Photo: RNZ / Yiting Lin
Immigration New Zealand has unveiled more details of its incoming visa waiver trial for Chinese nationals visiting New Zealand from Australia.
From 3 November, Chinese nationals living across the Tasman with an eligible Australian visa will only need to request a New Zealand Electronic Travel Authority (NZeTA) when visiting New Zealand.
Chris Adamson, acting director for visas at Immigration New Zealand, said the changes made it faster, cheaper and simpler for Chinese passport holders to visit New Zealand.
"China is one of New Zealand's most important markets, providing opportunities for our tourism sector, boosting trade and business relationships, and connecting friends and family," Adamson said.
To travel on an NZeTA, people must travel from Australia (not transit through Australia), hold an eligible Australian visa, be of good health and character and a genuine visitor to New Zealand, and leave at the end of their stay, Adamson said.
Eligible Australian visas included work, family, student and visitor visas, Immigration New Zealand said. The full list of eligible visas can be found on the department's [www.immigration.govt.nz/china-nzeta website].
"Make sure you check your Australian visa is eligible and valid when you check-in for your flight to New Zealand," Adamson said.
From 27 October, Chinese travellers will also be able to transit through New Zealand on an NZeTA, rather than a transit visa, Adamson said, referring to a change announced earlier this year.
People could apply for an NZeTA by downloading the free NZeTA app, or through the official Immigration New Zealand website, he said.
"If you want to stay in New Zealand longer than three months, don't have an eligible Australian visa or are not flying from Australia, you will need to apply for a visitor visa."
