Is NZeTA a work visa?
No. It is an electronic permission for visa-free visitors and transit. Work needs AEWV or a WHV.
Passport Atlas
New Zealand travel, immigration and PR
New Zealand uses NZeTA for visa-free visitors, a skills-shortage list and Accredited Employer work visas for jobs, then a resident visa and a permanent travel condition as two steps.
TravelImmigrationPermanent residence
Openness rank
#157
Entry openness
61
Visa free
1
Briefing updated
2026-09
Country profile
Capital
Wellington
Population
5.3 million
Area
268,680 km²
Currency
New Zealand dollar NZD
Languages
English, Māori, New Zealand Sign Language
Time zone
UTC+13:00–UTC+13:45
Foreign-born
1.5 million · 2024
Migrant share
28.2%
Ethnic groups · 2018
- European64.1%
- Maori16.5%
- other13.7%
- Chinese4.9%
- Indian4.7%
- Samoan3.9%
- Other7.5%
Foreign-born counts are UN international migrant stock via the World Bank (mostly 2024). Ethnic groups follow each country's published categories — most do not census by skin colour. Indicative only.
Entry visas and immigration pathsPassport visa-free listPaperwork and passport photosVisa siteImmigration site
Who this handbook is for
For travel, WHV, employer-sponsored skilled workers, and resident-visa holders lining up a permanent travel condition.
How to visit, and for how long
Visa-free passports obtain NZeTA before boarding and pay the IVL. Chinese passports usually need a visitor visa. Stays are often three months; visitors cannot work.
How to work or reside
The main work product is the Accredited Employer Work Visa, tied to green/red-list logic. Straight to Residence or Work to Residence moves shortage roles onto a resident visa. Study can lead to a post-study work visa.
PR and citizenship
A resident visa is first; a permanent resident visa (permanent travel condition) often follows after about two years. Citizenship usually needs five years’ residence. Confirm with INZ.
Time to PR：Residence on grant; Permanent Resident Visa after presence conditions
How popular passports enter
FAQ
Is a NZ resident visa already PR?
A resident visa lets you settle, but travel conditions may expire. The permanent resident visa removes that limit — that is PR in ordinary speech.
Does a Chinese passport need a visa?
On this site’s matrix the result is “Visa required”. confirm length of stay with the destination. The port and mission are authoritative.
Does a US passport need a visa?
On this site’s matrix the result is “eTA”. typical stay on the matrix is 90 days. The port and mission are authoritative.
Related destination guides
CanadaHandbooks summarise public sources so you can cross-check the visa matrix and policy playbooks. They are not legal advice. Quotas, stay lengths and visa-free lists move — confirm with the destination government and its missions before you travel or file.