Electronic travel authorisations look interchangeable from the outside. They are not. Each country runs its own scheme, with its own eligibility list, its own price, and its own idea of what the document even is — some are visas, some explicitly are not.
This page is a map of which is which. For New Zealand, the scheme is the NZeTA, and it costs NZ$117 in total (NZ$17 application plus the NZ$100 levy).
One rule holds everywhere: you apply on the government's own site, and no agency can make a decision arrive faster. Sites charging several times the official fee are filling in the same form for you.
New Zealand — NZeTA
Required before you board if your passport qualifies for the visa waiver. Costs NZ$117 in total: the NZ$17 application fee plus the NZ$100 conservation and tourism levy. Valid 2 years. It is not a visa.
Australia — eVisitor or ETA
Australia uses two schemes depending on the passport. eVisitor (subclass 651) is a visa and is free. The ETA (subclass 601) is the paid alternative and is applied for in the official app.
South Korea — K-ETA
⚠️ Many nationalities are temporarily exempt from the K-ETA at present, so the first question is whether you need one at all rather than how to apply.
United Kingdom — ETA
Covers visits of up to 6 months to the UK, Jersey, Guernsey and the Isle of Man. GOV.UK states the cost as £20. Applied for through the official service.
Source: GOV.UK — Apply for an electronic travel authorisation (ETA)
United States — ESTA, and Canada — eTA
Both run comparable schemes for visa-waiver travellers. We are not quoting their fees here, because we could not confirm the current figures against the official sources while writing this page, and an out-of-date price is worse than none. Check the official sites directly — and only the official sites.
- United States: esta.cbp.dhs.gov
- Canada: canada.ca (Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada)
The mistakes that actually cost people money
- Assuming one authorisation covers a multi-country trip. Each destination is separate, including a stopover where you leave the airport.
- Assuming it is a visa. Some are, some are not, and the difference decides what you may do once you are there.
- Assuming the price is the price. Several schemes add a separate levy or charge a different amount depending on how you apply.
- Applying through a paid intermediary in the belief it is faster. It is the same form and the same decision.
Check your own passport, not a summary
Eligibility lists change, and holding two passports often means two different answers. Every scheme above publishes an official checker. Use it for the passport you will actually travel on.
More on the NZeTA
Arriving in New Zealand
Your NZeTA gets you on the plane. What comes after: eGates, biosecurity, money, driving, phones, health, safety and holidays — from official sources.
eGate at the border
eGates at Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch and Queenstown take ePassports from 59 countries and territories, age 10 and over. The NZTD is still required.
Liquids at airport security
International flights from New Zealand: liquids in carry-on in 100 ml containers, one 1-litre bag. Domestic flights have no liquid limits.
Money, cards and tipping
New Zealand uses the NZ dollar. Prices include 15% GST or must say they don't, tipping is not expected, and cash of NZD $10,000 or more must be declared.
GST refund for tourists
New Zealand has no GST refund for visitors. You can only avoid the 15% GST when you buy: duty-free shops, export by the retailer, or airside delivery.
Phones and SIM cards
To use the local network you need a New Zealand SIM. Coverage is good in towns but patchy in rural areas. 111 is free even without credit.