In a significant move, the U.S. government has announced stringent changes to their Visa Waiver Program (VWP) for Hungarian nationals, impacting their ability to travel to the United States hassle-free. Effective in August 2023, the popular Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) will undergo modifications, reducing its validity period from 2 years to one year
United States Application
USA ESTA Visa Waiver Requirements for Citizens of New Zealand
The US ESTA for New Zealand citizens is a visa waiver that grants authorization to enter the United States of America.
The Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) was designed as a way for eligible visitors to gain permission to enter the United States, while being screened for security purposes. New Zealand is one of more than 30 countries that can take advantage of the US ESTA.
Thanks to the ESTA waiver program, travelers can apply for their travel authorization online in less than 15 minutes. There is no need to visit an embassy, have an in-person interview with an immigration officer, or spend weeks waiting for approval, unlike many traditional visa programs.
Do not forget to complete an ESTA application form before traveling to the United States from New Zealand — ideally as soon as you book your trip or at least 72 hours in advance of your trip.
Do New Zealand citizens need a visa for the United States of America?
New Zealand citizens do not need a visa if they are planning to visit the United States for the purposes of tourism, business, or transit for a duration of 90 days or less.
However, they are required to have an ESTA travel authorization, as stipulated in the Visa Waiver Program.
The ESTA allows travelers to stay within the United States for up to 90 days. It is valid for 2 years from the date of issue, or until the traveler’s passport expires (whichever happens first).
The ESTA is necessary for entry into the United States via a commercial flight or cruise.
The ESTA is a multiple-entry authorization, which means that visitors from New Zealand can travel in and out of the United States as many times as they would like within the allotted time period.
An approved ESTA application means that you can have multiple trips to the U.S. of a short duration for the purposes of business or tourism during the validity of ESTA. Keep in mind however that if you travel to the U.S. frequently and stay for long periods of time, CBP officers at the port of entry may question your intentions in the U.S. If your plans change and you decide that you wish to stay in the U.S. longer or if you wish to work or study, you will need to apply for a visa at the U.S. Consulate in New Zealand.
US ESTA Requirements for New Zealanders
In order for travelers to apply for their ESTA, they must first meet all of the US ESTA visa waiver requirements for New Zealand citizens. These requirements include the following:
- The traveler’s New Zealand passport must be valid when entering the United States. When filling out the ESTA application, we recommend that applicants keep their passport nearby so that they can easily reference it when answering questions on the form.
- The traveler must have a valid form of payment, such as a debit card or credit card, in order to pay the ESTA processing fee.
- The traveler must provide a valid email address during the application process. This is where his or her approved ESTA visa waiver will be sent to.
Once all of these requirements have been met, the traveler is ready to apply for their US ESTA visa waiver.
US ESTA Application for New Zealand Citizens
The process to obtain a US ESTA for New Zealand citizens is quick and simple. Travelers will simply need to fill out the online form with their personal information, answer a few questions, and pay the fee.
The US ESTA application has two parts. The first part will ask travelers to submit the following data:
- Personal information (such as first and last name, gender, and date and place of birth)
- Passport information (including passport number, issue and expiration date, and nationality)
- Contact details (including a home address, phone number, and valid email address)
It is especially important to take care when typing in your email address, because this is where your US ESTA will be sent to once it has been approved.
Applicants will then need to pay the ESTA processing fee with a valid credit or debit card.
The second part of the ESTA form asks specific questions about the traveler, including information regarding the following:
- Employment
- Point of contact in the US
- Criminal background (if applicable)
- Health history
- Previous trips to the United States (if any)
New Zealanders also have the option to include an emergency contact (phone number and/or email). This is highly recommended.
After the application is complete, we recommend that travelers go through the form and double-check to make sure that all of the information is accurate and spelled correctly.
How Will I Receive my US ESTA from New Zealand?
Your approved ESTA is linked to your passport and will arrive via email at the email address registered on the application form. Therefore, it is recommended that you provide an email address that you check regularly.
Most applicants receive their ESTA authorization within 2 business days of applying. Many will be approved within a few minutes of submitting the form.
The processing time can vary due to the volume of applications, and a number of other factors. For this reason, New Zealanders are advised to apply a minimum of 72 hours before traveling, and further in advance if possible.
Before you set off on your trip, we recommend printing out the approved ESTA waiver in case the airline staff and/or a border control officer asks to see it.
When do I need to apply for a new ESTA?
If you obtain a new passport or change your name, sex, or country of citizenship, you will be required to apply for a new travel authorization. This is also required if one of your answers to any of the eligibility questions changes.
Do I need to apply for a new ESTA if my current ESTA will expire while I'm in the United States?
No, ESTA needs to be valid only upon arrival in the United States and does not control the duration of your stay in the country.
Application Steps
STEP 1
Complete online applicationSTEP 2
Confirm PaymentSTEP 3
Receive approved VisaESTA US Processing time
1 to 2 days
US government fee
21 usd
Our service fee
74 usd
TOTAL
95 usd
Optional services:
Embassy Registration
Service fee includes
Fast processing time
Expert application review
Online support 365 days a year
99% application success rateCountry policy
United States Visa Policy
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Familiarize yourself with the United States visa policy and discover the US visa requirements for your nationality.
This content has been reviewed by
Ekaterina Powell
US Immigration Attorney
Ekaterina Powell is a U.S. attorney licensed in the State of California, working in the area of U.S. immigration law for over 12 years. She has been featured as one of the top immigration lawyers in her state and city several times and has contributed to notable industry publications.
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