News report | | 23-06-2025 | ±3 minutes reading time

If you are traveling to New Zealand, you need to complete the New Zealand Traveller Declaration 24 hours before departure. In this declaration you need to fill in your passport data and some other details regarding your trip. This is not part of the NZeTA application, but a separate form.

Replacement for the Passenger Arrival Card

Travellers to New Zealand are required to complete the New Zealand Traveller Declaration in addition to applying for their NZeTA or visa. This requirement applies to New Zealanders and Australians, too. The declaration was introduced in August 2023 as a replacement for the Passenger Arrival Card that could be filled out on the plane. You can fill out this declaration in 10 minutes via the New Zealand Immigration website, or the NZTD app.

How to fill in the New Zealand Traveller Declaration

In order to fill in the New Zealand Traveller Declaration you need to follow several steps. First, you have to enter your name and contact information, such as an e-mail address and a phone number. After this, you must provide some personal information, like your first and last name, date and country of birth, nationality and passport number.

You will then be directed to a page where you will have to indicate the date and the flight or cruise ship on which you will enter New Zealand. Next, you will need to provide some personal information as well as details about your trip, namely:

  • Your home address and the address where you will be staying in New Zealand
  • Your travel purpose (tourism, business, visiting friends/family or conference)
  • If you have a job
  • Your arrival and departure date
  • Which countries you have visited in the past 30 days

In addition to this information, you should indicate if you have ever been convicted of a criminal offence. You must also inform if you plan to use New Zealand's healthcare facilities. Finally, you will be asked whether you intend to import any products into New Zealand and if you wish to make any customs declarations.

The NZeTA for New Zealand

Travelers going to New Zealand for holiday or for a business trip should apply for a NZeTA or a visa for New Zealand in advance. Most travelers with a European passport are eligible for the NZeTA. The NZeTA is a digital travel authorization with a validity period of two years. If you apply apply for it well in advance of departure you will avoid many problems during your trip. All travelers, except those with New Zealand or Australian citizenship, must have a valid NZeTA or visa before checking in on their flight.

Difference between the Traveller Declaration and the NZeTA

In order to apply for the NZeTA and the New Zealand Traveller Declaration you need to use two different forms. The NZeTA application costs € 99,95. On the contrary, filling in the declaration is free of charge. You can easily apply for the NZeTA via this website. After completing the application form and paying the fee, you must upload a clear ID photo of yourself or of the traveler for whom you are applying for the NZeTA. The NZeTA is normally approved in 5 days on average.

e-Visa.ie is a commercial and professional visa agency, and supports travellers in obtaining, among others, the New Zealand visa. e-Visa.ie is an official partner of the International Air Transport Association, IATA, with membership number 57231226, acts as an intermediary, is no law firm, nor does it employ lawyers, does not provide legal advice, and is in no way part of any government. You can also apply for a visa directly with the immigration service (123 NZD per visa, via nzeta.immigration.govt.nz). However, not with our level of support. If you submit your application via e-Visa.ie, our support centre is available to you 24/7. In addition, we manually check your application and all the documents you provide before submitting it to the immigration authorities on your behalf. If we suspect any errors or omissions while doing so, we will personally contact you to ensure that your application can still be processed quickly and correctly. To use our services, you pay us 123 NZD in consular fees, which we pay to the immigration service on your behalf, as well as € 36,54 in service fees as compensation for our services, including VAT. Our services have saved many travellers from major problems during their trip. Should an application be rejected despite our support and verification, we will refund the full purchase price (unless an application for a previous New Zealand visa was rejected for the same traveller). Read more about our services here.