Traveling to New Zealand will soon take another step – and a few more dollars.
Beginning Tuesday, Oct., 1, 2019, New Zealand will require almost all travelers to obtain a New Zealand Electronic Travel Authority permit – or an NZeTA, as its government calls them. You can request an NZeTA via the New Zealand government online, or through its smartphone app.
These new, visa-like applications will cost most U.S.-based travelers $47: $12 for the ETA itself, and another mandatory $35 that New Zealand levies on most tourists. You can cut that down to $44 by applying via the smartphone app. The applications will take between 10 minutes to 72 hours, for approval according to the New Zealand government.
These ETAs are good for two years, and will work for multiple entries into New Zealand.
Only citizens from New Zealand, Australia, and travelers transiting through Auckland (AKL) are exempt from these new restrictions.
Bottom Line
It's no reason to curtail your travels, but traveling from the U.S. to New Zealand is about to require one more step. Similar restrictions are being put in place to head for Europe, so these new restrictions for New Zealand aren't surprising.
