NEW ZEALAND: ETA REQUIRED FOR TRAVEL
Like the ESTA in the USA or the eTA in Canada, New Zealand will soon be introducing its own electronic travel authorization for travelers wishing to visit the land of the kiwi: the eTA New Zealand. To travel to New Zealand with this authorization, a number of criteria must be met: explanations.
Since October 1, 2019, a tax has been imposed on travelers wishing to visit New Zealand. This tax, the IVL (International Visitor Conservation and Tourism Levy), is required when the traveler applies for eTA NZ, the electronic travel authorization for New Zealand.
The eTA NZ travel authorization (also known as Visa Waiver Visitor Visa), dates from July 2019, and allows nationals of certain countries, including France, Belgium and Switzerland, to travel to New Zealand without having to apply for a visa.
On the one hand, it was put in place to facilitate the growing number of millions of visitors every year, by reducing border waiting times, while at the same time reinforcing the country’s internal security. North American countries introduced their own travel authorizations more than 10 years ago, with the ESTA for the USA and the eTA for Canada.
On the other hand, the country is already feeling the consequences of excessive tourism, as it is being hit by an ever-increasing wave of tourists. The IVL tax could provide a partial remedy, enabling tourists to contribute directly to the protection and improvement of tourist facilities and the environment.
CONDITIONS FOR OBTAINING ETA NEW ZEALAND
To obtain the New Zealand eTA, several conditions must be met. First of all, you’ll need a valid passport, and as we’ve already mentioned, you’ll need to be a citizen of one of the countries exempt from New Zealand visa requirements. Currently, nationals from 60 countries around the world can apply for an eTA New Zealand.
To qualify for the NZ eTA, you’ll need to plan a trip of up to three months, for tourism, to see friends, or for transit. British nationals can travel for up to six months. Finally, please note that Australian travelers are not affected by this authorization to stay in New Zealand, so they can continue to visit the land of the Maoris freely.
The cost of obtaining a New Zealand Electronic Travel Authorization is :
- 9 $NZD for requests via the mobile application ;
- 12NZD for applications via the online form on the official website.
To this application fee must be added the NZ$35 IVL tax. This tax will be applied to all travelers, with or without a New Zealand eTA. Once obtained, the eTA NZ visa waiver will be valid for two years.