Starting November 3, 2025, New Zealand will test two new border entry schemes that make travel easier for Pacific Islanders and Chinese citizens who are already in Australia. Both groups will be able to enter New Zealand without a visa, as long as they apply for an NZeTA and hold an eligible Australian visa.

What is the NZeTA?

The New Zealand Electronic Travel Authority (NZeTA) is an online travel authorisation. It is required for:

• Citizens of visa-waiver countries
• Passengers transiting through Auckland International Airport

The process is simple: travellers submit an online application, answer security questions, upload a photo, and pay the fee (which includes the International Visitor Conservation and Tourism Levy). Once approved, the NZeTA is valid for two years and allows multiple entries.

• Travel to New Zealand without applying for a visa 
• Stay in New Zealand for up to 3 months at a time  
• Travel to New Zealand multiple times while your NZeTA is valid.
• Transit through New Zealand for up to 24 hours.

It is worth noting that the NZeTA is not a visa, but you can’t board a plane to New Zealand without it if you fall under the required categories.

Easier Entry for Pacific Islanders

For a 12-month trial beginning November 3, 2025, citizens of Pacific Islands Forum member countries can travel from Australia to New Zealand without applying for a visa. Instead, they just need:

• A valid NZeTA (applications open October 27, 2025)
• An eligible Australian visa
• A valid passport

Travellers can stay in New Zealand for up to three months under this arrangement.

The Pacific countries included are:

1. Fiji
2. Kiribati
3. Marshall Islands
4. Micronesia
5. Nauru
6. Palau
7. Papua New Guinea
8. Samoa
9. Solomon Islands
10. Tonga
11. Tuvalu
12. Vanuatu

The Same Deal for Chinese Citizens

Travellets from China will also get access to a similar 12-month pilot program. From November 3, 2025, they will be able to fly from Australia to New Zealand visa-free if they hold both an NZeTA and one of the same eligible Australian visas.

Transit: Starting 27 October 2025, Chinese passport holders can transit through Auckland International Airport with an NZeTA, removing the need for a separate Transit Visa.

NZeTA Requirements for Pacific and Chinese Travellers

In addition to the standard NZeTA process, Pacific nationals and Chinese citizens joining the pilot program need to meet these conditions:

You must:

• Travel to New Zealand directly from Australia
• Hold a passport from China or a Pacific Islands Forum country
• Carry a valid Australian visa from the approved list (still valid at check-in)
• Apply for and hold a valid NZeTA

To qualify for an NZeTA, you also need to:

• Be in good health
• Meet character requirements
• Have a genuine purpose for visiting New Zealand
• Show proof of sufficient funds for your stay
• Hold on to travel plans or a return ticket

Eligible Australian Visas

The trial is limited to people who already hold certain Australian visas. The list includes popular categories like:

Business, Investment, and Skilled Visas

• UR160 – Business Owner (Provisional)
• UR161 – Senior Executive (Provisional)
• UR162 – Investor (Provisional)
• UR163 – State/Territory Sponsored Business Owner (Provisional)
• UR164 – State/Territory Sponsored Senior Executive (Provisional)
• UR165 – State/Territory Sponsored Investor (Provisional)
• EB188 – Business Innovation and Investment (Provisional)
• UC457 – Business (Long Stay)
• GK482 – Skills in Demand
• VF476 – Skilled – Recognised Graduate
• VC485 – Temporary Graduate
• SP489 – Skilled Regional (Provisional)
• PS491 – Skilled Work Regional (Provisional)
• PE494 – Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (Provisional)

Family and Partner Visas

• UT173 – Contributory Parent (Temporary)
• TO300 – Prospective Marriage
• UF309 – Partner (Provisional)
• TK445 – Dependent Child
• UP461 – New Zealand Citizen Family Relationship
• UK820 – Partner Visa (Temporary)
• GH870 – Sponsored Parent
• UU884 – Contributory Aged Parent

Work, Holiday, and Training Visas

• GA400 – Temporary Work (Short Stay Specialist)
• GF407 – Training
• TQ410 – Retirement
• TZ417 – Working Holiday
• US462 – Work and Holiday

Student and Guardian Visas

• TU500 – Student
• TU590 – Student Guardian

Visitor Visas

• FA600 – Visitor
• TV651 – eVisitor

Other Retirement/Investor Visas

• UY405 – Investor Retirement

(Full details are available on the New Zealand Immigration website.)

Other Requirements Still Apply

Even with the relaxed entry rules, travellers must complete a New Zealand Traveller Declaration (NZTD) within 24 hours before departure. This online form covers customs, health, and security details.

Immigration officials recommend applying for the NZeTA at least 72 hours before travel to avoid last-minute issues, though approvals often come through faster.

Why This Matters

New Zealand is making a deliberate move to smooth travel from its Pacific neighbours and China, two groups with strong ties to both New Zealand and Australia. If the trial works well, it could pave the way for wider adoption in the future.

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