Quick answer

Americans don't need a visa for short visits to New Zealand, but do need an NZeTA (New Zealand Electronic Travel Authority) before travel, plus New Zealand's International Visitor Levy (IVL). Both are paid together: NZD 117 in the official app (NZD 17 plus the NZD 100 levy) or NZD 123 on the official website. The NZeTA is valid for 2 years, for multiple visits of up to 3 months. Allow up to 72 hours for approval.

Use only the official app or website. Third-party sites charge more for the same NZeTA.

What Americans need to visit New Zealand

  • A U.S. passport valid for at least 3 months after you plan to leave New Zealand: Passport validity checker →
  • An approved NZeTA, with the levy paid.
  • A return or onward ticket, and enough money for your stay.
  • New Zealand's free digital arrival declaration, completed before you land.

What the NZeTA allows

  • Visits of up to 3 months at a time, and no more than 6 months in any 12.
  • Valid for 2 years, or until your passport expires, for multiple trips.
  • Cruise passengers need one too.
  • Transit through Auckland also needs an NZeTA, but without the visitor levy.

Visiting Australia too? Americans need an ETA there as well: see Australia ETA.

App or website?

Official appOfficial website
NZeTA feeNZD 17NZD 23
Visitor levy (IVL)NZD 100NZD 100
TotalNZD 117NZD 123

The app is cheaper, and lets you apply for up to 10 people, for example your family, at once.

What you'll need

  • Your passport, and a photo of your face (taken in the app, or uploaded online);
  • An email address;
  • A card for the fee and levy.

Step by step

  1. Download the official NZeTA app, published by Immigration New Zealand, or go to the official website, nzeta.immigration.govt.nz.
  2. Scan or enter your passport details exactly as printed.
  3. Add your photo.
  4. Answer the questions about your trip and background.
  5. Pay the NZeTA fee and the NZD 100 levy together.
  6. Wait for approval by email, allowing up to 72 hours, before you travel.

Common mistakes to avoid

  • Paying a third-party website. Apply only in the official app or at nzeta.immigration.govt.nz.
  • Applying too late. Allow up to 72 hours.
  • Forgetting the arrival declaration. It's separate from the NZeTA, and free.
  • A passport with less than 3 months left after your departure. If it needs renewing, we can expedite it as quickly as 4 business days from when your documents reach us.

Questions

No visa for visits of up to 3 months, but you need an NZeTA and the visitor levy before you travel.