visa if you are from a transit visa waiver country or territory. You must, however, get a New Zealand Electronic Travel Authority (NZeTA) before you travel. If you are not from a transit visa waiver country, you may need a Transit Visa. Note You are not a transit passenger if you are passing through another New Zealand airport, not Auckland International Airport. This is because there is no transit area at other airports. You will usually need a Visitor Visa or an NZeTA that lets you enter New Zealand. Transiting through New Zealand to another country Check if you need an NZeTA or visa Bahamas Bermuda Bolivia Colombia Costa Rica Ecuador Federated States of Micronesia Fiji Indonesia Kiribati Nauru Palau Panama Papua New Guinea Paraguay Peru Philippines Republic of Marshall Islands Samoa Solomon Islands Thailand Tonga Tuvalu Vanuatu Venezuela
Transit visa waiver countries and territories
Citizens of some countries and territories do not have to apply for a visa before transiting Auckland International Airport. They must request a New Zealand Electronic Travel Authority (NZeTA) instead.
Transiting through Auckland International Airport
List of transit visa waiver countries and territories
You need a Transit Visa if you cannot apply for an NZeTA.
This means you must have a Transit Visa before you arrive, if you:
To travel to New Zealand, you must have either a valid New Zealand visa or an NZeTA — but some people, including Australian citizens, do not need a visa or an NZeTA. You do not need an NZeTA if you: A New Zealand citizen endorsement is a label in your foreign passport or an electronic record linked to that passport's number. If you travel to another country, it lets you return to New Zealand on your foreign passport. To apply for an endorsement you must be a New Zealand citizen.
Travellers who do not need an NZeTA
Some travellers, including people with a New Zealand visa, do not need a New Zealand Electronic Travel Authority (NZeTA) before they travel to New Zealand.
Who does not need an NZeTA
If you need a New Zealand citizen endorsement
Most people travelling to New Zealand need to get either a visa or a New Zealand Electronic Travel Authority (NZeTA). If you are travelling on a passport from a
New Zealand Electronic Travel Authority (NZeTA) Visitors who do not need an NZeTA You can holiday for up to 3 months, or up to 6 months if you are travelling on a UK passport. If you want to study, work or live in New Zealand, you need to get an appropriate visa. If you are coming to New Zealand for a medical consultation or treatment, you must apply for a visa. If you need an NZeTA, you must have it before you arrive in New Zealand. When you arrive at the border with your NZeTA, we give you a visitor visa on arrival — but first we will need to see your: We may also ask to see your ticket for travel out of New Zealand, and evidence you have enough money to live on while you are in New Zealand. Warning If you cannot meet any of the requirements or you want to stay longer, you should apply for a visitor visa before you travel, as you may not be allowed to enter with a visa waiver, even if you have an NZeTA. If the passport issuing authority of your country has endorsed your dependent children on your passport, we will accept your endorsed passport as their travel document. When you arrive in New Zealand, your dependent children will still need to complete an NZTD and may need to show:
Visa waiver countries and territories
If you have a passport from a country or territory on the visa waiver list, you can travel to New Zealand without a visa - but you need to get a New Zealand Electronic Travel Authority (NZeTA) first.
List of visa waiver countries and territories
Visiting New Zealand from a visa waiver country
When you need a visa
When you arrive in New Zealand
If you have dependent children endorsed on your passport
If you are passing through (transiting) Auckland International Airport on your way to another country, you do not need a Transit Visa if you are from a transit visa waiver country or territory. You must, however, get a New Zealand Electronic Travel Authority (NZeTA) before you travel. If you are not from a transit visa waiver country, you may need a Transit Visa. Note You are not a transit passenger if you are passing through another New Zealand airport, not Auckland International Airport. This is because there is no transit area at other airports. You will usually need a Visitor Visa or an NZeTA that lets you enter New Zealand. Transiting through New Zealand to another country Check if you need an NZeTA or visa Bahamas Bermuda Bolivia Colombia Costa Rica Ecuador Federated States of Micronesia Fiji Indonesia Kiribati Nauru Palau Panama Papua New Guinea Paraguay Peru Philippines Republic of Marshall Islands Samoa Solomon Islands Thailand Tonga Tuvalu Vanuatu Venezuela
Transit visa waiver countries and territories
Citizens of some countries and territories do not have to apply for a visa before transiting Auckland International Airport. They must request a New Zealand Electronic Travel Authority (NZeTA) instead.
Transiting through Auckland International Airport
List of transit visa waiver countries and territories
Apply for an NZeTA
Find out how to apply for an NZeTA.
Apply for a Transit Visa
Find out how to apply for a Transit Visa.