Do you think to travel to New Zealand? If you’re traveling to New Zealand any time after October 1st, 2019, you’re going to need either an actual visa, or an ETA if you’re from a “visa waiver country”. Basically, if you needed a visa before this date, you still need one. If you didn’t, and could simply hop on a plane, like citizens from the USA, UK, Canada, Singapore, Germany and numerous other countries you’ll now need to fill out the ETA before you do and pay for it too. If you don’t, you won’t be able to board the plane.
There is no need to physically go to an embassy or consulate and the eTA New Zealand online application form only takes a matter of minutes to complete. Although most applications are processed in as little as 1 business day, some applications may take up to 72 business hours to be processed. Once approved, the eTA New Zealand (NZeTA) is sent to the applicant electronically. Once approved, the New Zealand eTA is valid for 2 years and can be used for multiple visits. Applicants are required to pay a small processing fee and tourist tax, the International Visitor Conservation and Tourism Levy (IVL), to obtain the NZ eTA.
All citizens of the following 60 countries need an eTA for New Zealand if arriving by air : Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, United Kingdom, Andorra, Argentina, Bahrain, Brazil, Brunei, Canada, Chile, Hong Kong, Iceland, Israel, Japan, Kuwait, Liechtenstein, Macau, Malaysia, Mauritius, Mexico, Monaco, Norway, Oman, Qatar, San Marino, Saudi Arabia, Seychelles, Singapore, Republic of South Korea, Switzerland, Taiwan, United Arab Emirates, United States, Uruguay, Vatican City. See more details at ETA New Zealand.
Is it worth to visit New Zealand ? I would say a big YES! Top travel locations to visit in New Zealand and eTA application : The Bay of Islands is one of the best places to go in New Zealand for fishing, sailing, and other watersports. The Bay of Islands is about three hours by car from Auckland. This gorgeous region is made up of 144 islands between Cape Brett and the Purerua Peninsula. What’s there to do in the Bay of Islands? Get on or in the water! Try scuba diving with Paihia Dive‘s intro-to-diving course. You will be ferried far out into the bay to explore a whole new underwater world. Or get up close and personal with the marine life in the Bay of Islands on a Fullers GreatSights Dolphin Eco Experience. You’ll get to view dolphins and whales from the boat and, if conditions allow, swim with wild dolphins. Don’t leave the Bay of Islands without seeing the Hole in the Rock, an opening in a rock formation that you can sail through when the tide is right.
On the tumultuous Pacific Ring of Fire, Rotorua is one of the most active geothermal regions in the world. This is a land where the earth speaks. Boiling mud pools, hissing geysers, volcanic craters, and steaming thermal springs betray the forces that birthed much of New Zealand’s dramatic topography. Visitors can take a walking tour of these geothermal wonders, soak in steaming mineral springs, and learn about the region’s rich Maori history and culture. Adventure seekers will also find plenty of things to do. Sky-diving, luging, and mountain biking are some of the activities on offer. Trout fishing is also popular, and Rotorua is the gateway to the ski fields of Mt. Ruapehu. Nearby Wai-O-Tapu is also a popular tourist attraction with colorful hot springs and the famous Champagne Pool and Lady Knox Geyser.
Home to one of New Zealand’s most popular beaches, Mount Maunganui is definitely worth visiting if you’re passing through the Bay of Plenty region. Choose between walking around its namesake mountain, or right to the top; the latter will reward you with wonderful panoramas of the Tauranga Harbour. Middle-earth comes to life at the Hobbiton movie set. A one-hour drive from Auckland will enable you to see the original hobbit holes and several film sites from up close – it’ll almost feel like you’ve stepped into a Tolkien-esque world of your own.