There is exciting news for travellers from Pacific Islands Forum countries. Starting November 03, 2025, you can travel to New Zealand from Australia without a visa. However, such travellers will require the New Zealand Electronic Travel Authority (NZeTA) in addition to a valid Australian visa.
Visa-Free Travel to New Zealand
This new visa-free travel initiative began as a pilot project and will continue for one year. Travellers from the 12 Pacific Islands Forum countries can stay in New Zealand for up to three months simply by applying for NZeTA.
Eligibility Countries
As we mentioned, this new change applies to 12 Pacific Islands Forum countries, which include:
- The Federated States of Micronesia
- Fiji
- Kiribati
- Nauru
- Palau
- Papua New Guinea
- Republic of the Marshall Islands
- Samoa
- Solomon Islands
- Tonga
- Tuvalu
- Vanuatu.
It is worth mentioning here that all travellers from Niue and the Cook Islands do not require a visa to enter New Zealand.
Requirements for Visa-Free Travel
Travellers from the countries listed above can enter New Zealand without a visa, but they must meet the following requirements.
- They must be travelling to New Zealand from Australia.
- Have a valid passport from a Pacific Island Forum country.
- Have an eligible Australian visa that is valid when you check in to your flight to New Zealand (this does not include transiting through Australia)
- Have a valid NZeTA.
Eligible Australian Visas
Not all Australian Visas are eligible to enter New Zealand visa-free; you must have one of the following Australian visas.
| Visa Name | Subclass |
|---|---|
| Visitor Visa | 600 |
| Work and Holiday | 462 |
| Temporary Work (Short Stay Specialist) | 400 |
| eVisitor | 651 |
| Working Holiday | 417 |
| Student | 500 |
| Temporary Graduate | 485 |
| Training | 407 |
| Student Guardian | 590 |
| Skills in Demand | 482 |
| Work and Holiday | 462 |
| Temporary Graduate | 485 |
| Temporary Work (Short Stay Specialist) | 400 |
| Skilled Regional (Provisional) | 491 |
| Business Innovation and Investment (Provisional) | 188 |
| Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (Provisional) | 494 |
| Training | 407 |
| Business (Long Stay) | 457 |
| Business Owner (Provisional) | 160 |
| Investor (Provisional) | 162 |
| Senior Executive (Provisional) | 161 |
| Skilled – Recognised Graduate | 476 |
| State/Territory Sponsored Business Owner (Provisional) | 163 |
| State/Territory Sponsored Investor (Provisional) | 165 |
| State/Territory Sponsored Senior Executive (Provisional) | 164 |
| Partner (Temporary) | 820 |
| Partner (Provisional) | 309 |
| Sponsored Parent | 870 |
| New Zealand Citizen Family Relationship | 461 |
| Prospective Marriage | 300 |
| Contributory Parent (Temporary) | 173 |
| Dependent Child | 445 |
| Contributory Aged Parent (Temporary) | 884 |
| Retirement | 410 |
| Investor Retirement | 405 |
Check your Australian visa name and subclass number on your visa grant notification letter or online through Visa Entitlement Verification Online (VEVO).
What is the NZeTA?
The New Zealand Electronic Travel Authority (NZeTA) provides online travel authorisation. It’s required for:
- Citizens from visa-waiver countries
- Passengers transferring through Auckland International Airport
With an NZeTA, you can
- Travel to New Zealand without applying for a visa
- Stay in New Zealand for up to 3 months at a time
- Travel to New Zealand multiple times while your NZeTA is valid (you must be travelling from Australia each time)
- transit through New Zealand for up to 24 hours.
It is important to understand that you cannot work for a New Zealand employer if you arrived on a NZeTA and are visiting.
To get an NZeTA, you must:
- Be in good health
- Have a good character
- Have a genuine reason for visiting New Zealand
- Have enough money to pay your expenses
- Have plans to leave New Zealand at the end of your stay.
How to Apply for NZeTA
Request an NZeTA via the free NZeTA app or through the official INZ website at least 72 hours before you travel, and pay the fees.
Make sure your information is correct and matches the passport you are going with. Please double-check your details before submitting the request.
- You only have to select’submit’ once. To avoid double charges, do not select’submit’ more than once.
- Make sure you request your NZeTA at least 72 hours before your trip.
Traveller Declaration
Apart from the NZeTA, all travellers must complete a New Zealand Traveller Declaration (NZTD) before arriving in New Zealand. One can complete the form online 24 hours before departure.
Final Thoughts
This visa-free travel option allows for closer regional ties between Australia, New Zealand, and the Pacific Islands. For travellers, it offers a simpler and faster way to explore New Zealand. There’s no lengthy visa process, just an NZeTA and a valid Australian visa.
Follow and connect with us on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram and Google News for the latest travel news and updates!