New Zealand collects its arrival information through the New Zealand Traveller Declaration (NZTD). Everyone travelling into New Zealand must complete one — including New Zealand passport holders. It is free.
When you can submit it
- Flying: from 24 hours before you start your trip to New Zealand
- By sea: from 24 hours before the vessel leaves its last foreign port
Doing it before you fly is easier than filling in a paper declaration on board, and it means you are not trying to recall an address or a flight number while queuing.
What it asks for
- Passport details and your contact address in New Zealand
- Travel details and where you have been in the last 30 days
- Your visa or NZeTA status
- Your customs and biosecurity declarations
It is not the same thing as an NZeTA
The NZeTA is requested once and lasts 2 years. The Traveller Declaration is completed for every arrival. Having one does not replace the other, and the declaration is free while the NZeTA is not.
Source: New Zealand Traveller Declaration
A false or incorrect declaration carries an instant fine of NZD $400. If you are unsure whether something needs declaring, declare it — there is no penalty for declaring an item that turns out to be fine.
More on the NZeTA
What is the NZeTA
The NZeTA is a pre-travel authorisation for visa-waiver passports, not a visa. What it covers, who needs one, and what it does not do.
How to apply
Applying takes about ten minutes in the official app (NZ$17) or on the Immigration New Zealand website (NZ$23). Here is the order of the steps and what trips people up.
Cost
The NZeTA request fee is NZ$17 in the app or NZ$23 online, plus the NZ$100 IVL — about NZ$117–NZ$123 in total.
What you need
A valid passport, a photo of your face, an email address and a payment card. What the photo has to look like and what else is asked.
Processing time
Most NZeTA requests are decided in minutes, but Immigration New Zealand asks you to allow up to 72 hours. What makes an application take longer.
Validity
An NZeTA lasts 2 years from the date it is issued, or until your passport expires — whichever comes first — and allows multiple entries.