The Government has recently announced the implementation of the New Zealand Electronic Travel Authority (NZeTA) and the International Visitor Conservation and Tourism Levy (IVL). Currently, visitors from visa waiver countries are only required to provide minimal information at check in and cruise ship passengers and crew have no screening. Due to the increase in numbers of each category of these visitors to New Zealand and to increase security at the borders, the Government will be collecting more information about these visitors by way of the NZeTA. The IVL will sit alongside the NZeTA and most overseas visitors will also need pay to the IVL.

From 1 October 2019, all air travellers from 60 visa waiver countries and all cruise ship travellers will be required to hold a NZeTA prior to travelling to New Zealand (regardless of whether New Zealand is their final destination or not). It will last up to two years and cost either NZD$9.00 or NZD$12.00 depending on how the request is made. In the same way, airline and cruise ship crew will be required to obtain a crew Electronic Travel Authority. This lasts up to five years and the cost will be NZD$9.00.

Requests for a NZeTA can be made from 1 July 2019 and will become mandatory for travel from 1 October 2019.

Persons exempt from needing a NZeTA include New Zealand citizens (travelling on New Zealand passports), valid New Zealand temporary and resident class visa holders and Australian citizens.

From 1 July 2019, most overseas visitors coming to New Zealand on a temporary basis will also need to pay the IVL. This will cost NZD$35.00 and will generally be collected alongside the visa application or NZeTA fee. The most notable exceptions to the IVL are New Zealand citizens and residents, Australian citizens and permanent residents and persons from many Pacific Island countries.

The content of this article is intended to provide a general guide to the subject matter. Specialist advice should be sought about your specific circumstances.