New Zealand eTA Eligibility For Canadian Citizens
If you hold a Canadian passport and want to visit New Zealand, you will need a New Zealand eTA (NZeTA) before you travel. If you have ever flown into Canada on the Canadian eTA, the idea will feel familiar: the NZeTA is an online, passport-linked travel authorisation that visa-waiver travellers must have before boarding a flight or cruise — there is no embassy visit and no paper visa.
Here is a quick summary for Canadian travellers, followed by everything you need to know about eligibility, how to apply and what to expect on the journey from Canada to New Zealand.
Yes. Canada is one of the visa-waiver countries whose citizens can visit New Zealand without a traditional visa, but every Canadian traveller must still hold an approved NZeTA linked to their passport before they board. Without it, the airline or cruise line will not allow you to travel. An NZeTA is required for Canadian citizens visiting New Zealand for:
The only Canadians who do not need an NZeTA are those who already hold a valid New Zealand visa. If your purpose is to work, study or receive medical treatment, you will need the appropriate New Zealand visa instead.
The whole process is online and usually takes only a few minutes. Have your Canadian passport and a payment card ready, then:
Most applications are approved within 72 hours, and often much sooner. The approved NZeTA is emailed to you and linked electronically to your passport, so there is nothing to print or collect. If you are travelling as a family, you can add every traveller — including children and infants — to a single application and pay together. For a field-by-field walkthrough, see our application form guide.
On an NZeTA, Canadian citizens can stay for up to 90 days on each visit, with an overall limit of 6 months in any 12-month period. The authority is valid for up to 2 years (or until your passport expires) and allows multiple entries, which makes it ideal if you plan to combine New Zealand with Australia or the Pacific Islands on the same trip. Your passport must remain valid for at least 3 months beyond your intended departure from New Zealand. If you need to stay longer than the NZeTA allows, apply for a New Zealand visitor visa, which permits longer visits. You can review the full conditions on our requirements page.
Is the New Zealand eTA the same as the Canadian eTA?
They work in the same way but are completely separate documents. The NZeTA authorises travel to New Zealand, just as the Canadian eTA authorises travel into Canada. Holding a Canadian eTA has no effect on New Zealand — Canadian citizens still need to obtain an NZeTA and pay the IVL before travelling.
How long is the flight from Canada to New Zealand?
The non-stop Air New Zealand flight from Vancouver to Auckland takes about 13.5 hours. From Toronto and other eastern cities you will usually connect through Vancouver, the US or Asia, for a total of roughly 18–22 hours. Because New Zealand is across the International Date Line, you typically lose a day flying out and gain it on the way home.
Do Canadian permanent residents need an NZeTA?
The NZeTA is based on the passport you travel on, not your Canadian residency. If you hold a passport from a visa-waiver country you can apply for an NZeTA; if your passport is from a country that is not on the visa-waiver list, you will need a New Zealand visitor visa regardless of your Canadian PR status.
Do Canadians need an NZeTA just to transit through Auckland?
Yes. Auckland International Airport has no sterile transit zone, so even if you are only connecting to another country you must hold an approved NZeTA before you board.
How long can Canadian citizens stay in New Zealand?
Up to 90 days per visit, with a maximum of 6 months in any 12-month period. The NZeTA is valid for up to 2 years and allows multiple entries, so one approval can cover several trips.