As a good neighbor and good friend of Australia, New Zealand has been implementing a visa-free policy to Australia`s citizen and Australia`s PR.
It can be said that the two countries are free to come and go and are very convenient.
However, if Australia PR wants to travel to New Zealand in the future, it will not be able to continue to enjoy visa-free treatment!
Not only that, but also pay an international tourist environmental protection and tourism tax (IVL)!
The New Zealand Immigration Service issued a notice the day before yesterday (6 th) confirming the details of this year`s implementation of ETA (Electronic Travel Authority).
In February, New Zealand`s government confirmed for the first time that it would introduce ETA (e-Travel Certificate). The new security and convenience measures aim to improve the efficiency of border inspection and speed up passengers entering and leaving the country.
In addition, the implementation of electronic travel permits has the following five important objectives:
1. Enhancing security and reducing migration risk 2. Addressing smuggling and biosafety risks 3. Improve passenger experience 4. Support for New Zealand`s international relations and agreements 5. Starting from July 2019, passengers can begin to apply for government from Oct. 1, 2019, which will become a mandatory requirement, according to a new announcement for adapting to the current needs of ETA, stakeholders and travellers.
Who needs to apply for ETA??
From October 1, 2019, visitors from 60 New Zealand visa-free countries will need to hold ETA. before they travel to New Zealand.
All passengers arriving in New Zealand through airlines and all cruise ships are included as a means of travel.
One ETA application is valid for two years, via mobile APP: $9 (about A $9), and via a web browser: $12 (about A $12).
Do transit passengers need to apply for ETA if they only transfer from New Zealand and do not enter New Zealand? The answer is, also need to apply!
Crew all airline crew and cruise crew are also required to apply for crew ETA. before travelling to New Zealand The crew`s ETA is valid for five years at a cost of $9 (about A $9).
Who can exempt ETA??
New Zealand citizen and valid New Zealand visa holders (including residence visas and temporary visas) will not require ETA to enter New Zealand. Australia`s citizen also does not need to apply for an ETA, but Australian permanent residence visa holders (PR, Australia) are not exempt.
Other exemptions include:
- Crew and passengers on non-cruise ships
- The crew of a foreign ship carrying cargo.
- Guest at government, New Zealand
- People travelling under the Antarctic Treaty
- Members of the military visiting New Zealand.
What information is required to apply for ETA?
Name and birthday
Passport details
contact way
Some personal statements, such as explanations of the history of criminal offences and the purpose of travel.
Biometric information (passport photo is required if you need to pass through the customs automatic identification system)
In addition to ETA, `s future international tourism to New Zealand, there is a need to pay an additional international tourist environmental protection and tourism tax (IVL)
What is IVL? The tax on tourists was set in September 2018 and will be formally levied in July 2019 at a charge of $35 (about A $35).
New Zealand Tourism minister Kelvin Davis says:
"it is only fair that they (international tourists) make a small contribution so that we can provide them with the infrastructure they need to better protect the natural landscape they like."
The new tax is expected to unload $80 million a year from international tourists for environmental protection and spot maintenance.
The validity of IVL will be synchronized with that of ETA.
Who needs to apply for IVL??
As we all know, visitors entering New Zealand are divided into two categories: visa-free and visa-free:
- Visa-free (such as Chinese tourists): tourism tax IVL will be directly reflected in the visa fee, to put it plainly that the visa fee to increase the price!
- Visa-free: visitors from countries, such as the United States and Germany, who enter New Zealand without visa, are required to pay this IVL travel tax together when they apply for ETA e-signature before departure.
All in all, foreigners have to pay these two charges for IVL ETA.
Who can exempt IVL??
Both Australia`s citizen and Australia`s permanent residents, known as Australia`s PR, are exempt from the IVL tourism tax.
This is the New Zealand government for the Australian people to open a "green channel" ah.
Other exemptions include:
- Crew and passengers on non-cruise ships
- The crew of a foreign ship carrying cargo.
- Guest at government, New Zealand
- People travelling under the Antarctic Treaty
- Members of the military visiting New Zealand.
Finally, I would like to give you a few points:
After July this year, citizen, Australia, goes to New Zealand as usual, and there is no extra charge! PR, Australia, only has to apply for $9 for ETA, to go to New Zealand ($12 for the website). China citizen to New Zealand, apply for ETA, to pay an application fee of $9 (website application of $12), and pay IVL travel tax of $35!
In short, for most tourists, travel to New Zealand is going to increase the price again! Although the price is not very expensive, but to save money, you have to hurry to go to New Zealand before July ~ if there are any questions related to ETA, please send it directly to: ETA.information@mbie.govt.nz
