From 1 April 2025, crew and passengers on cargo vessels that travel to New Zealand from overseas must hold a New Zealand Electronic Travel Authority (NZeTA).
Submission of NZeTA can be started from 3rd Feb. 2025, we recommend you to start submission in advance if your ships call New Zealand.
WHAT IS AN ELECTRONIC TRAVEL AUTHORITY (NZeTA)?
An NZeTA is an authorisation that allows a person to travel to New Zealand without having to obtain a visa. NZeTAs allow Immigration New Zealand to conduct checks in advance to ensure people coming to New Zealand are eligible to travel to and enter the country. There are different types of NZeTA for passengers and crew members.
WHAT TYPE OF VESSELS ARE COVERED BY THESE REQUIREMENTS?
The requirements apply to crew and passengers on cargo vessels. Cargo vessels are considered to be commercial vessels that carry primarily cargo between a foreign port and New Zealand.
WHAT DOES AN NZeTA ALLOW CREW MEMBERS OF CARGO VESSELS TO DO?
An NZeTA issued to a crew member of a cargo vessel allows them to:
• Travel to New Zealand as crew onboard the vessel; OR
• Travel to New Zealand on a commercial flight in order to:
o Join a cargo vessel in New Zealand and leave as crew on the vessel; OR
Join a cargo vessel in New Zealand, remain on the vessel as crew and then leave New Zealand on a commercial flight.
HOW LONG CAN CARGO VESSEL CREW STAY IN NEW ZEALAND USING AN NZeTA?
An NZeTA is not a visa and itself does not grant a person the right to enter or stay in New Zealand. It is an authority to travel to New Zealand. A visa to stay in New Zealand is normally granted on arrival.
Crew that arrive in New Zealand with a valid crew NZeTA may be granted the following visas to stay:
• For crew that arrive in New Zealand onboard a cargo vessel
o On arrival the crew are deemed to hold a visa allowing a stay in New Zealand for up to 28 days or until the vessel leaves (whichever occurs first).
• For crew that arrive in New Zealand from a commercial flight in order to join a cargo vessel
o On arrival the crew may be granted a visa allowing a stay of up to 35 days.
Note: Manning Agent shall apply new crew visa in case crew has to stay more than above period.
HOW ARE NZeTAs FOR CREW MEMBERS OF CARGO VESSELS REQUESTED?
Cargo vessel owners and their representatives (such as manning agents) are responsible for requesting crew ETAs on behalf of their crew. Crew cannot request crew NZeTAs themselves
CAN CREW MEMBERS USE A CREW NZeTA FOR MULTIPLE VOYAGES TO NEW ZEALAND?
Crew NZeTAs are valid for 5 years and can be used on multiple voyages. NZeTAs are linked to a specific passport, so cargo vessel owners or their representatives must update the NZeTA information if a crew member obtains a new passport.
Crew NZeTAs are no longer valid if a crew member leaves their employment for any reason. The party who requested the Crew NZeTA must advise Immigration New Zealand if this occurs.
WHAT HAPPENS IF A PERSON WHO NEEDS AN NZeTA DOES NOT HAVE ONE?
Under New Zealand’s Immigration Act 2009, carriers are responsible for ensuring all persons who need an NZeTA hold one before travelling to New Zealand.
Initially, Immigration New Zealand intends to take an educational approach in cases where a person travelling to New Zealand on a cargo vessel does not hold an NZeTA. Cargo vessel owners should note that in future, penalties such as infringement notices may apply in cases where NZeTA requirements are not complied with.
For more detail, please find attached docs.
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