Are you planning to travel to New Zealand but don’t want to go through the hassle of acquiring a visa? Fortunately, the Land of the Long White Cloud has a list of visa waiver countries whose citizens are exempt from obtaining a visa before entering the country. In this article, we’ll give you all the information you need about visa waiver countries NZ.
What is a Visa Waiver Program?
A visa waiver program is a government policy that allows citizens of certain countries to enter another country for a specified period without the need for a visa. Instead of a visa, a traveler receives an electronic travel authorization, which is linked to their passport and allows them to enter the country.
What are Visa Waiver Countries?
Visa waiver countries are those whose citizens are allowed to enter New Zealand without a visa. Currently, there are 60 visa waiver countries that are eligible for the New Zealand Electronic Travel Authority (NZeTA), which is required for travelers who are exempt from obtaining a visa.
Who is Eligible for Visa Waiver?
To be eligible for visa waiver, you must be a citizen of a visa waiver country and meet the following criteria:
- Intend to stay in New Zealand for less than 3 months
- Not have tuberculosis
- Not have been convicted of any criminal offense
List of Visa Waiver Countries NZ
Here is a complete list of visa waiver countries whose citizens can enter New Zealand without a visa:
- Austria
- Belgium
- Brazil
- Brunei
- Bulgaria
- Canada
- Chile
- Croatia
- Cyprus
- Czech Republic
- Denmark
- Estonia
- Finland
- France
- Germany
- Greece
- Hong Kong
- Hungary
- Iceland
- Ireland
- Israel
- Italy
- Japan
- Korea (South)
- Latvia
- Liechtenstein
- Lithuania
- Luxembourg
- Macau
- Malaysia
- Malta
- Mauritius
- Mexico
- Netherlands
- Norway
- Oman
- Poland
- Portugal
- Qatar
- Romania
- Singapore
- Slovakia
- Slovenia
- Spain
- Sweden
- Switzerland
- Taiwan
- Thailand
- United Arab Emirates
- United Kingdom
- United States of America
- Uruguay
How to Apply for an NZeTA
To apply for an NZeTA, visit the official website of the New Zealand government’s immigration department. You will need to provide your personal details, passport information, and answer some health and security questions. The NZeTA costs NZD $9 through the website and NZD $12 if you use the official mobile app.
Benefits of Visa Waiver Countries NZ
Traveling to New Zealand without a visa has several benefits, including:
- No need to worry about visa application processing time
- Less paperwork and documentation required
- Shorter processing time at immigration checkpoints
- Extended visa-free stay from 30 to 90 days for most countries
Conclusion
Now that you know all about visa waiver countries NZ, you can plan your trip to New Zealand without worrying about visa applications. Just make sure you apply for the NZeTA before your trip and meet all the eligibility criteria for visa waiver. Happy travels!
