New Zealand Visitor Information
If you want to visit the beautiful locations of New Zealand, then there are many hassle-free ways to plan your trip to the country. You can explore your dream locations like Auckland, Queenstown, Wellington and plenty of other gorgeous cities and places within New Zealand.
With an electronic travel authorisation or eTA for New Zealand travellers can now visit New Zealand for a period of 90 days for travel or business-related purposes.
New Zealand eTA or Online New Zealand Visa is a hassle free or in a way a visa-free way to visit New Zealand.
NZeTA application is an all-online process which lets the e-visa request get processed within 1 to 2 business days.
A travel authorisation to New Zealand would help you visit any city of the country. New Zealand Visa (NZeTA)
New Zealand eTA Application Form now allows visitors from all nationalities to obtain New Zealand eTA (NZETA) by email without visiting New Zealand Embassy. New Zealand Visa application process is automated, simple, and completely online. New Zealand Immigration now officially recommends Online New Zealand Visa or New Zealand ETA online rather than sending paper documents. You can obtain New Zealand eTA by filling out a form on this website and making the payment using a Debit or Credit Card. You will also require a valid email id as New Zealand eTA information will be sent to your email id. You do not need visit an embassy or consulate or to send your passport for Visa stamping.
Which New Zealand Cities You Can Visit with New Zealand eTA?
Your NZeTA would allow you to visit New Zealand for all its 16 cities/urban areas spread across the North and South Island of the country.
The following are the areas you can visit with an eTA for New Zealand:
- Whangarei
- Auckland
- Tauranga
- Hamilton
- Rotorua
- Gisborne
- New Plymouth
- Napier
- Whanganui
- Palmerston North
- Wellington
- Nelson
- Christchurch
- Queenstown
- Dunedin
- Invercargill
Best of New Zealand: Your Guide to Explore Top Cities of New Zealand
As a traveller, you must have heard of many enchanting tales about exploring New Zealand, and now it is time to start your own memorable journey to this gorgeously gifted place on the planet.
One of the most unique features of New Zealand is its perfect blend of vibrant city life against the backdrop of refreshing natural scenery.
Begin your journey to Aotearoa or the land of a long white cloud; as the country was traditionally called, and you will have many more unique destinations, spectacular visuals to add to your list of travel memories.
Wellington
Explore the world’s best combination of urban life amidst gorgeous natural scenery in Wellington as you travel through its numerous cafés, top restaurants and countryside views; all found in one great urban city.
The acclaimed Hannahs Laneway is known as the world’s best foodie street and no doubt that this street is Wellington’s top attraction.
Also known as Leeds Street, be ready to find food here in the most creative and sophisticated way, making for a great culinary experience.
Located by the Cook Strait, this city also has many spectacular outdoor experiences to offer besides the vibrant urban setting.
Wildlife sanctuaries, cable car rides, waterfront walkways and protected natural areas are all part of Wellington’s great outdoor experiences.
Auckland
Known as the most livable city in the world, Auckland is usually among the top priorities of New Zealanders to get permanent residence in the city.
The best part about Auckland is its close proximity to excellent natural environment, sandy beaches, gulf Islands Auckland is also New Zealand’s most diverse city given that people from different parts of the world have come to settle in this gorgeous city.
Queenstown
For a thrilling trip to New Zealand, the resort city of Queenstown is a must visit location.
Here you will find world’s best adventure sports and activities, where a range of outdoor adventures will add more memories to your New Zealand trip.
Besides, the Southern Alps, vineyards and mining towns add more to the list of amazing ways to explore Queenstown.
Rotorua
If the Hobbiton movie set location is something that first drew your attention to New Zealand then Rotorua is the city you would first want to visit on your trip to the country.
Many popular locations in New Zealand, like the magical Waitomo Glowworm caves and many more are just a short distance from Rotorua, making this city one of the must visit places for foreign travellers.
The city’s Maori culture, unique volcanic landscapes and geothermal pools make Rotorua one of the never seen before places of the world.
Christchurch
The largest city on New Zealand’s South Island, Christchurch is also called the most English city of New Zealand given its architectural setting.
Acting as a base for exploring the South Island of the country, the city has everything to offer, from spectacular Southern Alps, exhilarating retreats and the unforgettable views of the Canterbury Plains, all of which make this city one of the most unique destinations of the world.
Requirements for Online New Zealand Visa Application Form
Applying for Online New Zealand Visa is an easy application process. All you need is a few minutes to fill the eTA application form.
The New Zealand eTA application form is a quick application process, but you must know the accurate list of documents which are needed to fill the NZeTA application.
You must need the following documents to fill New Zealand eTA application form:
- A valid passport with expiry extending upto 3 months from the date departure from New Zealand.
- If you are a passport holder with Australian citizenship then you can travel with your Australian passport without needing to apply for NZeTA. Australian citizens are automatically granted residency status on arrival to New Zealand.
