New Zealanders traveling to Canada should check the travel documentation they require before departure to avoid any problems on arrival. Depending on the length and purposes of the intended stay, they may need a Canada eTA for New Zealanders.
On this page, you can find out the requirements to apply for a Canada electronic travel authorization online, and the difference between an eTA and a Canada visa for citizens of New Zealand
DO NEW ZEALAND CITIZENS NEED A VISA FOR CANADA?
There are 50 countries which are exempt from CANADA VISA FOR NEW ZEALAND CITIZENS, including New Zealand. This means New Zealand citizens do not need a visa to visit Canada.
However, they are required to have an approved Canada eTA for New Zealanders if arriving by air and plan to stay up to 6 months.
For stays longer than 6 months, it will be necessary to obtain a Canada visa for NZ citizens from a Canadian embassy or consulate in New Zealand in advance of travel.
Additionally New Zealanders visiting Canada using the eTA do not have the right to live or work in Canada. They will also need to apply a visa to visit for these purposes.
WHAT IS THE CANADA ETA FOR NEW ZEALANDERS?
The Canada eTA for New Zealanders is a multiple entry electronic travel authorization.
The eTA was introduced in 2015 by Canadian immigration to make it easier to screen foreign visitors to Canada before they enter the country.
The system has allowed border officials to efficiently assess travelers to the country and cut down on the number of repeat visitors who need paperwork.
Holders of an approved eTA are permitted to enter Canada multiple times within the five-year validity of the ETA. They can be granted a stay of up to 6 months for each trip.
Border officials will decide on arrival in Canada how long the travel authorization will last and record the date in the traveler’s passport.
ETA CANADA ENTRY AND TRANSIT REQUIREMENTS
Travelers must enter Canada by air in order to be eligible for the Canada electronic travel authorization. Applicants who intend to arrive via land or sea will still need to produce identification and travel documents at the border, but do not need an eTA for Canada.
The Canada eTA for New Zealand citizens is intended for visitors who are traveling to Canada for the purposes of:
- Tourism, especially short tourist stays
- Business trips
- Transiting through Canada to their onward destination
- Medical treatment or consultation
Any foreign citizen transiting through a Canadian airport needs a transit visa to enter and leave the country. However, this rule does not apply to New Zealand nationals in possession of the Canadian eTA.
New Zealanders visiting Canada using the eTA do not have the right to live or work in Canada.
All travelers must have an electronic passport that is machine-readable, as the Canadian eTA system is entirely electronic. All passports currently issued in New Zealand are machine-readable, but applicants can check with the issuing passport office if they are concerned about the validity of their documents.
HOW CAN NEW ZEALANDERS APPLY FOR THE CANADA ETA?
There is a simple online application form for New Zealanders visiting Canada to complete which requires some basic personal details, including:
- Name
- Nationality
- Occupation
- Passport details, including passport number
- Passport issue date and expiry date
There are also several health and security-related questions, which must be answered, and applicants will need to pay the online Canada eTA fee before they submit the application.
All travelers must have an electronic passport that is machine-readable, as the eTA system is entirely electronic. All passports currently issued in CANADA VISA FOR NORWAY CITIZENS are machine-readable, but applicants can check with the issuing passport office if they are concerned about the validity of their documents.
Applicants only need to show their passport at the airport on arrival and there is no need for paper copies of any documents. Once the eTA for travel to Canada for New Zealanders has been approved, it is electronically linked to the applicant’s passport and valid for a period of five years.
CANADA ETA APPLICATION FORM ONLINE FROM NEW ZEALAND
Online application
Fill out the online eTA application form and upload documents in electronic formatAccess to ETA Form
Pay eTA
Pay the eTA Canada fee with Credit or Debit Card
Receive ETA Canada
Receive Approved ETA by email
The application form for the electronic travel authorization is available on desktop, tablet or mobile devices, and once approved the authorization is delivered safely and electronically to the applicant’s email address.
It is advisable to apply for an eTA for New Zealand citizens at least 72 hours before travel, to allow for processing time and in case there are any errors in the application.
However, applicants from New Zealand who urgently need to travel to Canada, especially if the flight departs within the next 24 hours, are advised to select the Urgent Processing option when paying the eTA fee to receive the authorization within 1 hour.
