Shamini 
(C): Twitter
Starting in November 2025, New Zealand will start a 12-month trial permitting Chinese tourists coming from Australia to visit New Zealand visa-free. Eligible travellers could stay up to three months using only an NZeTA. This initiative seeks to increase tourism and trade while making travel easier for one of New Zealand’s important visitor markets.
Who Is Eligible for This Visa Exemption?
Only holders of Chinese passports who travel directly from Australia with an Australian visitor, student, work or family visa qualify. Transit passengers who travelled through Australia will NOT be included.
What Are the Entry Requirements?
Eligible travellers must apply for a New Zealand Electronic Travel Authority (NZeTA) for their trip. Once approved, the NZeTA is valid for up to three months in each entry to New Zealand for multiple entries over a two-year validity period. All normal health and character criteria apply.
What Is the Purpose Behind the Policy?
China is an important market. Over 240,000 visitor visas were issued in 2024. By the end of March 2025, Chinese tourism had added NZ$1.24 billion to New Zealand’s economy. Simplified travel is intended to enhance tourism, jobs and trade relations.
Read Also: New Policy Allows 10-Day Visa-Free Entry to China for Citizens of 55 Nations
What Are the Supporting Immigration Improvements?
- A dedicated Chinese support centre and helpline for travel industry agents operates Monday to Friday.
- Simplified Chinese content is available on Immigration NZ webpages.
- There are no longer mandatory certified document translations, which lowers costs and speeds up the process.
- Transit passengers through NZ airports only need an NZeTA, not a visa.
