Will the policy of Chinese citizens to enter New Zealand without Australian visas continue after November?
On 3 November 2025, New Zealand introduced a 12-month pilot policy whereby eligible Chinese passport holders can apply for New Zealand Electronic Travel Authorization (NZeTA) without having to apply for an additional New Zealand visitor visa, provided they are in possession of a required Australian visa and travel from Australia by air to New Zealand.
This policy facilitates many Chinese tourists planning to travel to Australia and New Zealand.
However, as the original 12-month pilot period draws to a close, many are beginning to worry:Will the policy expire? Will it be available after November?
The New Zealand Immigration Service Network has recently provided an explanation for this.
I. The pilot period is coming to an end and policy does not represent an automatic termination
According to information published by the New Zealand Immigration Service Network, the pilot scheme will be evaluated after the end of the initial 12-month implementation period, and the Government will decide on the follow-up arrangements based on the results.
It is worth noting that at the same time the official stated that:
Pending a follow-up decision by the Government, eligible Chinese and Pacific island visitors can still use NZeTA to travel from Australia to New Zealand without having to apply for an additional New Zealand visitor visa.
This means,The end of the pilot period does not mean that the facilitation policy will immediately lapse.
This is certainly a source of concern for tourists who are planning their journeys in November and beyond.
Of course, a formal decision by the New Zealand Government remains to be made as to whether or not the final policy will be long-term. Before travelling, it is also recommended that you review the Immigration Service ' s network and confirm the latest requests.
II. Which Chinese tourists can benefit from this facility?
It should be particularly recalled that this policy does not mean that all persons holding Chinese passports are directly exempted from travel to New Zealand.
In order to travel to New Zealand through NZeTA, the following conditions need to be met.
1. Possession of Chinese passport
Applicants are required to hold Chinese passports that meet policy requirements.
2. Possession of an Australian visa that meets the requirements
Passengers must be in possession of a qualified Australian visa, which remains in force when boarding for flights to New Zealand.
Eligible visas include some visitor visas, work vacation visas, student visas and other designated temporary visas.
It should be noted that not all Australian visas automatically meet the requirements, depending on the type of visa issued by the New Zealand Immigration Service.
3. Must fly from Australia to New Zealand
This is crucial.
Passengers need to physically enter Australia before travelling by air from Australian airports to New Zealand.
This arrangement alone cannot be used to determine that it meets the requirements of the pilot policy if it is simply transited through Australia and does not actually enter Australia.
4. Advance application and effective NZeTA
The fulfilment of the above conditions does not mean that they can board directly with their passports.
Passengers still need to apply for NZeTA in advance and to ensure effective authorization.
In short, the core of this policy is that eligible Chinese tourists can use NZeTA to travel from Australia to New Zealand without having to apply for an additional New Zealand visitor visa, subject to the requirements.
Specific requests for visitors from China and the Pacific Islands to New Zealand, as well as follow-up arrangements for the pilot policy, can be found through the New Zealand Immigration Service network.
Official policy statement:
https://www.immigration.govt.nz/visit/what-you-need-to-visit-new-zealand/chinese-and-pacific-island-visitors-travelling-from-australia/
At present, eligible passengers can still enter New Zealand under a pilot arrangement with an Australian visa and NZeTA exemption pending a subsequent decision by the New Zealand Government.The travel plan may also be finalized after the official release of the follow-up arrangements, if there are concerns that the policy changes will affect the itinerary.
Do you think this policy will continue?
However, it would have been possible to have an Australian over three years in advance. I'll leave later!
Now apply for one.Multiple return visas in AustraliaEspecially with high value for money.Multiple visas for three years.It'll be a very smart choice!
What is an Australian KDP (three years) visa?
Australian Tourist CommissionBest selected partner travel agency (i.e. KDP travel agency)Thirty-one Chinese travel agencies are now the preferred partners, covering nine cities: Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Nanjing, Hangzhou, Qingdo and Chengdu.
No one can be DIY. Only a travel agency authorized by the consulate can deliver it.
The KDP-type visa may travel over three years and not exceed 90 days at a time;
The normal type of visa is valid for one year and does not last more than 90 days each.
An Australian KDP visa for three years can be requested if:
Australia's three-year application.
Persons who cannot apply for such a visa:
- A. Persons previously denied visas by Australia
- B. Business people with valid APEC cards
- C. Persons who have been denied 2 or more visas in countries other than New Zealand
- D. Customers that have had any national refusals within six months can't do it.
- E. Improper professions, jobless persons
Attention.
1 KDP visa for three years onlyVisitor visa applicants with a mainland Chinese passport who usually reside in mainland China.A permanent resident abroad can opt for a general tourist visa, which is usually valid for one year!
2. Even if the applicant fulfils the conditions, if the visa officer does not consider it appropriate to grant a three-year visa, it is possible that the visa will eventually be granted more than one year and the fee will not be refunded.
3. Care must be taken to receive telephone calls during visa proceedings, with the possibility of wire transfers based on personal circumstances.If you don't get a call, you'll probably be rejected!
The visa clearance cycle is normal for about 2-3 weeks.
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