Summary of New Zealand entry and visa requirements

Below is a summarised list of general entry and visa requirements for Australians travelling to New Zealand.

Visa exemption for New Zealand

Australian citizens travelling on an Australian passport and Australian permanent residents with a valid New Zealand Electronic Travel Authorisation do not need to apply for a visa before travelling to New Zealand for any purpose or length of stay. Australian temporary residents travelling to New Zealand with a passport from a country that is not eligible for a visa waiver will need to apply for a visa that is appropriate for their trip type and duration.

Passport requirements

Your Australian passport must be valid for at least one month after your intended departure date from New Zealand. Some airlines require six months' validity, so check with your carrier.

New Zealand Electronic Travel Authority (NZeTA)

The NZeTA is not required for Australian citizens. However, Australian residents holding a passport with foreign nationality must apply for the NZeTA.

New Zealand arrival card

On the way to New Zealand, travellers will be given an arrival card to complete. The New Zealand arrival card will contain questions about the travellers character and intentions. Upon arrival in New Zealand, immigration officers will check the arrival card.

Character requirements

Travellers must be of good character to enter New Zealand. Travellers with criminal convictions may need to apply for a visa with a character waiver before travelling. When checking your arrival card, immigration officers will determine if you meet New Zealand’s requirements for good character.

New Zealand Traveller Declaration Form (NZTD)

All travellers, including Australian citizens, must complete the New Zealand Traveller Declaration before arriving in New Zealand. This is considered applying for permission to enter New Zealand. The NZTD can be filled out digitally any time. However, the earliest you can submit the digital declaration is 24 hours before starting your trip to New Zealand. Paper declaration forms are also available.

Purpose specific documents

Australian temporary residents who are not eligible for a visa waiver may be required to submit purpose specific documents such as work contracts or study acceptance letters along with their visa application depending on the nature of their trip to New Zealand.

Health requirements

While there are typically no specific health requirements for Australian citizens, New Zealand border authorities may screen for infectious diseases.

Australian Resident Visa

Australian citizens with an Australian passport and Australian permanent residents holding a valid New Zealand Electronic Travel Authority will be issued with an Australian Resident Visa upon arrival in New Zealand if immigration officers can confirm their Australian citizenship or permanent residency status and that they meet the good character requirements based on their arrival card. Provided there are no issues, the Australian Resident Visa issued upon arrival allows eligible Australians to visit, work, and live in New Zealand indefinitely. Australian temporary residents are not eligible to apply for the Australian Resident Visa in New Zealand.

Can Australians enter New Zealand without a visa?

Australian citizens travelling with an Australian passport, and permanent residents travelling with a valid NZeTA obtained before they depart Australia can enter New Zealand for any travel purpose, and for any duration without applying for a visa in advance. According to the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs, this freedom of travel is made possible through the Trans-Tasman Travel Agreement which allows Australians and New Zealanders to visit, live and work in either country without restrictions. Temporary Australian residents may need a visa before they can visit New Zealand.

Does New Zealand have a visa exemption for Australians?

New Zealand has a visa exemption for Australia under the Trans-Tasman Travel Arrangement. This longstanding agreement allows Australian passport holders and permanent residents with a valid and pre-approved NZeTA to travel to New Zealand without applying for a visa beforehand. This arrangement represents one of the most open border arrangements in the world.

Can Australians get a visa on arrival in New Zealand?

Upon arrival in New Zealand, eligible Australians - citizens and permanent residents with a valid NZeTA obtained before travel - are issued with an Australian Resident Visa for New Zealand allowing them to visit, work, study, and live in New Zealand indefinitely provided they meet the country’s entry requirements outlined above. This process is typically seamless and requires nothing more than presenting your passport or valid NZeTA and completing the standard arrival formalities, including an Arrival Card and the New Zealand Traveller Declaration.

