What is the New Zealand eTA? A Complete Guide for Travelers

With its rich culture and untamed wilderness, New Zealand promises to offer an unforgettable experience. An island country, New Zealand is nestled in Southeast Australia. Famous for its spectacular beauty and serendipity, New Zealand is also nicknamed as the Land of the Long White Cloud.

Because of its rich scenic beauty and rustic charm, New Zealand attracts millions of tourists every year. This has led the country to open several visa options for those willing to enjoy a slice of the landscape.

One of these includes the New Zealand eTA. This is an official travel document that the government introduced in 2019 to enhance border security.

What is the New Zealand eTA (Electronic Travel Authority)?

The New Zealand eTA is a pre-travel document that people use to visit without applying for a visa first. This process however depends on one's passport, their mode of transport, and if they are visiting or just transiting.

An NZ eTA document will allow a visitor to stay for over three months. Regardless, an eTA allows multiple entries for two years.

However, it is vital to apply for a New Zealand eTA application well before you schedule your travels. Its processing time is quite long; it can even take over 72 hours. An application may take even more time depending upon other verification, if needed.

Remember that you cannot board a cruise or flight to New Zealand unless you have a valid NZeTA.

Why You Need the New Zealand eTA?

An NZeTA is a vital tool to travel all over New Zealand for a bunch of reasons. The top reason among these is that with an NZeTA you can easily travel to not only the nation but also transit Auckland International Airport without applying for a visa.

You can also visit the nation for over three months and six months if you are a UK citizen.

ETA vs. Traditional Visa: Key Differences

With the ongoing travel trends circulating the digital landscape, two popular terms seem to have stood the test of time:

• Visas
• eTAs

While both seem related, they are quite different from each other. An eVisa is basically a digital form of a traditional visa. They can be obtained from an official website and remove the hassle of getting a traditional visa.

Whereas, an eTA is an electronic authorization you need before entering a nation. It does not need detailed documents, unlike a visa. It also remains valid for multiple entries where digital approval is easily granted.

Eligibility Requirements for New Zealand ETA

Every traveler visiting New Zealand needs either a visa or an NZeTA to travel to the land. To check if you require an NzeTA or a visa, check here.

An ETA permits various kinds of travel including business, tourism, and transit. You can also apply for an NZeTA if you are traveling there to meet friends or family or if you have boarded a cruise ship.

Documents and Information Required for ETA

Here is every information and document you may need for an approved application:

• You need a passport valid for over three months beyond your travels.
• A recent digital photo that meets New Zealand's requirements.
• A valid debit or credit card.
• A valid email address where your NZeTA will be sent.
• Your travel information along with the date you will arrive at, plus your transport details.
• Information about the reason you are visiting.

In this process, you'll also need to pay an IVL fee along with the regular NzeTA fee. The IVL fee stands for International Visitor Conservation and Tourism Levy which contributes to their tourism structure and helps protect their natural environment.

You should also double-check all your information before submitting it to avoid errors that lead to rejection.

How to Apply for a New Zealand ETA

Applying for a New Zealand visa is a simple process. When you apply for an NzeTA, you need to first visit the website. Although the process for New Zealand eTA application is simple, you need to ensure that every information is accurately given. This will minimize the scope of your application being delayed or rejected.

Step-by-Step Application Process

When applying for an eTA New Zealand application, you need to ensure certain factors. These factors include:

• You have to provide proof of your identity. This generally means you will have to put details of your passport. Remember to check if your passport is about to expire. You need to have extra validity over six months beyond your stay.
• It is also vital to have good health for an approved NZeTA application. Unless you plan to visit for medical reasons. For this, you should go for a Medical Treatment Visitor visa.
• To get your NZeTA approved you have to ensure good character. This means you must not have a history of criminal offenses.
• Your mode of arrival is also vital. You can arrive on a cruise ship irrespective of your nation. However, if you are planning to take a flight, you need to check if your nation falls under the list of visa waiver countries.
• You should show proof of sufficient funds to sustain in New Zealand or for onward travels.

eTA Processing Times and Fees

An eTA does not need much time or money. Mostly, you will get an approval within 72 hours of submitting your eTA form. However, in case of any discrepancies, it may need more time.

What Happens After eTA Approval?

Once your New Zealand eTA has been approved you can easily visit the Land of the Long White Cloud multiple times for two years and stay for up to three months at a time.

However, different countries that offer the same benefit of an eTA may have separate guidelines for staying. Regardless, remember not to overstay under an eTA. Thus it is vital to ensure that you stay only for three months and then come again if necessary. If you feel that your stay will be longer than planned, you can take time and apply for an e-visa that you can keep on extending.

Can Your eTA Be Denied?

Although very rare, your eTA can be denied. However, in case it has been denied, it is tough to find out a reason for it since the official websites do not give out any. Regardless, here's a list of the possible options that may lead to your NZeTA rejection:

• You've made an error while filling up
• You've put incorrect information on the form
• You have been in New Zealand illegally or you have had a criminal record in the past.
• You have severe health issues.

If your eTA has been denied but you still wish to visit New Zealand, you can plan for longer and get a tourist visa. It will be more expensive and time-consuming but flexible.

Get Your NZeTA Now In A Few Simple Steps!

Obtaining an NZ eTA is very simple! All you have to do is visit the site, follow a few simple steps and you can easily get your New Zealand eTA in a couple of minutes!

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Ensure that you have checked the eligibility for your Online New Zealand Visa. Polish citizens, Portuguese citizens, Mexican citizens, Swiss citizens and French citizens can apply online for New Zealand eTA.