New Zealand Requires NZeTA for Foreign Cargo Ship Crew and Passengers Starting April 2025

The New Zealand government has announced a new rule that will require foreign cargo ship crew and passengers to obtain a New Zealand Electronic Travel Authority (NZeTA) before entering the country, starting from April 1, 2025. This decision aligns cargo ship requirements with those for cruise ship passengers and crew, who have been required to have an NZeTA since 2019. The rule also applies to the crew of foreign vessels permitted by the Minister of Transport to transport coastal cargo.

The implementation of the NZeTA requirement for foreign cargo ship crew and passengers aims to enhance border security and efficiency, ensure consistency in immigration settings, and support a modern approach to travel facilitation through digital means. This will enable Immigration New Zealand (INZ) to have advance notice of visa-waiver travelers, allowing for better management of immigration concerns. Last year, INZ processed 1.4 million NZeTA requests, achieving an impressive approval rate of 99.89%.

In contrast, crew members traveling on New Zealand or Australian passports, or arriving in New Zealand on a private or non-scheduled commercial aircraft, are exempt from needing an NZeTA or visa. Crew members aboard cargo ships arriving in New Zealand from foreign ports are also exempt from needing a Crew ETA or visa, as they are considered to have a visa upon boarding their ship and are granted entry upon reaching New Zealand waters. This update reflects the government’s commitment to secure and efficient border management processes.

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