Transiting Auckland: Do You Need an NZeTA?

Transiting Through Auckland: Do You Need an NZeTA?

Which transit passengers need an NZeTA at Auckland Airport, who pays the levy, the 24-hour and airside rules, and what to do if your nationality is not on either list.

Government fee: NZ$123
Decision time: 72 hours
Validity: 2 years or until passport expiry

Facts verified on or after September 23, 2026 against Immigration New Zealand — Request an NZeTA, Immigration New Zealand — NZeTA, Immigration New Zealand — Paying the International Visitor Levy, and Immigration New Zealand — Travellers who do not need an NZeTA

The short answer

If you are changing planes at Auckland International Airport on the way to another country, you most likely need an NZeTA before you board — even if you never leave the transit area. Two groups can transit with an NZeTA instead of a visa: citizens of the visa-waiver countries (the EU, the UK, the US, Canada, Japan, South Korea and others) and citizens of the transit-waiver countries, a second list that includes China, Thailand, the Philippines, Indonesia, Colombia, Peru and most Pacific nations. Everyone else needs a transit visa.

What "transit" means at Auckland

Auckland is the only New Zealand airport with an international transit area. Transiting means arriving and departing from the same airport on the way to a third country, staying airside, and leaving within 24 hours. If your itinerary connects through Wellington or Christchurch, or you want to leave the airport, you are visiting New Zealand and need the visit NZeTA (or a visa) instead.

The transit NZeTA costs less

The official request form asks whether you are "coming to New Zealand to visit" or are "a transit passenger". The answer changes the type of NZeTA you receive and what you pay: transit passengers pay the NZeTA fee only (NZ$23 on the website, NZ$17 in the app) and are exempt from the NZ$100 International Visitor Conservation and Tourism Levy. Selecting the wrong type can mean denied boarding, so answer it for the journey you actually have.

Where to request a transit NZeTA

Charta Visa files visit NZeTAs for visa-waiver nationals; we do not file transit requests today. Make a transit request on the official Immigration New Zealand site or app, and allow up to 72 hours for the decision. If your trip is a visit rather than a connection, see the requirements for your nationality.

Australian passport holders and residents

Australian citizens need neither an NZeTA nor a visa. Australian permanent residents can request an NZeTA whatever their nationality, but it is only valid with a valid travel facility or Resident Return Visa linked to the passport they travel on.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need an NZeTA if I stay in the transit area at Auckland?

Yes, if you are from a visa-waiver or transit-waiver country. The requirement applies even when you do not pass through immigration.

Do transit passengers pay the NZ$100 levy?

No. Transit passengers arriving at and leaving from Auckland International Airport are exempt from the International Visitor Conservation and Tourism Levy and pay only the NZeTA fee.

Can I transit through Wellington or Christchurch on an NZeTA?

Not as a transit passenger — only Auckland has an international transit area. At other airports you are entering New Zealand and need the visit NZeTA or a visa.

My nationality is on neither list. What do I need?

A transit visa, requested through Immigration New Zealand before you travel.

Official sources

Reviewed by the Charta Visa editorial team · Charta Visa is an independent private service and is not affiliated with any government or official authority.