You may need a visa or an NZeTA to visit New Zealand, depending on your passport, citizenship and travel plans. Many visa-waiver travellers need an NZeTA before travel, while others must apply for a Visitor Visa before they leave home.
Visa and entry requirements are personal to each traveller, so don’t rely only on your tour booking to determine what you need. Your passport nationality, residency status, transit route, length of stay and reason for travel can all affect the correct requirement.
Visitor entry requirements
Many short-stay holiday visitors from visa-waiver countries can travel with an NZeTA before arriving in New Zealand. The NZeTA is not the same as a Visitor Visa, but it allows eligible travellers to travel to New Zealand and seek entry on arrival.
Travellers who are not eligible for visa-waiver travel usually need to apply for a Visitor Visa before travelling to New Zealand. Australian citizens travelling on an Australian passport generally do not need a Visitor Visa or an NZeTA.
If you’re joining a New Zealand tour after visiting another country, check the rules for every passport holder in your booking. A couple travelling together may have different requirements if they hold different passports.
International Visitor Conservation and Tourism Levy
Many visitors also need to pay the International Visitor Conservation and Tourism Levy, often called the IVL. This is usually paid when applying for an NZeTA or an eligible visa, but exemptions apply.
Because visa rules and fees can change, check your entry requirements before paying your tour deposit and again before travel. This is especially important if your passport will expire soon, your trip includes a transit stop, or you’re travelling for a purpose other than a holiday.
What to check before booking
Before confirming your tour, check:
- Whether your passport requires an NZeTA, Visitor Visa or neither.
- Whether you need to pay the IVL.
- How long your passport must be valid after your planned stay.
- Whether your transit route creates extra entry or transit requirements.
- Whether processing times allow enough time before departure.
Your tour consultant can help with general travel planning, but visa decisions sit with the relevant authorities. Apply early, use the official application channels, and make sure the name on your travel documents matches your tour and flight bookings.