To apply for an ETA for New Zealand from the United States, American citizens must fill in a brief online application form that will ask for the traveler’s personal information and passport details.
Applicants will need to provide full name, contact details, passport information (passport number, date of issue, date of expiry). They must answer a few questions about their criminal background (if any) and whether they are visiting New Zealand to seek medical treatment.
After the application is filled out, travelers will need to pay the eTA fee and a small International Visitor Conservation and Tourism Levy (IVL) that will go towards environmental conservation and offsetting the traveler’s carbon footprint. The IVL fee is already included in the total price of the New Zealand eTA.
It is very important that American citizens double-check the eTA application to make sure that all of the information provided is accurate before submitting the form. This is because even the smallest error can delay or even void the application. It will be necessary to re-apply for an eTA if it is denied.
US citizens visiting New Zealand with their family should make sure that each family member fills out their own separate eTA application form, whether they are included on a single passport or not.
US citizens should give themselves ample time to apply for their New Zealand eTA.
It is advisable to submit the form at least a week before the planned trip.