New Zealand Pursuing Electronic Travel Visas
by Richard D’Ambrosio
International visitors coming into Auckland and other New Zealand cities will now be able to apply for travel visas electronically. Photo:
The New Zealand government has begun an examination of introducing electronic visas for international visitors, a move that could streamline arrivals in the increasingly popular tourist destination, while enhancing border security.
Under the new proposal, airline and cruise visitors to New Zealand would complete an electronic form before departure, providing better information about themselves, including things like criminal convictions.
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The New Zealand Electronic Travel Authority (ETA) would cost approximately NZ$9 and be good for two years, said Immigration Minister Iain Lees-Galloway.
“Holding an ETA will help speed up the process at the border as a result of the extra information border staff will have,” Lees-Galloway said, and provide a mechanism for helping collect a proposed NZ$35 International Visitor Levy, concurrently under consideration. Review of an ETA is open to comment through July 15.
Most visitors and transit passengers from countries that do not require a visa to travel to New Zealand would need to hold an ETA.
