Guide to New Zealand ETA and IVL: What you need to know when visiting New Zealand

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Planning a trip to New Zealand? If so, you might need a New Zealand eTA and IVL.

If you are a citizen of Europe, the UK, USA or one of the many other New Zealand visa waiver countries, when you enter New Zealand, you will need a New Zealand eTA and IVL.

Sound daunting? Don’t worry, we are here to help you through the process with a handy step-by-step guide for applications both via the government website and app.

 

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Guide to New Zealand ETA and IVL: What you need to know when visiting New Zealand.

What is NZeTA?

NZeTA is short for New Zealand Electronic Travel Authority. It’s an electronic visa waiver which needs to be obtained before setting foot to New Zealand. Even though it might feel like it, it doesn’t count as a visa.

You might already know similar processes from visiting the USA, Australia and Canada.

NZeTA: Who needs one?

If you are travelling to New Zealand from one of the over 60 visa waiver countries (countries who don’t need a visitor visa) and are staying in New Zealand for less than three months, you will need to obtain a New Zealand ETA.

Which are New Zealand Visa Waiver Countries?

If your country is on this list, you are eligible for an NZeTA:

What if I’m from one of the visa waiver countries and want to stay longer than three months?

Then everything stays the same as it’s always been: You will need to apply either for a holiday visa, work visa, working holiday visa or one of the other New Zealand visas, depending on your plans in New Zealand.

I’m only transiting through New Zealand en-route to a different country / 
I am visiting New Zealand on a cruise: 
Do I need an NZeTA?

Yes! As soon as you set foot in New Zealand, be it only for a day as part of a cruise or transiting to another country without leaving the airport, you will still need an NZeTA.

Who is exempt from NZeTA?  

Citizens of Australia and Australian Permanent Residents are exempt from New Zealand ETA. Don’t forget to bring your permanent resident visa!

Countries that are not part of the New Zealand visa waiver program do not need an NZeTA. However, you will have to apply for a visitor visa online or through the embassy.

How long is the NZeTA valid for?

Once you received your NZeTA, it will be valid for 2 years and multiple entries. 

How long does it take to get the NZeTA?

It’s usually a matter of minutes from payment until the confirmation lands in your inbox. In a few cases, it can take longer.

What on earth is the IVL (International Visitor Conservation and Tourism Levy) I also need to get?

The International Visitor Conservation and Tourism Levy was newly introduced in 2019 and is a tourism and conservation tax. The levy goes towards maintaining the tourism infrastructure and to help protect the nature that makes New Zealand so famous.

The NZeTA and IVL are paid at the same time to make the process easier.

If you only transit through New Zealand, you won’t be charged for the IVL.

Read more about IVL here

How to apply for NZeTA and IVL: Step-by-step-guide

Applying and paying for the New Zealand ETA and the IVL is pretty easy:

Fill out the NZeTA form:

Filling out the NZeTA form via the website

If you fill out the form via the website, these are the steps and the questions asked (click on the pictures to enlarge):

Step 1: Enter your nationality

sTep 2: Enter passport details

Step 3: Personal detail (Note: National ID is optional)

Step 4: Declare whether you are australian resident and if you’re transiting or visiting New Zealand

Step 5: these questions are similar to what you find on an arrival card

Step 6 and 7: review and confirm your details and click the boxes to declare that your answers are truthful and that you agree to the privacy statement

Step 6 and 7: review and confirm your details and click the boxes to declare that your answers are truthful and that you agree to the privacy statement

Step 8: Go on to purchase your NZeta and IVL

 

Note: Step 3 (personal details) asks you for your ‘National Identity Number, if you have one’. This is optional and if you’re not sure what to put in there, just leave it empty.

Filling out the NZeTA form via the app

Filling out the form via the app works slightly different, although the questions will be the same. Different to the web-version the app will ask you for a picture.

Step 1: Download the NZETA app in your app store

Step 2: scan the code on the bottom of your passport

Step 3: Take your photo. Best is to stand against a neutral back-ground, take glasses off, take your hair out of your face and keep your mouth closed. point the camera at you like a selfie and it will automatically take a picture.

