After 1-October, 2019, travellers to New Zealand will need to register and pay an arrival tax before entry to the island nation.
Additionally, on the same date, visitors will be required to register with New Zealand’s new Electronic Travel Authority and paying the International Visitor Conservation and Tourism Levy. Only locals and visitors from Australia will be exempt from both steps.
This is an attempt to improve border security while improving infrastructure and conservation efforts in a nation known for feeling the effects of over tourism. New Zealand offers tourists a diverse array of experiences from the natural world to culturally rich and has seen it inbound numbers sky-rocket in the past decade.
Quite similar to the upcoming European Travel Information and Authorization System, travelers will need to fill out an Electronic Travel Authority (ETA) form online before they can enter New Zealand. Although it is not a visa, the ETA will take approximately 72 hours to get approved and will cost NZD$9 (approximately $8.50CAD); if you register via the mobile app or NZD$12 (about $11.50CAD) through the Immigration NZ website. The ETA is valid for up to two years and towards multiple visits to New Zealand.
Here’s who will need to register for the ETA before landing in New Zealand in the future:
Visitors and anyone in transit from visa waiver countries, this includes Canada The United States, and United Kingdom.
- Cruise ship passengers of any nationality
- Australian permanent residents (non-citizens)
- Any cruise or airline crew members
Travelers with a valid New Zealand visa, New Zealand passport, or Australian passport will not need to register for an ETA. Those who do need to register and are traveling to New Zealand after October 1 will be able to request an ETA starting in July 2019 via the mobile app or website.
In addition, New Zealand will also begin charging most travelers a new International Visitor Conservation and Tourism Levy (IVL) on October 1, to fund infrastructure and conservation projects throughout the country. All international visitors—except for Australians—will be charged NZD$35 (about $33CAD) per person. The government hopes that this new tax will bring in an additional NZD$57-$80 million ($75 million CAD) a year. The new tax will be collected when you apply for an ETA and also will be valid for up to two years and is applicable for multiple visits to New Zealand.