- A valid email address where all your information regarding eTA application processing and other details will be conveyed by e-visa issuing authority.
- You must kep checking your email so that in case any correction is needed in your application form you could be contacted through officials.
- Applicants will need to pay through a debit or credit card. At the payments sections an applicant for NZeTA is charged the basic application fee as well as the IVL payment.
NZeTA to Explore Cities of New Zealand
NZeTA or New Zealand eTA allows passengers to enter New Zealand for upto 90 days for the purpose of tourism or business trips.
However, once inside the country, foreign visitors will not be asked to show NZeTA while travelling to places within New Zealand.
NZeTA acts as an authorisation to visit New Zealand for foreign citizens and can be used to visit any city of New Zealand for tourism or other specific purposes.
If you are travelling from one city to another within New Zealand, then you do not need to present an eTA while travelling domestically within New Zealand.
What to Carry for Domestic Travel in New Zealand?
While travelling domestically within New Zealand passengers do not need to present an eTA or NZeTA in cities of New Zealand.
ETA acts as an international travel authorisation and those who have once entered New Zealand with an eTA do not need to present any proof of authorisation once entering New Zealand.
While travelling from the North Island area of New Zealand to the South Island foreign passengers do not need to present an eTA.
This is a general condition; however you must keep your approved NZeTA along with you while travelling within New Zealand.
Besides, foreign passengers may need other documents to travel domestically in New Zealand. You must check with your airline for other documents needed by international passengers to travel within New Zealand.
Ways to Reach New Zealand
Major cities in New Zealand are well connected by ports and airports to many countries around the world.
If you are travelling from some major metropolitan city of the world then it is easy to find direct flights to important cities of New Zealand like Auckland, Christchurch, Wellington, etc.
You can reach New Zealand either via:
- Air, or
- Cruise Ship
Depending on the time and duration planned for your journey, you have the option of choosing the most suitable means of travel.
Major Airports in New Zealand
Major cities in New Zealand are connected to major airports of New Zealand. If you are a international passenger arriving at New Zealand, you can arrive via following airports:
- Auckland International Airport/AKL
- Christchurch Airport /CHC
- Dunedin Airport/DUD
- Queenstown Airport/ZQN
- Rotorua Airport/ROT
- Wellington Airport/WLG
Auckland International Airport is New Zealand’s busiest international airport connected via direct flights to many major international cities around the world.
At the time of your arrival in New Zealand you need to carry all necessary documents including an approved NZeTA to be presented to security officials.
Major Cruise Ports in New Zealand
You can travel to New Zealand with cruise ships from many locations in other countries.
Many cities of New Zealand are connected via cruise ports:
- Auckland
- Christchurch
- Dunedin
- Napier
- Tauranga
- Wellington
- Bay of Islands
- Fiordland
All cruise passengers must present approved NZeTA at the point of arrival along with other necessary documents.
Benefits of Travelling with NZeTA
NZeTA allows visitors to travel within New Zealand in a visa free way, where a lot of your time from visiting any office or embassy would be saved.
An eTA for New Zealand can be used for various purposes from tourism to specific visits like short courses or business trips.
You can use you NZeTA for following purposes
Tourism
All visitors with New Zealand eTA can travel within New Zealand for a period of 90 days. A travel authorisation like eTA also allows visitors to travel for other specific purposes like short term study course, friends/family meeting, sightseeing, given that all these fall under the eligibility for NZeTA.
Business Trips
Apart from tourism New Zealand eTA can also be used for business trips, meetings or conferences allowing visitors to stay within the country upto 3 months.
Transit
You can use your travel authorization also as a transit e-visa while transiting through any major city of New Zealand to a third country. However, as a transit passenger you must remain within the international transit area of the respective airport.
International visitors to New Zealand can use their NZeTA for business, travel or transit related purposes.
An e-visa holder need not apply for a different NZeTA for using it for any of the above three purposes as a single approved eTA for New Zealand acts as an authorisation to visit the country for the above listed purpose.
How Long will your NZeTA Remain Valid?
NZeTA as a travel authorisation allows foreign visitors to stay within New Zealand up to 90 days or 3 months.
Depending on the visitor’s nationality NZeTA can remain valid upto 6 months in case UK citizens travelling to New Zealand.
New Zealand eTA in general remains valid upto 90 days or upto the date of expiry of passport; whichever is earlier.
An eTA only acts as a travel authorization to visit New Zealand and not a guarantee to enter a country.
Any suspicious behaviour of the passenger or non-disclosure of any past criminal activity may result in avoiding the passenger to enter the country at the point of arrival.
READ MORE:
If your travel goals of 2023 include visiting New Zealand on your next trip then read along to explore the best ways to travel across the naturally gifted landscapes of this country. Learn more at Visitor Visa Tips for New Zealand.