If you are a Canadian passport holder and plan to be travelling to, or through, New Zealand from October 1, 2019, onward, you will need a travel authority to enter the country.
The New Zealand government will be introducing the new travel authority for visitors visiting and transiting through New Zealand from various visa waiver countries including Canada. Once you have finalized your vacation plans with Downunder Travel, your Destination Specialist can assist you in reserving your New Zealand Electronic Travel Authority (NZeTA) before departure. If you are a New Zealand or Australian citizen with a valid passport, you are exempt from the NZeTA requirement. This document will be valid for up to two years accompanied by a valid passport. Note: no airline will be able to board passengers who do not possess a valid NZeTA from October 1, 2019.
Your NZeTA is a legally required document that you must have with you upon boarding any aircraft headed to New Zealand. If you are transiting to any other airport in New Zealand – Auckland International Airport is the only airport with transit facilities within New Zealand – you’d have to clear immigration and re-check in for your next flight, which means you’d officially be entering New Zealand and would also pay an IVL fee.
You can apply for an NZeTA on the Immigration New Zealand website or by downloading the NZeTA application on your Smartphone (Apple or Android).
Upon registering for your visa, the process can take up to 72 hours. It is best to register in a timely fashion so you avoid any issues that could occur and check the website regularly after submitting your visa request.
What You Need When Applying for a New Zealand Travel Visa:
• Valid passport for travel to New Zealand
• An email address for contact
• A debit or credit card for payment
Costs:
When applying via Smartphone, the cost is from NZ$9 to NZ$12 (and is often a faster way to process your ETA). You will also be required to pay for an IVL (International Visitor Levy), which is in place to help support the tourism infrastructure and protect New Zealand’s unique natural environment. The IVL costs NZ$35 and can be paid for at the same time as your travel visa application.
Travellers who need an NZeTA and attempt to travel without one will face disruption to their journey. If you are planning to visit New Zealand, reach out to one of our Destination Specialists today to help secure your NZeTA and finalize your booking.
Find out more information about entry and transit visa requirements here.
Written by: Jason (Destination Specialist)
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