The New Zealand Government officially announced imposing mandatory Electronic Travel Authorization (ETAs) from 1 October 2019 for all air and cruise travelers arriving from visa waiver countries. The NZ government is imposing ETA to improve security and reduce immigration risks.
ETA is not a visa, the system works similar to ETA (US) and eTA (Canada) and ETIAS (EU imposing 2021)
Effective from July 2019 travelers will be able to request an ETA to visit New Zealand.
ETA is issued for maximum 2 years and will cost NZD $9 (mobile app) and NZD 12 (web based)
Passengers from a visa waiver country or a transit visa waiver country, who are transiting through New Zealand, are also required to hold an ETA from 1 October 2019, even if New Zealand is not their final destination.
Australian citizens will be exempt, but Australian permanent residents will need to hold an ETA but will not be required to pay for an International Visitor Conservation and Tourism Levy (IVL) which will cost NZ$35.
ETA will not apply to New zealand citizens or visa or residence permit holders.
All airline crew and cruise line crew will need to hold a Crew ETA before traveling to New Zealand. A Crew ETA will last up to 5 years and cost NZD $9.00.
Exemptions:
- crew and passengers on a non-cruise vessel
- crew on a foreign ship carrying cargo
- guests of the government
- people traveling under The Antarctic Treaty
- members of a visiting force and associated crew members.
