Important Travel Information – Please Read
If you are looking to apply for a short-term visitor visa from New Zealand to the USA, then you can start your application online today. If you are looking for a longer-term visa, please select the appropriate option on the form or email us for advice. Citizens of New Zealand are eligible for the ESTA Visa Waiver program which permits visits of up to 90 days for tourism or business.
ESTA’s are processed within 24 hours and usually receive a result within 72 hours, but we advise that you apply at least 1 week in advance to avoid complications.
Visa Options
- ESTA
- Visa Waiver
- B1/B2 Visitor Visa (if not eligible for ESTA)
Do citizens of New Zealand require a visa to enter the USA?
If nationals of New Zealand intend to visit the United States for tourism, business, or transit, they do not require a visa.
They must, however, have an ESTA travel authorisation, as required by the Visa Waiver Program.
Travelers can stay in the United States for up to 90 days with the ESTA. It is valid for two years from the date of issue or until the travelers passport expires, whichever comes first (whichever happens first).
The ESTA is a multiple-entry authorization, which means tourists from New Zealand can enter and exit the United States as many times as they like within the time limit.
The ESTA is required for commercial flights or cruises into the United States.
New Zealand ESTA Requirements
Travelers must first complete all of the US ESTA visa waiver requirements for New Zealand citizens in order to apply for their ESTA. The following are some of the requirements:
When entering the United States, the travelers New Zealand passport must be valid.
Pay the ESTA processing charge, the traveller must have a valid method of payment, such as a debit or credit card.
During the application procedure, the traveller must give a valid email address. His or her authorised ESTA visa waiver will be sent to this address.
New Zealand to USA Visa Processing Time
As a citizen of New Zealand, you are eligible to apply through the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) which allows you to waive the requirement of a full visa.
If you are a foreigner living in New Zealand, you will require a B1/B2 visa which requires you to attend an in-person interview at the U.S. Embassy. As well as the waiting time for an appointment, you can expect a processing time of up to 7 business days.
Visa Travel Purposes
With an ESTA visa waiver, you are permitted to travel to the United States from New Zealand for stays of up to 90 days at a time within any 180 day period. The travel authorization is valid for up to 2 years or until your passport expires, whichever occurs first.
You can travel to the USA for vacations / holidays or any other leisurely visit, such as visiting family / friends. You may also travel for business purposes such as attending meetings, negotiating contracts & informal training.
What is an ESTA? Do I Need a Full Visa as a Tourist From New Zealand?
The visa waiver program, also known as an ESTA (Electronic System For Travel Authorization) is a online document that allows an individual to travel to America as a tourist without the need for a ‘full visa’.
The application is completed online and if you are approved the travel authorization is electronically linked to your passport. Citizens of New Zealand are eligible to apply for an ESTA.
You may visit the USA for up to 90 days at a time for up to 2 years or until your passport expires, whichever is first.
Once you submit an application, it will go through our 8 point check to ensure there will be no issues with your authorization. Sometimes it can take up to 72 hours for an application to receive a response.
You will receive all updates via the email you provide on your application.
For detailed information on specific parts of the New Zealand to USA visa process, you can refer to the links to the right to find the answer to your query. If you are unable to find any particular information, please contact us via email.
USA Visa Types
A Visa is required for any foreign national wishing to enter the United States. It could be a non-immigrant visa for a short period of time or an immigrant visa for a long period of time. To enter the United States, Indians must get a non-immigrant visa.
How will I get my ESTA from New Zealand to the United States?
Your approved ESTA will be emailed to the email address you provided to us and will be connected to your passport. As a result, it is advised that you supply an email address that you check on a frequent basis.
The majority of applicants receive their ESTA permission within two working days of submitting their application. Many applications will be approved within minutes after submission. The amount of time it takes to process an application can vary depending on the volume of applications and a variety of other factors.
We recommend printing out the authorised ESTA waiver before leaving for your vacation in case the airline personnel or a border control officer requests it.
People Also Asked...
The Visa Waiver Program (VWP) allows New Zealand nationals to visit the United States for up to 90 days without a visa for business or tourism. Travelers who visit the United States on a visa waiver programme are not eligible to modify their visa status under US law.
The Visa Waiver Program (VWP), which is managed by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) in collaboration with the State Department, allows citizens of 40 countries, including New Zealand, to visit the United States for business or tourist for stays of up to 90 days without requiring a visa.
The Visa Waiver Program (VWP) allows citizens of certain countries to travel to the United States for tourism or business purposes for up to 90 days without a visa. New Zealand is one of the countries that participates in the VWP.
The processing time for a visa can vary depending on the type of visa you are applying for and the U.S. embassy or consulate you are applying at. However, it typically takes several weeks to get a visa. The ESTA Visa Waiver system is not subject to the visa timescale and is typically processed within a week.