eligible for visa-free travel under other specific provisions (visiting force, cruise ship passengers and crew, aircraft crew, etc.).
A New Zealand general entry stamp issued to a temporary entry class visa holder.A New Zealand Visitor Visa stamp granted on arrival to a visa waiver traveller.A New Zealand Resident Visa stamp granted on arrival under the Trans-Tasman Travel Arrangement on an Australian travel document. These stamps have been discontinued from 19 March 2018.
Both Australian citizens travelling on a Valid Australian Passport and permanent residents of Australia that present a valid Permanent Visa or Resident Return Visa are deemed to hold resident status in New Zealand upon arrival under the Trans-Tasman travel arrangement.
Visitors must hold passports that are valid for at least 3 months beyond the period of intended stay. Visitors are required to hold proof of sufficient funds to cover their stay: NZD 1,000 per person per month of stay or NZD 400 if accommodation has been prepaid. Visitors are required to hold documents required for their next destination.[2]
members of, or any person associated with, a scientific programme or expedition under the auspices of a Contracting Party to the Antarctic Treaty
members of a visiting force (including civilian components) travelling in the ordinary course of their employment or duty.
As of 1 October 2019, a visa waiver applies to, but is not limited to, the following people: [5]
people granted a visa waiver by special direction;
members of a visiting force (including members of the civilian component of the visiting force) as defined in the Visiting Forces Act 2004, but only if:
each person is travelling to New Zealand in the ordinary course of the person's duty or employment;
each person is seeking a temporary entry class visa at an immigration control area;
the craft transporting the visiting force is a commercial craft;
members of, or any person associated with, a scientific programme or expedition under the auspices of a Contracting Party to the Antarctic Treaty (within the meaning of the Antarctica Act 1960) or any person to whom section 5 of that Act applies, but only if:
the person concerned is seeking a temporary entry class visa;
the application is made at an immigration control area;
cruise ship passengers;
cruise ship crew travelling in the ordinary course of business of the ship;
positioning cruise ship crew;
aircraft crew of an aircraft on a flight between any other country and New Zealand in the course of a scheduled international service;
people travelling on a United Nations laissez-passer who are seeking a Visitor Visa current for not more than three months;
any other class of persons specified in the Immigration (Visa, Entry Permission, and Related Matters) Regulations 2010;
citizens of the following countries, but only if the person concerned is seeking a Visitor Visa current for not more than three months and the purposes of the visit is not for medical consultation or treatment:
^Visa waiver does not apply to people travelling on alien's (non-citizen's) passports issued by Estonia and Latvia.
^Only Greek passport holders whose passports were issued on and after 1 January 2006. From 1 January 2007, Greek passports issued before 1 January 2006 are not acceptable for travel to New Zealand.
^Portuguese passport holders must also have the right to live permanently in Portugal.
^Permanent residents of Taiwan travelling on a Taiwan passport. A personal identity number printed within the visible section of the biographical page of the Taiwan passport demonstrates that the holder is a permanent resident of Taiwan.
1 November 1987: Austria, France (New Caledonia and Tahiti residents), Greece, Malaysia, Malta, Portugal,[21] Singapore,[22] Spain and United States (not including Nationals of USA)[23]
New Zealand issues Online Visa for countries, that are not included of visa waiver countries.[50]
Visa types
A specimen of a New Zealand eVisa confirmation letter, for a Visitor Visa.A New Zealand Visitor Visa label in a passport. Such labels are only issued upon request.