Australian Resident Visa for New Zealand

The Australian Resident Visa allows Australian citizens and permanent residents with a valid NZeTA to live, work and study in New Zealand indefinitely. Please note this visa is not available for Australian temporary residents. Eligible Australians cannot apply for this visa before travelling to New Zealand. This visa is typically granted to eligible Australians upon arrival to New Zealand. Whilst there is no formal application for the Australian Resident Visa, eligible Australians must meet specific entry requirements to be granted this visa upon arrival.

What are the requirements for the Australian Resident Visa for New Zealand

Australian citizens and permanent residents must meet certain eligibility and entry requirements to be granted the Australian Resident Visa upon arrival in New Zealand. Here’s what you need to know.

• Proof of identity: You must have a valid passport to prove your identity.

• Australian immigration status: Your passport will be used to check your Australian immigration status.

• Australian citizens: You must be an Australian citizen with a valid Australian passport.

• Australian permanent residents: Permanent residents can use a foreign passport that confirms they are an Australian permanent resident. They must also hold either a valid Australian Permanent Resident Visa or a valid Australian Resident Return Visa. Carry a printed version of these in case you are asked to show it at the border.

• New Zealand Electronic Travel Authority: Australian permanent residents must hold a valid NZeTA before they travel.

• Good character: All travellers must be of good character. On your way to New Zealand you will receive an arrival card which contains questions about your character and intentions. When you arrive, immigration officers will check your arrival card to determine if you meet New Zealand’s requirements for good character. You may not meet New Zealand’s good character requirements if any of the following apply:

  • You have a criminal conviction

  • You have been deported, removed or excluded from another country

  • Immigration officers have reason to believe you may be a risk to New Zealand’s security, public order or public interest

• New Zealand Traveller Declaration (NZTD): All travellers must apply for permission to enter New Zealand by completing the New Zealand Traveller Declaration online or by paper. Visit the New Zealand Traveller Declaration website to complete a digital declaration online or by downloading the NZTD app. When filling out the NZTD, make sure you answer section 7 correctly. This asks if you hold an Australian passport or Permanent Residence Visa.

• Arrival in New Zealand: When you arrive in New Zealand, go to the e-Gate or SmartGate if you have a passport for these gates. Otherwise, go to the main customs line and explain to the Customs/Immigration Officer that you are applying for the Australian Resident Visa.

Below is a summary of the details for the Australia Resident Visa for New Zealand.

New Zealand's Electronic Travel Authorisation

The New Zealand Electronic Travel Authority (NZeTA) is a travel document that eligible travellers may use to enter New Zealand. If you have a valid New Zealand visa, you do not need an NZeTA. The NZeTA is valid for up to two years and allows multiple entries into New Zealand for 3 months, or 6 months for UK citizens per each visit.

Below is a summary of how the NZeTA applies to Australian travellers:

• Australian citizens: do not need to obtain a New Zealand Electronic Travel Authority (NZeTA) as they benefit from visa-free travel

• Australian permanent residents: must apply for an NZeTA before travelling to New Zealand

• Australian temporary residents: use the online tool to check if you need a visa or an NZeTA to travel to New Zealand based on their passport nationality and specific travel purposes

Below is a summary of the details for the New Zealand Electronic Travel Authority.

What are the requirements for New Zealand's Electronic Travel Authority?

For Australian permanent residents requiring an NZeTA, you'll need to meet the following requirements:

• be in good health

• have a good character

• have a genuine reason for coming to New Zealand

• have enough money to pay your expenses

• have plans to leave New Zealand at the end of your stay.

These requirements are addressed in more detail in the New Zealand Visa Requirements for Australians section below.

