US passport · New Zealand
Do US citizens need a visa for New Zealand?
In brief
No visa, but an online authorisation: US passport holders need an online travel authorisation before they travel to New Zealand (3 months).
NZeTA fee for US citizens: An NZeTA costs NZD 17 in the official app or NZD 23 on the INZ website, plus the non-refundable International Visitor Conservation and Tourism Levy (IVL) of NZD 100, paid together. NZD 17 ≈ USD 9.42, NZD 23 ≈ USD 13, NZD 100 ≈ USD 55 at the ECB rate of . Official fee. Source: Immigration New Zealand, checked .
NZeTA processing time for US citizens: Allow up to 72 hours for the NZeTA decision; checks can take longer if INZ needs to investigate. Source: Immigration New Zealand, checked , read from an archived copy of 13 Oct 2026.
Conditions: NZeTA before travel; not for medical treatment.
A person travelling to New Zealand visa waiver is required to hold an Electronic Travel Authority (ETA) unless exempt (see E12 Electronic Travel Authority).
Immigration New Zealand (MBIE)
Checked 1 Nov 2026Source: Immigration New Zealand (MBIE)Apply only at nzeta.immigration.govt.nzReport a change
Independent reference, not a government website. We don't issue visas or sell visa services.
ContentsIn brief
At a glance
| Access | ETA · 3 monthsNZeTA before travel; not for medical treatment. |
|---|---|
| Stay | 3 months |
| Validity and entries | An NZeTA is valid for 2 years and covers multiple visits.3 |
| Official fee | An NZeTA costs NZD 17 in the official app or NZD 23 on the INZ website, plus the non-refundable International Visitor Conservation and Tourism Levy (IVL) of NZD 100, paid together.2 |
| Official processing | Allow up to 72 hours for the NZeTA decision; checks can take longer if INZ needs to investigate.3 |
| Where to apply | Request the NZeTA only on the official NZeTA website or app; the app is cheaper and takes up to 10 people at once.3Official site: nzeta.immigration.govt.nz |
Do US citizens need a visa for New Zealand?
Immigration New Zealand (MBIE) lists the US among the countries whose nationals need an online travel authorisation before they travel. Stay: 3 months. Conditions: NZeTA before travel; not for medical treatment.
“A person travelling to New Zealand visa waiver is required to hold an Electronic Travel Authority (ETA) unless exempt (see E12 Electronic Travel Authority).”
Conditions and exceptions
Your passport must be valid for at least 3 months after you leave New Zealand, and you need at least NZD 1,000 a month (NZD 400 if accommodation is prepaid).
If you are visiting New Zealand, you must have at least NZD $1,000 a month, or NZD $400 a month if you have already paid for your accommodation. ... Your passport must be valid for at least 3 months after the date you intend to leave New Zealand.
Immigration New Zealand · checked · read from an archived copy of 13 Oct 2026
New Zealand visa types for US citizens
An NZeTA is valid for 2 years and covers multiple visits.
Immigration New Zealand · checked · read from an archived copy of 13 Oct 2026US citizens can visit for up to 3 months at a time (6 months is only for UK citizens) and no more than 6 months in any 12-month period.
Immigration New Zealand · checked · read from an archived copy of 13 Oct 2026
How to apply
Request the NZeTA only on the official NZeTA website or app; the app is cheaper and takes up to 10 people at once.
Immigration New Zealand · checked · read from an archived copy of 13 Oct 2026
Fee
An NZeTA costs NZD 17 in the official app or NZD 23 on the INZ website, plus the non-refundable International Visitor Conservation and Tourism Levy (IVL) of NZD 100, paid together.
Immigration New Zealand · checked
These are government fees as the official sources state them. Agencies add their own service fees; those are not visa fees, and we don't list them.
Processing time
Allow up to 72 hours for the NZeTA decision; checks can take longer if INZ needs to investigate.
Immigration New Zealand · checked · read from an archived copy of 13 Oct 2026
Documents and entry checks
What changed
- Checked against the official sources on this page: the rule above still holds.
FAQ
Is New Zealand visa-free for US citizens now?
There is no visa, but US citizens need an online travel authorisation before they travel (3 months). Conditions: NZeTA before travel; not for medical treatment.
How much does a New Zealand visa cost for US citizens?
An NZeTA costs NZD 17 in the official app or NZD 23 on the INZ website, plus the non-refundable International Visitor Conservation and Tourism Levy (IVL) of NZD 100, paid together.
Can I get a New Zealand visa in 7 days?
Allow up to 72 hours for the NZeTA decision; checks can take longer if INZ needs to investigate.
Other trips on a US passport
Sources
Official sources only. Each was checked on the date shown.
- Immigration New Zealand (MBIE): entry rule
- Immigration New Zealand (MBIE): fees
- Immigration New Zealand (MBIE): visa types, processing time, entry conditions and how to apply