Tourism Levy Change

If you have overseas visitors coming for a visit or plan on making a trip to New Zealand as a tourist prior to making the move, it just got a little more complicated. Starting on October 1, if you’re travelling on a passport from a visa waiver country (which includes the US!) you will need to get a New Zealand Electronic Travel Authority (NZeTA). If you’re travelling from a country that requires a visa to visit New Zealand, you will go through the visa process per usual.

There are two ways to get this: an online form, or through the NZeTA mobile app. I easily found the app searching for NZeTA. It’s free, but has poor reviews. For both methods, it is recommended you request the NZeTA at least 72 hours before the trip, though approval may only take about 10 minutes. In addition to the NZeTA (which costs NZ$9 from the app, but NZ$12 online) you’ll be charged NZ$35 for the International Visitor Conservation and Tourism Levy (IVL). If you’re just passing through (otherwise known as being a transit passenger) you won’t be charged the IVL, but you still need to have the NZeTA.

Here’s what to expect when you go through the online form:

I know there will be some people who have travelled to New Zealand in the past who may be surprised by this change. Don’t get caught off guard as they won’t let you into the country without it!