Any person who is not a New Zealand citizen may only travel to New Zealand if holding a valid visa or is a person to whom a visa waiver applies.[51]
While there are many different categories of visa, they can be fundamentally broken down into three classes:[52]
Residence class visas allows the holder to work, study and remain in New Zealand indefinitely, and does not expire while the holder remains in New Zealand.[53] Conditions may be placed on a Resident Visa: most commonly, these conditions specify a period of time where one may leave and re-enter New Zealand as a resident, but may also relate to other matters (for example, a migrant applying for residence under the Skilled Migrant Category may have a condition imposed of taking up an offer of skilled employment within 3 months of arrival).[54] It is, however, possible for the holder of a Resident Visa to obtain a Permanent Resident Visa upon meeting all conditions and upon demonstrating a commitment to New Zealand, which allows the holder to work, study and remain in New Zealand unconditionally, as well as leave and re-enter New Zealand at any time, and the Permanent Resident Visa itself never expires.[55][56]
Temporary entry class visas have a set expiry date, and conditions placed upon them based on the category under which the holder applied for a visa. Visas intended for tourism, long-term study or foreign employment in New Zealand are typical examples of a temporary entry class visa.[57]
Transit visas allow the holder to pass through New Zealand on a journey between 2 sovereign states.[58]
Holding a visa, or taking advantage of a visa waiver, does not in itself entitle a person to enter New Zealand itself: it only entitles the person to travel to New Zealand and apply for entry permission.[53][57]
Entry permission to New Zealand must be granted to a person for that person to be able to enter New Zealand; this is typically done by an immigration officer at the border. Refusal of entry permission results in automatic visa cancellation, and the person being made liable for turnaround if the person has arrived at the border.[59]
While most foreign nationals must apply for, and be granted, entry permission at the border, holders of a Permanent Resident Visa, a Resident Visa granted in New Zealand, or a Resident Visa granted outside New Zealand where the holder has previously travelled to New Zealand are granted entry permission as of right.[60]
New Zealand does not stamp passports of New Zealand citizens, residence class visa holders, or Australian citizens and permanent residents.
Holders of a temporary entry class visa, or visa waiver travellers seeking a Visitor Visa on arrival may receive passport stamps if they enter through a staffed immigration counter instead of the automated eGates; however, Immigration New Zealand and the New Zealand Customs Service are investigating the possibility of removing passport stamps entirely.[1]
Transit
A person intending to travel and be in New Zealand as a transit passenger must apply for and obtain a Transit Visa before proceeding to New Zealand, unless this requirement is waived.
Transit facilities are only available at Auckland Airport, and transit passengers must remain in the transit area for the entire period of time in New Zealand and for not longer than 24 hours.
Transit passengers not passing through Auckland Airport, or who must leave the transit area of Auckland Airport, or who will remain in the transit area of Auckland Airport for longer than 24 hours are ineligible to enter New Zealand as a transit passenger and will need to obtain a Visitor Visa if they are not a visa waiver traveller.[61]
Visa waiver transit
As of 20 June 2020, a visa waiver transit applies to, but is not limited to, the following people:[62]
a New Zealand citizen or residence class visa holder; or
the holder of a temporary entry class visa with relevant travel conditions; or
a person to whom a visa waiver applies, but only if they hold a transit or traveller Electronic Travel Authority, or are exempt from holding an Electronic Travel Authority; or
a person whose immediate or final destination after transiting through New Zealand is Australia, but only if they hold a current visa issued by the Government of Australia to enter Australia, and they hold a transit Electronic Travel Authority; or
a person travelling from Australia and holding a transit Electronic Travel Authority; or
a person that the Minister of Immigration has, by special direction, classified as a person to whom a transit visa waiver applies; or
citizens of the following countries; but only if a transit Electronic Travel Authority is held:[63]
The associated states of the Cook Islands and Niue, and the dependent territory of Tokelau, have visa policies separate to that of New Zealand.
Cook Islands
All visitors to the Cook Islands, irrespective of nationality, are visa-exempt for a maximum stay of 31 days. Visitors travelling for tourist purposes may extend their stay, for periods of 31 days, up to a maximum of 6 months.[64]
Niue
Visas are required for all visitors to Niue, except for nationals of New Zealand who are Niueans or descendants of Niueans and nationals of other countries who are bona fide visitors staying 30 days or less. Visitors must have sufficient funds for the length of their stay together with a confirmed reservation for accommodation and those not holding return or onward tickets could be refused entry.
By virtue of the Trans-Tasman Travel Arrangement, Australian citizens and permanent residents are granted a Resident Visa on arrival if they are of good character. This Resident Visa expires when the holder leaves New Zealand; a variation of travel conditions may be sought if the holder later intends to re-enter New Zealand on that same visa.
This then allows the holder's residence in New Zealand to be considered continuous, which is an important factor if the holder intends to later apply for a Permanent Resident Visa or the grant of New Zealand citizenship.[68]
International Visitor Conservation and Tourism Levy
Many tourists, people on working holidays, and some students and workers coming to New Zealand must pay an International Visitor Conservation and Tourism Levy (IVL) of NZD $100.[69]
This fee is payable at the time of applying for a visa or requesting an NZeTA.[70]
Exemptions from the IVL
Australian citizens and residents are exempt from paying the IVL.