You’ll need these documents to apply for an NZeTA

• a valid passport that you will use to travel to New Zealand

• a credit card or debit card (Visa or Mastercard)

• an email address

• a photo of your face, or a device that can take one

How to apply for the NZeTA

A NZeTA can be applied for online or via the NZeTA mobile app. Using the app takes about 5 minutes to complete the application. Here’s an overview of the general steps you’ll need to take to apply for the NZeTA:

1. Traveller Information: Provide your passport details using the valid passport you will use to travel to New Zealand

2. Traveller Photo: Provide a photo of your face following the NZeTA photo specifications

3. Review and Confirm Details: Make sure all of your details are accurate and match the passport you will be travelling with

4. Declaration: Make a declaration that all of the information is accurate

5. Pay and Submit: Pay your application fee

6. Processing: Most NZeTA applications are processed within 72 hours, but it's recommended to apply at least a week before travel to allow for any potential delays.

What visa do I need for New Zealand?

As an Australian citizen or permanent resident travelling with a pre-approved NZeTA, you do not need to apply for a visa to enter New Zealand for any purpose or length of stay. The Australian Resident Visa you receive upon arrival allows you to:

• Visit New Zealand for tourism

• Work in New Zealand

• Study in New Zealand

• Live in New Zealand indefinitely

This arrangement removes the need for Australian citizens and permanent residents to navigate New Zealand's visa system, which can include tourist visas, work visas, and study visas for citizens of other countries.

However, Australian temporary residents may need to apply for a visa before they can visit New Zealand. The travel document needed by temporary residents generally depends on the passport nationality they are travelling with. Visit the New Zealand Immigration website to see the official list of visa waiver countries and territories.

Passport from a visa waiver country or territory

Generally, Australian temporary residents travelling with a passport from a visa waiver country or territory must have a valid and pre-approved NZeTA to travel to New Zealand. Upon arrival in New Zealand, they may be given a visa that lets them stay in New Zealand for up to 3 months at a time, or up to 6 months at a time if travelling with a UK passport.

Passport from another country

Australian temporary residents travelling with a passport from another country (that is not included in the list of countries eligible for a visa waiver) cannot travel to New Zealand with a NZeTA and must apply for the appropriate visa before travelling to New Zealand.

Australian temporary residents should use New Zealand Immigration’s online tool to check which travel document they need before travelling to New Zealand. Use the online tool to check if you need a visa or an NZeTA to travel to New Zealand or follow the ‘Find a visa’ prompts on the New Zealand Immigration website.

What are New Zealand visa requirements for Australians?

Since Australian citizens and permanent residents travelling with an authorised NZeTA, don't need to apply for a visa before travelling to New Zealand, they simply need to meet the eligibility and entry requirements to be granted the Australian Resident Visa upon arrival in New Zealand. In contrast, Australian temporary residents may need to apply for a visa before they can visit New Zealand.

For Australian temporary residents, most New Zealand visas will typically have the following requirements.

Good health

Travellers must be in good health. Immigration may ask you to complete a chest X-ray, a medical examination or both as proof of your health. Travellers staying less than 6 months generally won’t need a chest X-ray and travellers staying less than 12 months generally won’t need a medical certificate. If you are required to submit either documents, they must be less than 3 months old when submitted.

Good character

Travellers must be of good character and may need to provide police certificates as proof of good character. Police certificates must be less than 6 months old if you are aged 17 or older and will spend a total of 24 months or more in New Zealand.

Genuine reasons for travel

You must be a genuine visitor to New Zealand and intend to leave at the end of your visit.

Proof of funds for stay

You must prove that you have enough money to live on while you are in New Zealand or have an acceptable sponsor.

• If paying for yourself: You must have at least NZD $1,000 a month, or NZD $400 a month if you have already paid for accommodation. Evidence can include proof of accommodation booking or bank or credit card statements.

• If you have a sponsor: Your sponsor must complete a Sponsorship Form for Temporary Entry and can provide supporting documents including bank statements, pay slips or their employment agreement.

Proof of onward travel

You must show proof of onward travel.

• If paying for yourself: You must show proof of your ticket for travel out of New Zealand at the end of your stay to a country you have the right to enter (a Schengen visa for Schengen member states if you are not a citizen of a Schengen member state) or documents, such as bank or credit card statements, that show you have enough money to buy a ticket.

