NZeTA fees and the IVL: what travellers should separate

Two charges that should not be confused

The New Zealand Electronic Travel Authority and the International Visitor Conservation and Tourism Levy are related in the payment journey, but they are not the same charge. Immigration New Zealand currently lists the NZeTA at NZD 17 through the official mobile app or NZD 23 through the official website. The IVL is NZD 100 where it applies.

Adding the amounts into one universal “NZeTA price” can mislead travellers because the IVL does not apply to everyone. The correct total depends on the passport, reason for travel and immigration route.

Who may need an NZeTA

Immigration New Zealand explains that NZeTA use depends on the passport, how the traveller is arriving and whether the person is visiting or only transiting. It is used by specified visa-waiver visitors, cruise passengers, transit passengers and Australian permanent residents in relevant circumstances.

Australian citizens do not need an NZeTA. Australian permanent residents normally do, but their residence and IVL treatment need separate checking. Some travellers from visa-waiver or transit-waiver countries can use the authority, while others need a visa.

This is why a nationality list alone is not always enough for a confident result. ETAApply sends unusual or insufficiently verified combinations to Immigration New Zealand’s official guidance.

When the IVL applies

The NZD 100 IVL applies to many visitors and to several visa categories. Official exemptions include travellers using an Australian or New Zealand passport, many Pacific passport holders, qualifying transit passengers, New Zealand resident visa holders, Australian Resident Visa holders and certain other categories.

The exemption question should be checked independently of NZeTA eligibility. A person can need an NZeTA but be exempt from the IVL, or use a different visa route with its own levy treatment.

Passport, timing and entry checks

Use the same passport for the NZeTA request and travel. The authority is electronically linked to that document. If the passport is replaced, recheck the requirement and obtain a new authority where necessary.

Immigration New Zealand says to allow 72 hours. Further investigation can take longer, so the published period is not a guaranteed decision time. Request the authority before departure and verify the status instead of submitting a duplicate request when an expected email does not arrive immediately.

For travellers, the NZeTA is generally valid for 2 years and can be used for multiple journeys. The usual visitor stay is up to 3 months at a time, or up to 6 months for UK citizens, within the overall limit of 6 months in a 12-month period.

An NZeTA does not itself grant entry. Travellers must still meet visitor requirements, including character, health, genuine-visitor, funds and onward-travel conditions where applicable.

Use official channels

Use Immigration New Zealand’s official website or app. An intermediary cannot promise priority government processing. ETAApply provides free explanations and direct government links; it does not request an NZeTA, collect a passport or take payment for this service.