The following Pacific Island nations are exempt from paying the IVL:
Additionally, exemptions exist for transit passengers arriving at and leaving from Auckland International Airport, holders of a Business Visitor Visa, and holders of an APEC Business Travel Card. Applicants for specific visas also do not need to pay the IVL.
Unacceptable travel documents
Any travel document issued by the countries or sources listed below are unacceptable for travel to New Zealand, and visas will not be endorsed in them:[71]
Travel documents issued by regimes that the New Zealand Government does not recognise:
All Somali travel documents; there is no authority in Somalia that is recognised by the New Zealand Government as being competent to issue passports on behalf of Somalia
Travel documents that do not meet the requirements of "the definition of passport or certificate of identity" under Section 4 of the Immigration Act 2009:[73]
Holders of passports issued by the following countries who possess an APEC Business Travel Card (ABTC) with the "NZL" code on the reverse that denotes it is valid for travel to New Zealand can enter visa-free for business trips for up to 90 days.[74]
In the early years New Zealand was seen by Europeans as the most remote country on earth. For most Europeans New Zealand was an unappealing prospect, a strange and lonely land reached after 100 days on dangerous seas; its coasts were thought treacherous, its inhabitants bloodthirsty.
Only exceptional reasons led people to set off for such a distant corner of the globe.
Many of New Zealand's early immigrants first spent time in Australia, and most of them were only temporary visitors in search of items to trade.[citation needed]
Among the earliest visitors were sealers, attracted by the promise of high-quality oil, and fur for hats (often sold in China in return for tea). As early as 1792, whalers came to the northern end of the country, also as temporary visitors.
Also missionaries arrived in New Zealand. By 1839 the total non-Māori population was about 2,000.[citation needed]
Until 1839 there were only about 2,000 immigrants in New Zealand; by 1852 there were about 28,000.
The decisive moment for this remarkable change was 1840. In that year, the Treaty of Waitangi was signed. This established British authority in European eyes, and gave British immigrants legal rights as citizens. Most of the people who moved to New Zealand Company settlements were British.[citation needed]
From 1853 to 1870 the non-Māori population of New Zealand rose from just under 30,000 to over 250,000. As with the inflow of the 1840s, there were three main groups – assisted families coming directly from Britain; individuals from across the Tasman Sea looking for a better life; and military settlers.[78]
1881–1914
Restrictions on immigration were first imposed in 1881. Until then, anyone who arrived in New Zealand had been able to remain in the country.
The Chinese Immigrants Act 1881 was the first to restrict the entry of a specific group of people.
The number of Chinese who could arrive on one ship was limited to one for every 10 tons of the vessel's weight. A poll tax of £10 was also imposed on each Chinese person entering the country.
Unlike the Chinese, most Indians were British subjects and free to enter New Zealand until the very end of the 19th century. From 1896, despite objections from the British government, New Zealand tried to pass more comprehensive legislation restricting the immigration not just of the Chinese but also of Indians and other Asians.
The 1899 act prohibited the entry of immigrants who were not of British or Irish parentage and who could not fill in an application form 'in any European language' – which in practice meant English. These rules were in place for the next 20 years. The fear of economic competition was one reason why the entry of Chinese, Indians and other 'race aliens' was restricted.
1914–1945
Under the War Regulations of 1916, during the First World War, no person over the age of 15 could land in New Zealand without a passport or other document establishing his or her nationality or identity.
Under the Undesirable Immigrants Exclusion Act 1919, Germans and Austro-Hungarians were prohibited from entering without a licence issued by the attorney general. The act also gave power to the attorney general to prohibit the entry of any person not resident in New Zealand – including British subjects – who was disaffected or disloyal, or of such a character that his presence would be injurious to the peace, order and good government' of New Zealand.
The Immigration Restriction Amendment Act 1920 was passed primarily to restrict possible Asian immigration, but Asians were not its only targets. It was also used to curb the entry of other non-British people, particularly Southern Europeans such as Dalmatians and Italians.
