How to get a visa to travel to New Zealand in a simple way

The sparsely populated landscapes of New Zealand’s northern and southern islands, with their fjords, glaciers, volcanoes and long stretches of coastline , attract thousands of tourists each year. Not surprisingly, this country is one of the favorite destinations for backpackers and young people who want to spend a year off. But in order to visit this enigmatic country that is located on the antipodes of Spain, you must first inform yourself well : find out if you need a visa to travel to New Zealand, what the weather is, what you should bring or which places are the most interesting to see are just a few of the aspects that you should investigate. In this article we will show you all of them.

Do you need a visa to travel to New Zealand?

As of October 1, 2019, all international travelers, except Australian citizens, must apply for a New Zealand visa (NZeta) and pay a tourist tax before entering the country. People from visa-exempt countries can continue to visit New Zealand temporarily without obtaining a visa, but will still need to fill out the electronic NZeTA application form, which will serve as a temporary authorization to travel within the country.

The NZeTA can take up to 5 days to be approved and costs about NZ $ 9. In addition, the New Zealand government charges a tourist tax, the so-called “International Visitor Conservation and Tourism Levy”. This tourist tax which costs NZ $ 35 and is included in the price of the visa . The total price of an NZeTA, including tourist tax, visa costs and processing costs, is € 39.95 .

Both the NZeTA and the IVL are valid for two years and multiple visits to the country. New Zealand government says it plans to use the tax to fund infrastructure and conservation projects

Additional documentation required to travel to New Zealand

In addition to a visa to travel to New Zealand and the payment of the tourist tax, you will need a passport that is valid for at least three months after the date of your trip; fill out the New Zealand arrival card during the flight; demonstrate that you have sufficient financial funds to pay for your stay (minimum $ 1000 / month); and a reserved and paid return ticket from New Zealand.

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What you should know about the weather

New Zealand’s climate varies widely from the semi-arid and mountainous region of central Otago on the South Island to the forested and subtropical coastline of the North Island. In any part of the country, the weather will likely change several times in a day. It will be colder if you visit New Zealand during its winter (June-August) and warmer during the summer (December-February), but you should expect a combination of hot, cold, windy and humid weather regardless of the season of the year .

What to pack?

You will need comfortable clothing (short-sleeved and long-sleeved cotton shirts), a warm hat, a waterproof jacket , a pair of long pants, another pair of shorts, a hat, sunglasses and sunscreen, and comfortable and breathable shoes that do not let the water pass. And, if you travel with a backpack, make sure it is waterproof so you can protect your belongings from the rain.

What not to pack

The New Zealand Department of Conservation (DOC) has strict biosecurity procedures in place to prevent the introduction of pests and diseases . International travelers must declare all the food in their luggage before going through immigration and in many cases they are forced to throw away most of what they bring, so it is best not to try to bring food from abroad into the country.

If you bring hiking boots, tents or any other adventure products that you have already used in other countries, you will need to clean each item carefully and declare it at customs . You can get more information about what you can and cannot take in the travel recommendations to New Zealand on the website of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs

How much time do you need

New Zealand is a relatively small country, but the amount of natural scenery available means it has a lot to see. In order to really explore it, both the North Island and the South Island, you will need at least one week each .