Step 4: check your passport details are correct

Step 5: answer all questions asked truthfully

step 6: proceed to the payment options and pay for the nzeta and ivl

 
 

And done! You will now receive your NZeTA via e-mail. 

How much does the NZeTA and the IVL cost?

The IVL is the same price, no matter how you obtain it. If you download the app and fill the NZeTA form via there, it’s slightly cheaper than if you do the same on their website.

Cost for NZeTA and IVL for the 2023/24 season:
Cost for NZeTA via the website: NZD 23
Cost for NZeTA via the app: NZD 17
Cost for the IVL: NZD 35

Prices are correct as per January 2024.

When to apply for the NZeTA?

Best apply for the New Zealand ETA and IVL as soon as you’ve booked your flights!

It’s usually a matter of minutes for the confirmation to come through. However, make sure to obtain the New Zealand ETA at least 72 hours before departure to be on the safe side. But easiest is really to get it as soon as your New Zealand holidays are booked so you don’t have to remember it.

Why is my New Zealand eTA approval pending?

Usually, your NZeTa should be approved within minutes of applying or up to 72 hours. If you still haven’t heard after 3 days, you may want to wait for a few more days to see if it might just be a little bit longer. If you still haven’t heard after about a week, chances are something is not going the way it should and the automatic system couldn’t approve it.

This doesn’t mean that your New Zealand eTA will be declined. Chances are higher that you made a typo somewhere and that the application went to a human for double-checking. You can find out what’s happening by calling New Zealand immigration.

How to reach New Zealand immigration to check my NZeTA?

The best and fastest way is to give New Zealand immigration a call: +64 9 914 4100

NZ immigration phone lines are open from 6pm to 10pm NZ time. This should give a window for every time zone.

Make sure you have your NZeTA application number ready, as well as your passport number and birth date.

Once they have your details, they’ll be able to pretty quickly determine why your New Zealand eTa is still pending.

I made a typo in my original NZeTA application. What now?

Not to worry, there are two options to fix your application if you made a typo in your application:

Option 1: Request a change to your NZeTA application

Go to this page on NZ Immigration’s website: https://www.immigration.govt.nz/about-us/contact/nzeta-change-request

  • Fill out the online form in the grey field at the bottom of the page. You’ll have to click that, yes, you do already have an NZeTa reference number. Enter your reference number, passport number you used to apply for the NZeTA, nationality and date of birth (if any of these info were your typo, enter it the way you originally applied for it, and not how it’s supposed to be or they won’t find it).

  • Next you have to enter your contact email address as applied previously and the date you depart for New Zealand.

  • In the next field, they ask what you’d like to change or update. Click what’s relevant (according to an immigration agent I had on the phone, typos in passport numbers are ‘small errors’ and not ‘passport details’, those are for bigger changes like a stolen passport).

  • A new field pops up asking you what you’d like to change. Click any field that’s applicable.

  • Update to the correct information and let them know your reasons to change (eg ‘typo in original passport number’ or similar), then hit submit.

Change requests to your NZeTA are free but can take around 10 business day (plus/minus a few).

If you don’t have that much time left before you travel to New Zealand, you only have Option 2 available:

Option 2: Apply for a new NZeTa and IVL from scratch

This will be much faster to approve (instant to 72 hours as it should’ve the first time round). But you’ll have to pay again for the application.

Now you also see why it makes sense to get the application for the NZeTA and IVL over and done with as soon as you’ve booked the flights… Much less anxiety if something doesn’t go to plan.

Additional important information about the NZeTA and IVL

Always print a hard copy and save the NZeTA to your phone. 

You will not be allowed to board the plane or leave the cruise ship if you don’t have an NZeTA or can’t prove that you obtained one! 

Be careful: Websites that want to rip you off!

As soon as a new country introduces, they are sure to pop up, too: The websites with heaps of info about the ETA, who trick you into thinking they are the official place to purchase.

They are not!

Only ever purchase your NZeTA via the official government website or via the apps! All other websites might or might not organise your ETA for you, but you can be sure to pay a hefty surcharge in any case.


With these tips, it should now be easy as (as the Kiwis say) to get your NZeTA and IVL for any New Zealand trip. 

Now relax and look forward to your New Zealand holidays!

Do you have any more questions? Comment below or message me and I’ll be happy to try and answer them for you!