The 1931 Immigration Restriction Amendment Act, passed during the Depression period of the 1930s, prevented aliens (as non-British immigrants were still known) from Europe entering New Zealand. The only exceptions were if they had guaranteed employment, a considerable amount of capital, or knowledge and skills.
1945–1987
From 1961 only Australians had unrestricted entry to New Zealand. This was a long-standing right, established in 1840 when New Zealand became a British colony like Australia. Reciprocal travel arrangements, beginning in the 1920s, formalised this free movement from one country to the other. In 1973, the Trans-Tasman Travel Arrangement allowed Australian and New Zealand citizens to enter each other's countries to visit, live, work, or remain indefinitely without having to apply for a permit.
Under the 1961 Immigration Amendment Act, British and Irish immigrants, along with other non-New Zealand citizens (except Australians, who could enter freely) were required to have a permit before entering New Zealand. In practice, the permit was only a formality for Britons and Irish; they were issued with permits on arrival. Nevertheless, for the first time, the 1961 act put British and non-British people on the same footing when they sought to enter New Zealand. After the immigration policy review of 1974, British migrants, like all others, were required to obtain a permit before they left their homelands. The British and Irish were now on the same footing as the nationals of other countries.
Between the 1940s and the 1970s, New Zealand concluded visa-free agreements with countries of Western Europe.
1987–2019
Visa policy of New Zealand from 1987 to 2017
New Zealand
Visa free access
On 1 November 1987, the Immigration Act 1987 came into force which changed the selection process for immigrants to one of merit, finalising a shift that had begun in the 1960s away from the emphasis at the time on nationality and ethnic origin as the basis for determining which immigrants were to be admitted. Immigrants were now selected in three categories: skills and business, family and humanitarian.
The skills and business stream was originally based on an occupational priority list, but was replaced with a points system in 1991. The changes led to an increase in migration from non-traditional source countries (in particular from Asian countries), as it was now easier for these people to migrate to New Zealand.[79]
Immigration legislation was later overhauled by the Immigration Act 2009, which came into effect on 29 November 2010. It modernised the earlier 1987 legislation, but did not make major changes to the criteria under which immigrants would apply to travel to and stay in New Zealand.[80]
From 1987, visa-free access was provided to more countries, most notably Eastern European countries as they became members of the European Union. At the same time, illegal immigration saw the visa-free access of many Pacific and African nations being revoked.
The most recent amendment was made on 17 October 2016, which granted visa-free access for citizens of Mauritius and Seychelles, and revoked visa-free access for citizens of South Africa.[81]
The Trans-Tasman Travel Arrangement (TTTA) is an arrangement between Australia and New Zealand which allows for the free movement of citizens of one of these countries to the other. The arrangement came into effect in 1973, and allows citizens of each country to reside and work in the other country indefinitely, with some restrictions. Other details of the arrangement have varied over time. From 1 July 1981, all people entering Australia have been required to carry a passport. Since 1 September 1994, Australia has had a universal visa requirement, and to specifically cater for the continued free movement of New Zealanders to Australia the Special Category Visa was introduced for New Zealanders.
The visa policy of Australia deals with the requirements that a foreign national wishing to enter Australia must meet to obtain a visa, which is a permit to travel, to enter and remain in the country. A visa may also entitle the visa holder to other privileges, such as a right to work, study, etc. and may be subject to conditions.
Visitors to the United States must obtain a visa from one of the U.S. diplomatic missions unless they are citizens of one of the visa-exempt or Visa Waiver Program countries.
The visa policy of the Schengen Area is a component within the wider area of freedom, security and justice policy of the European Union. It applies to the Schengen Area and to other EU member states except Ireland. The visa policy allows nationals of certain countries to enter the Schengen Area via air, land or sea without a visa for up to 90 days within any 180-day period. Nationals of certain other countries are required to have a visa to enter and, in some cases, transit through the Schengen area.
Visa requirements for Polish citizens are public health and administrative entry restrictions by the authorities of other states placed on citizens of Poland.
The visa policy of Canada requires that any foreign citizen wishing to enter Canada must obtain a temporary resident visa from one of the Canadian diplomatic missions unless they hold a passport issued by one of the 53 eligible visa-exempt countries and territories or proof of permanent residence in Canada or the United States.
