Visa Information

Immigration and Visa Requirements 
When planning your trip and before you leave, check to make sure you have all the travel documents you will need and that they are all up to date. 
If you do not have the correct visa or travel authority when you check-in for your flight to New Zealand, you may not be able to board, or you may be refused entry on arrival in New Zealand. It is each traveller’s responsibility to make sure you hold the correct visa or travel authority. 
The visa type you apply for, and the requirements for that visa will vary depending on the type of event you are attending, your participation in the event or visit, as well as the type of passport you hold and will enter New Zealand on.  If you are travelling in on a passport from a visa waiver country, you can travel to New Zealand on a New Zealand Electronic Travel Authority (NZeTA), but if you hold a passport from a non-visa waiver country, you will need to apply for an appropriate visa.
If you are transiting via another country (such as Australia), please ensure you check their visa requirements as you may require additional visas.

Traveller Declaration
Everyone travelling to New Zealand by air must complete a declaration, and receive a Traveller Pass, before they travel. Review the details required and link to the form here.  The NZTD asks questions about your travel, including customs, immigration, and biosecurity information. It aims to improve the safety and security of New Zealand. 

Visitor Visa (Non-Australian and Non-Visa waiver countries)
All visitors will need to apply for a visa and provide evidence of your ability to meet the criteria for entry. Applications can take up to 3 months to process, so please ensure you apply for your visa well in advance of your travel. You can view visa options and apply on the New Zealand Immigration visa page.

Visa Waiver Countries (less than 3 month stay)
If you are a citizen of a country which has a visa waiver agreement with New Zealand and meet the criteria below, you do not need a visa, but you do need a NZeTA to enter New Zealand and must:

• hold a valid ticket from New Zealand to a country where you have the right of entry
• have sufficient money to support yourself during your stay in New Zealand 
• hold a passport valid for 3 months beyond the date you intend leaving New Zealand 
• remain in New Zealand only for the time granted on your arrival

View more information about the visa waiver eligibility.

You will need to apply online for an NZeTA prior to travelling. Please allow up to 72 hours for your NZeTA to be processed. View information about applying for your NZeTA here.

Note: If you intend to remain in New Zealand longer than three months or intend to be in New Zealand to undertake work, you will need to apply for a visitor visa or an appropriate work visa before you come to New Zealand. You should also apply for a visa before you travel if you have any character convictions that may affect your eligibility to be issued an NZeTA. This is to avoid being denied entry to New Zealand on character grounds.

Visa Waiver Countries (longer than 3 month stay)
If you intend to stay in New Zealand for longer than three months, you will need to apply for a visitor visa at least 30 days before travelling. Visa applications can be made online at the New Zealand Immigration visa site.

Australian Citizens
For those travelling from Australia please visit here for more immigration pathway information for Australian citizens and permanent residents travelling to New Zealand. 
This factsheet will also be useful for any conference delegates travelling on Chinese passports from Australia.

We encourage people to continue to monitor the Immigration New Zealand (INZ) website www.immigration.govt.nz for any changes to the visa requirements for entering New Zealand, and updated information on any travel requirements for New Zealand.

Apply in Good Time
Please ensure that visa applications are submitted well before your intended travel date. It is recommended you apply at least four weeks in advance. Please also ensure that you check whether your proposed travel route will require any transit visas and allow sufficient time to obtain these. 

INZ usually allocate applications for visas by the date we receive them, from the oldest first, which is why it is important to submit your application in at least four weeks in advance of your intended travel. When we allocate an application, it means we assign it to an immigration officer to start assessing it.

Once Your Application has been Submitted 
Once your application has been submitted online you do not need to send us a physical copy of your passport. If we need to see your physical passport to confirm your identity, we will either email you after you submit your application or tell you on the acknowledgement page when you complete your online application. Do not send your physical passport to INZ unless you have been advised to by an INZ processing officer. 
If your application is approved, you will be granted an electronic visa (eVisa) which will be uploaded on your Immigration ONLINE account. You must print this and carry it with you when you travel. 

ARRIVING IN NEW ZEALAND 

Customs and Biosecurity 
Other border agencies such as the New Zealand customs Services and the Ministry of Primary Industries (MPI) check that you meet their entry requirements. They can refuse to let you enter New Zealand if you do not. More information can be found: 

Travel to and from New Zealand | New Zealand Customs Service 

Arriving in New Zealand | Biosecurity New Zealand (MPI)