• If you have a sponsor: Your sponsor can provide recent bank statements to show they have enough money to buy you a ticket out of New Zealand.

Below is a breakdown of common visas for New Zealand and their visa requirements that may be applicable to Australian temporary residents travelling with a passport from a country that does not have a visa exemption for New Zealand.

New Zealand visitor visa

Australian citizens and permanent residents travelling with a NZeTA do not need a visitor visa to visit New Zealand. Provided all entry requirements are met, this group of Australian travellers is granted an Australian Resident Visa on arrival that enables travellers to engage in tourism activities for any amount of time. However, Australian temporary residents travelling on a passport from non visa exempt countries will need to apply for a visitor visa.

What are the requirements for a New Zealand visitor visa?

Since Australian citizens and permanent residents travelling with a NZeTA don't need to apply for a tourist visa, there are no specific requirements beyond the entry requirements mentioned above. For Australian temporary residents, tourist visa requirements typically include the standard visa requirements outlined above including:

• Good Health

• Good Character

• Genuine Reasons for Travel

• Proof of Funds for Stay

• Proof of Onward Travel

Below is a summary of key features and requirements for the New Zealand visitor visa. For more detailed information visit New Zealand Immigration’s guide to applying for a visitor visa.

New Zealand business visa

Australian citizens and permanent residents travelling with a NZeTA do not need a separate business visa to conduct business activities in New Zealand. The Australian Resident Visa granted on arrival covers business activities such as attending meetings, conferences, or exploring business opportunities. However, Australian temporary residents travelling on a passport from non visa exempt countries will need to apply for a business visa for stays less than 3 months in 1 year for business purposes including:

• Carrying out an official trade mission recognised by the New Zealand government

• Selling goods and services in New Zealand

• Buying New Zealand goods and services

• Negotiating or discussing the set-up, expansion or wind-up of a business in New Zealand

• Carrying out any business with the authorised representatives of an overseas company, body or person.

• Carrying out any other work activities, including contracting or consulting where you will be paid or compensated for your work or expertise

For stays beyond 3 months, temporary residents will need to apply for a work visa.

Consider if you need travel insurance for your business trip to New Zealand.

What are the requirements for a New Zealand business visa?

Since Australian citizens and permanent residents travelling with a NZeTA don't need to apply for a business visa, there are no specific requirements beyond the entry requirements mentioned above. For Australian temporary residents, business visa requirements typically include the standard visa requirements outlined above including:

• Good Health

• Good Character

• Genuine Reasons for Travel

• Proof of Funds for Stay

• Proof of Onward Travel

Below is a summary of key features and requirements for the New Zealand business visa.

New Zealand work visas

Australian citizens and permanent residents travelling with an approved NZeTA do not need to apply for work visas to work in New Zealand. The Australian Resident Visa granted on arrival allows this group of travellers to work for any employer, in any role, for any length of time. This is a significant advantage for Australian citizens and permanent residents, as citizens of most other countries need to navigate New Zealand's complex work visa system, which includes various types of visas for working in New Zealand depending on skills, job offers, and employment sectors.

Australian temporary residents who wish to work in New Zealand are encouraged to consult the New Zealand High Commission or visit Immigration New Zealand’s website to learn more about specific requirements and eligibility criteria for various New Zealand work visas to determine which visa fits their work qualifications and experience.

New Zealand student visas and permits

Australian citizens and permanent residents travelling with an approved NZeTA do not need student visas to study in New Zealand. The Australian Resident Visa granted on arrival allows Australian citizens and permanent residents to enrol in any course, at any educational institution, for any length of time. This is a significant advantage for eligible Australian students, who wish to study in New Zealand without navigating visa applications and can change courses or institutions without visa complications.

However, Australian temporary residents travelling to New Zealand for study will need to apply for a NZeTA or a study visa based on their passport nationality and the length of study as outlined below.