Visa requirements for Romanian citizens are the administrative entry restrictions by the authorities of other territories affecting citizens of Romania. As of July 2024, Romanian citizens had visa-free or visa on arrival access to 177 countries and territories, ranking the Romanian passport 14th in terms of travel freedom, according to the Henley Passport Index.
Visa requirements for Croatian citizens are administrative entry restrictions by the authorities of other states placed on citizens of Croatia.
Visa requirements for Emirati citizens are administrative entry restrictions by the authorities of other states placed on citizens of the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
Visa requirements for Australian passport holders are administrative entry restrictions by the authorities of other states placed on citizens of Australia entering with an Australian passport.
Visa requirements for Czech citizens are administrative entry restrictions by the authorities of other states placed on citizens of the Czech Republic.
As of 2024, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region passport holders have visa-free or visa on arrival access to 170 countries and territories, ranking the passport 18th in the world according to the Henley Passport Index.It is ranked 16th by the Global Passport Power Rank.
Visa requirements for Lithuanian citizens are administrative entry restrictions imposed on citizens of Lithuania by the authorities of other states. As of 23 July 2024 Lithuanian citizens had visa-free or visa on arrival access to 185 countries and territories, ranking the Lithuanian passport 9th, tied with Estonian passport and Emirati passport in terms of travel freedom according to the Henley Passport Index.
The visa policy of the Philippines is governed by Commonwealth Act No. 613, also known as the Philippine Immigration Act, and by subsequent legislation amending it.
The visa policy of South Africa is how the South African government determines who may and may not enter South Africa. Visitors to South Africa must obtain a visa from one of the South African diplomatic missions unless they come from one of the visa-exempt countries, in which case they get a "Port of Entry Visa". Visitors who require a visa must apply in person and provide biometric data.
The visa policy of the United Kingdom is the policy by which His Majesty's Government determines visa requirements for visitors to the United Kingdom and those seeking to work, study or reside there. The visa policy of the UK also applies to the Crown dependencies of Guernsey, Jersey and the Isle of Man, which each operate their own immigration enforcement and have separate work permit systems. The visa policy does not apply to any of the British Overseas Territories, who generally apply their own visa policies.
The visa policy of Ireland is set by the Government of Ireland and determines visa requirements for foreign citizens. If someone other than a European Union, European Economic Area, Common Travel Area or Swiss citizen seeks entry to Ireland, they must be a national of a visa-exempt country or have a valid Irish visa issued by one of the Irish diplomatic missions around the world.
Visitors to Tanzania must obtain either a visa on arrival or an e-Visa unless they are citizens of one of the visa-exempt countries or citizens who must obtain a visa from one of the Tanzanian diplomatic missions.
Visa requirements for German citizens are administrative entry restrictions by the authorities of other states placed on citizens of Germany.
An electronic visa (E-Visa) and an electronic travel authorization are digital travel permits commonly required in conjunction with a valid passport for entry into specific jurisdictions. These electronic travel documents have gained prominence in the modern era of digital connectivity and streamlined travel processes.
↑ "Glossary: Section 49 conditions". immigration.govt.nz. Immigration New Zealand. Archived from the original on 29 April 2020. Retrieved 21 May 2020. Sometimes visas are subject to extra conditions under section 49(1) of the Immigration Act 2009. We call these section 49 conditions. For example, if you're granted residence under the Skilled Migrant Category a section 49 condition could be that you take up an offer of skilled employment within 3 months of arriving in New Zealand.
↑ "Information about: Transit Visa". immigration.govt.nz. Immigration New Zealand. Archived from the original on 29 January 2021. Retrieved 5 February 2021. 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.
↑ "Information about: Australian Resident Visa". immigration.govt.nz. Immigration New Zealand. Archived from the original on 4 February 2020. Retrieved 21 May 2020. Australian citizens and permanent residents can visit, work and live in New Zealand. You do not need a visa before you travel to New Zealand.
↑ Taonga, New Zealand Ministry for Culture and Heritage Te Manatu. "Te Ara The Encyclopedia of New Zealand". www.teara.govt.nz. Archived from the original on 12 September 2019. Retrieved 11 April 2018.
1British Overseas Territories. 2 These countries span the conventional boundary between Europe and Asia. 3 Partially recognized. 4Unincorporated territory of the United States. 5 Part of the Kingdom of Denmark. 6Egypt spans the boundary between Africa and Asia.
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