Update on NZeTAs and changing passport rules

Recent changes to travel and passport requirements have caused confusion for some travellers, particularly dual citizens. Questions about New Zealand electronic Travel Authorities (NZeTAs), passport use, and overseas entry rules have been coming up more frequently, especially following new requirements announced by the United Kingdom.

This update explains how the NZeTA works, why it was introduced, and how it differs from recent changes to UK passport rules that affect some New Zealand residents.

What the NZeTA is and why it exists

Most people travelling to New Zealand do not need a visa and instead travel on a New Zealand electronic Travel Authority, known as an NZeTA. The NZeTA was introduced in 2019 to strengthen border security and bring New Zealand’s systems in line with international travel standards.

The NZeTA is mandatory for:

• travellers from visa-waiver countries arriving by air or cruise ship
• cargo and cruise crew
• Australian permanent residents travelling on a non-Australian passport

Australian citizens travelling on an Australian passport do not need an NZeTA.

Since its introduction, more than 7.2 million NZeTAs have been approved, including over 1.6 million in the 2024–2025 financial year alone. Most applications are processed within 72 hours, often sooner.

An NZeTA is valid for two years. It is not a visa, but it allows a traveller to board transport to New Zealand, where a visitor visa is then granted at the border if entry requirements are met.

Recent changes for travellers transiting from Australia

As part of a trial introduced in late 2025, some travellers can now use an NZeTA rather than a visa when coming to New Zealand from Australia.

This applies to:

• Chinese passport holders with an eligible Australian visa
• some Pacific Islands Forum passport holders

These travellers can visit New Zealand for up to three months using an NZeTA, and Chinese travellers can also use an NZeTA to transit through New Zealand instead of applying for a transit visa.

What the UK passport change is about

Separate from New Zealand’s NZeTA rules, the United Kingdom has introduced changes to its own entry requirements.

From early 2026, British citizens must enter the UK on a British passport. This affects some dual UK–New Zealand citizens who were previously able to travel to the UK on a New Zealand passport, sometimes using a UK electronic travel authorisation.

This is a UK decision, not a New Zealand one, and it reflects a broader global tightening of passport and border controls. Similar rules already apply in countries such as Canada.

For affected travellers, this means:

• holding and travelling on the correct passport is essential
• relying on past travel arrangements may no longer be sufficient
• last-minute checks are increasingly risky

Why this matters for travellers

While the NZeTA has not fundamentally changed, the wider travel environment has. Governments are placing greater emphasis on passport nationality, identity verification, and advance screening.

For travellers, especially dual citizens, this makes it more important to:

• confirm which passport must be used for each country of entry
• understand whether an NZeTA, ETA, or visa applies
• check country entry requirements well before travel

Assumptions based on previous trips can lead to problems at check-in or at the border.

A note of caution

Immigration New Zealand has also warned of an increase in phone scams, where callers pretend to be from INZ and request personal or payment information. These calls are not genuine. Official NZeTA applications should only be made through the Immigration New Zealand website or app.

Getting the right advice

Travel and immigration rules are increasingly interconnected, particularly for people with more than one citizenship. Understanding how passport rules, electronic authorities, and visa-waiver systems interact can help avoid unnecessary disruption.

If you are unsure which travel authorisation applies to your situation, or how recent changes may affect you, our advisers can help clarify the requirements and next steps.