Passmere is a private company, not a government agency. This guide is free information, not legal advice. Each fact links to the official source and shows the date we checked it.
Entry requirements
New Zealand entry requirements for U.S. citizens
What a U.S. tourist needs to enter New Zealand: the NZeTA, the fee and visitor levy, how long you can stay, passport rules and arrival checks, with official sources.
What you need to enter New Zealand
U.S. citizens visit New Zealand under its visa waiver program, but they still need an electronic travel authority before they travel. The rule is: under review — see the official source1.
Rules change, and the New Zealand government decides who can enter. Check the official site before you travel.
How to request the NZeTA
The NZeTA information and the request links are on the Immigration New Zealand website, under review — see the official source2. You can request it in the official NZeTA app or with the online form; the app costs less. Type your passport details exactly as they appear in your passport, and request the NZeTA well before your trip.
How long you can stay
U.S. citizens can stay up to under review — see the official source5 per visit.
Rules change, and the New Zealand government decides how long you can stay. Check the official site before you travel.
Passport rules
under review — see the official source7Rules change and the destination government decides, so confirm this on the official site before you travel. If your passport will not meet this rule, renew it before you request the NZeTA and travel. Renewing by mail takes under review — see the official source8 plus mailing time: see Renew your passport by mail. Short on time? under review — see the official source9 Read Urgent travel: getting a passport fast.
Travel advisory
The U.S. Department of State's travel advisory for New Zealand is under review — see the official source6. The level can change at any time. Read the full advisory before you book and again before you go; the link is under "Sources and verification" at the end of this guide.
Arriving in New Zealand
- Food, plants and other risk items: under review — see the official source10
- Phones and laptops: under review — see the official source11
Step by step
- Check that your passport meets the validity rule above.
- Open the request links on the Immigration New Zealand website, or install the official NZeTA app.
- Fill in the request with the details exactly as they appear in your passport.
- Pay the NZeTA fee and the visitor levy together.
- Wait for the NZeTA to be granted before you travel, and keep the confirmation.
- Before you pack, remove food, plants and other risk items, or plan to declare them.
- On arrival, declare risk items or drop them in the amnesty bins.
Checklist
Before you fly to New Zealand
- U.S. passport that meets the validity rule
- NZeTA granted, with the confirmation saved
- NZeTA fee and visitor levy paid
- Return or onward trip inside the time you are allowed to stay
- Bags checked for food, plants and other risk items
- Latest U.S. travel advisory read
- Official site checked again in the week before you fly
Do and don't
Do
- Request the NZeTA only through the official app or the official online form.
- Declare food, plants and other risk items when you arrive.
- Keep your NZeTA confirmation with your travel documents.
Don't
- Don't start your trip to New Zealand without a granted NZeTA.
- Don't hide risk items in your luggage.
- Don't pay a website that offers to request the NZeTA for you at a higher price.
Fees
These are government charges. They are paid to the New Zealand government with your NZeTA request, not to Passmere.
| What | Paid to | Fee |
|---|---|---|
| NZeTA (starting fee; the app costs less than the online form) | New Zealand government (Immigration New Zealand) | under review — see the official source3 |
| International Visitor Conservation and Tourism Levy (IVL) | New Zealand government, with the NZeTA request | under review — see the official source4 |
Charges can change. The official app and online form show the current amounts before you pay.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a visa to visit New Zealand as a tourist?
U.S. tourists visit under the visa waiver program, but the rule is: under review — see the official source1. Rules change, so check the official site before you travel.
What if I pack honey, fruit or seeds?
What is the visitor levy?
under review — see the official source4 is the International Visitor Conservation and Tourism Levy. Most tourists pay it when they request the NZeTA.
Can customs check my phone?
Can I travel with my passport card?
Does Passmere request the NZeTA for me?
No. Passmere is a private company that prepares U.S. passport paperwork; it does not process visas or travel authorities. You request the NZeTA yourself through the official channels.
Sources and verification
- Entry document for tourism — U.S. Department of State: New Zealand International Travel Information. under review — see the official source
- Official application website — U.S. Department of State: New Zealand International Travel Information. under review — see the official source
- Government fee for the NZeTA — Immigration New Zealand (Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment): New Zealand Electronic Travel Authority (NZeTA). under review — see the official source
- International Visitor Levy (IVL) — Immigration New Zealand (Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment): Paying the International Visitor Levy. under review — see the official source
- Maximum stay per visit — Immigration New Zealand (Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment): New Zealand Electronic Travel Authority (NZeTA). under review — see the official source
- U.S. Travel Advisory level — U.S. Department of State: New Zealand Travel Advisory. under review — see the official source
- Passport validity requirement — Immigration New Zealand (Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment): New Zealand Electronic Travel Authority (NZeTA). under review — see the official source
- Routine processing time — U.S. Department of State: Get Your Processing Time. under review — see the official source
- Urgent travel: passport agency appointment — U.S. Department of State: Get Your Passport Fast. under review — see the official source
- Biosecurity declaration on arrival — U.S. Department of State: New Zealand International Travel Information. under review — see the official source
- Inspection of electronic devices — U.S. Department of State: New Zealand International Travel Information. under review — see the official source
- What the passport card is for — U.S. Department of State: Compare a Passport Card and Book. under review — see the official source