Travellers with a Chinese passport or nationals of some Pacific islands will soon be eligible to apply for an NZeTA for New Zealand. Provided they meet a series of requirements, they will no longer need to apply for a visa to travel to New Zealand.
NZeTA or visa for New Zealand?
Applying for an NZeTA is much easier and cheaper than for a visa for New Zealand. Travellers can easily apply online for the NZeTA in a few steps. First, they must fill in the online application form and then submit a digital ID photo or selfie. The NZeTA is generally approved within 5 days and then is sent by email. Most European travellers, including British nationals, have been eligible to apply for NZeTA for some time now. If you meet all the requirements, you are advised to apply for the NZeTA before your holiday or business trip.
Soon, citizens of China and some Pacific islands who meet a series of requirements will also be able to apply for the NZeTA for New Zealand. In this way, it will be much easier for them to travel to New Zealand. Thanks to the visa waiver, the New Zealand authorities expect the country will become a more attractive destination for tourists from China and the Pacific region.
New regulations for China and the Pacific islands
The new visa regulations to travel to New Zealand are being relaxed for Chinese nationals and some member states of the so-called Pacific Islands Forum. This is an intergovernmental organisation aiming to promote cooperation between the different regions in Oceania. In addition to China, the following twelve countries in the Pacific region will soon be eligible for an NZeTA:
- Fiji
- Kiribati
- Marshall Islands
- Micronesia
- Nauru
- Palau
- Papoea-New-Guinea
- Samoa
- Solomon Islands
- Tonga
- Tuvalu
- Vanuatu
Requirements for Chinese and Pacific citizens
Not all Chinese and Pacific travellers will be able to apply for the NZeTA. The new regulation only applies to travellers going from Australia to New Zealand. Those travelling directly from China or another country to New Zealand will not be eligible for the NZeTA. Travellers who only transfer in Australia are not eligible for the NZeTA, either.
In addition, travellers must hold a valid visa for Australia of a specific category. This may be a visitor visa, such as the eVisitor visa, but also a work, study or family visa. Travellers with an NZeTA may stay in New Zealand for a maximum of 3 consecutive months. Chinese and Pacific travellers who want to stay longer in the country need to apply for a New Zealand visa.
One-year trial period
As of 3 November 2025, the relaxation of restrictions for Chinese nationals and citizens of Pacific islands will come into effect. This is a one-year pilot scheme, not a permanent arrangement. It is not yet known if the project will be extended after that. New Zealand's Immigration Minister, Erica Stanford, has already emphasised that China is an important market for New Zealand's tourism sector. In 2024, at least 240,000 Chinese nationals visited New Zealand on a visitor visa.