Strengthening Ties: Easier Travel to New Zealand for Chinese Visitors
Starting November 2025, travelling to New Zealand will get a whole lot simpler for eligible Chinese passport holders. As part of a 12-month trial, the New Zealand Government is removing the need for a full visitor visa for certain travellers arriving from Australia. Instead, they’ll just need a quick and easy New Zealand Electronic Travel Authority (NZeTA).
China continues to be one of New Zealand’s most valued international partners — from tourism and trade to family and cultural connections. Chinese visitors play a vital role in supporting our tourism industry and helping grow people-to-people and business links across both nations.
Recognising the strength of this relationship, New Zealand already offers generous visa options for Chinese nationals, including five-year multiple-entry visitor visas that make returning here easy and convenient.
Who can take advantage of this?
To qualify, travellers must:
- Hold a Chinese passport
- Have a valid Australian visa (visitor, student, work, or family – not just a transit visa)
- Be travelling from Australia to New Zealand
- Apply for and hold an NZeTA before travel
This initiative aims to welcome more Chinese tourists, strengthen bilateral ties, and make trans-Tasman travel easier than ever.
What does this mean for travellers?
Eligible visitors will be able to:
- Stay in New Zealand for up to three months at a time
- Skip the regular visitor visa process and enjoy a faster, easier travel experience
- Take advantage of the trial from early November 2025 for a full 12 months
Why is this great news?
It’s faster: While a traditional visitor visa from China currently takes around 5 working days to process, an NZeTA is usually approved in under 72 hours – often much faster.
It’s cheaper: The combined cost of an NZeTA and the International Visitor Levy (IVL) is just $117–$123, compared to $441 for a standard visitor visa with the IVL.
