Transit Visa

You will need a Transit Visa if you are passing through Auckland International Airport as a

are not a New Zealand citizen or permanent resident

do not have a valid New Zealand visa

are not an Australian citizen or permanent resident

are not travelling on a passport from a transit visa waiver country or a visa waiver country or territory

are not travelling to or from Australia

are not travelling on a foreign passport that has a New Zealand citizen endorsement

are not a member of, or someone associated with, a scientific programme or expedition under the Contracting Party to the Antarctic Treaty, and

are not a member of a visiting force, including one of its civilian employees, travelling in the ordinary course of your employment or duty.

You can apply for an NZeTA instead of a Transit Visa to pass through New Zealand if you:

are from a visa waiver country or territory or a transit visa waiver country, and

meet our good character requirements.

you can apply for an NZeTA instead of a Transit Visa.

If you have a Chinese passport you can now transit through Auckland International Airport on an NZeTA, instead of a Transit Visa.

You must stay in the transit area of the airport at all times.

You cannot leave the transit area to collect any bags or to stay at a hotel.

You cannot apply for entry permission or any kind of visa while in transit.

Auckland International Airport is the only airport in New Zealand with a transit area.

If you are passing through a New Zealand airport that is not Auckland International Airport, you:

cannot use a Transit Visa

will usually need a visitor visa or an NZeTA that lets you enter New Zealand.

There is no accommodation in the transit area. If you will need accommodation while you wait for your flight, you must get a visa that lets you enter New Zealand before you travel.

As a transit passenger you cannot collect your bags at Auckland International Airport. When you check in for your flight to New Zealand, ask the airline to transfer your bags to your connecting flight. If they cannot do this, go to the International Transit Desk when you arrive in New Zealand to get your bags transferred.

You cannot leave the transit area to collect any bags or to stay at a hotel.

You cannot spend more than 24 hours at a time in transit at Auckland International Airport. You could be prevented from travelling or refused entry permission if your transit is more than 24 hours.

You cannot use a Transit Visa to pass through a different New Zealand Airport that is not Auckland International Airport.

If you need to stay longer or want to visit, you will need to apply for an appropriate visa that lets you enter New Zealand and have it before you arrive.

Transit Visa Application (INZ 1019)

From 1 October 2026, applications for this visa must be submitted through Immigration New Zealand's enhanced Immigration Online system.

NZD $235

details of the flights you are booked on to transit New Zealand

a full travel itinerary

a copy of your travel tickets out of New Zealand

evidence of your travel arrangements — this must include an itinerary that confirms your arrival and departure times from New Zealand

a statement explaining why you are travelling to your destination country.

Your passport or certificate of identity must be valid for at least 3 months after the date you intend to leave New Zealand.

You must make sure you can pass through New Zealand and enter another country on your journey. If you cannot do this, you may not be allowed to board the plane.

a New Zealand Electronic Travel Authority (NZeTA), if you are transiting to or from Australia, or travelling on a passport from a