Consider if you need travel insurance for your student trip to New Zealand.

What are the requirements for New Zealand student visas?

For Australian citizens and permanent residents travelling on a NZeTA there are no specific visa requirements for studying in New Zealand beyond the general entry requirements mentioned above. Australian temporary residents who wish to study in New Zealand are encouraged to consult the New Zealand High Commission or visit Immigration New Zealand’s website to learn more about specific requirements and eligibility criteria for various New Zealand study visas to determine which visa fits their study needs and education level.

Do I need to apply for a visa to New Zealand?

Australian citizens and permanent residents travelling with a valid NZeTA who plan to visit, work, study or live in New Zealand do not need to apply for a visa before travelling. Provided you meet all of the entry requirements you will be granted an Australian Resident Visa upon arrival. However, Australian temporary residents will need to apply for either a NZeTA or appropriate visa to enter New Zealand depending on the passport they are travelling on.

Australian temporary residents are encouraged to use Immigration New Zealand’s online tool to check which travel document they need before travelling to New Zealand depending on their specific circumstances and passport nationality.

How to apply for a New Zealand visa

For Australian temporary residents who need to apply for a visa to New Zealand, follow the steps below.

1. Identify the visa type

Use Immigration New Zealand’s online tool to check if you need a visa or an NZeTA for the length, duration and purpose of your trip. Follow the prompts to see which travel document you can travel on the specific visa requirements you will need to meet.

2. Gather supporting documents

Gather all of the supporting documents you will need for your visa application. Use our entry and visa requirements as a guide, but make sure to follow the instructions from official New Zealand government sources such as Immigration New Zealand for up to date details and visa requirements for your specific visa. You will likely need purpose specific documents for work visas and student visas.

3. Application methods

There are some visas for which you can apply for only online or only on paper. Visit Immigration New Zealand to find out which visas can only be applied for online and which visas must be applied for by paper.

Online visa application

You can apply online by creating a RealMe account through Immigration New Zealand. Once you set up your account, begin your application, upload your documents and pay the applicable fee. Learn more about using e-Visas for New Zealand.

By paper

Some visas may require a paper application. Go to the Immigration New Zealand contact page to check which Immigration branch will process your visa application.

4. Pay the visa fee

Visa application fees vary depending on the type of visa. For up to date fees visit the Immigration New Zealand website and search for your specific visa.

5. Wait for processing

Processing times vary depending on the complexity of your application and application volumes.

What happens if I overstay my visa in New Zealand?

As an Australian citizen or permanent resident, you cannot overstay your visa in New Zealand because there is no time limit on the Australian Resident Visa. However, if your circumstances change (e.g. you lose your Australian citizenship or permanent residency status), you would need to apply for the appropriate visa to remain in New Zealand legally.

For travellers such as Australian temporary residents who do overstay their visa validity, New Zealand has strict penalties which may include:

• Deportation

• A ban on re-entry to New Zealand

• Difficulty obtaining visas for other countries in the future

How much does a New Zealand visa cost?

For Australian temporary residents who do need to take out a visa to enter New Zealand, the fees are outlined below. Keep in mind that visa application fees can change over time and may be impacted by currency conversion rates.

Travel insurance for your trip to New Zealand

When planning your trip to New Zealand, it's important to consider travel insurance to help protect against some of the unexpected situations, such as medical emergencies. Depending on the policy chosen, it can also provide some protection for many other unexpected situations such as lost luggage, trip cancellation and many activities you might be planning on participating in on your trip. With Fast Cover, you can customise your travel insurance policy to suit your travel plans to New Zealand.

It is important to note that your travel insurance policy may not provide cover if you do not comply with New Zealand's visa or other entry requirements. To help ensure you are prepared for your trip, you should research and understand the relevant entry conditions before you travel to New Zealand.

Eligibility criteria, policy terms, conditions, exclusions, limits and sub limits apply. Consider the PDS prior to deciding on which policy is right for you and your needs.