New Zealand•Oceania

Open

Transit Visa

Work Dependents Allowed

At a Glance

Processing Time

1-4 days

Application Fee

235 NZD

Stay Duration

Up to 24 hours in Auckland International Airport transit area only

Renewable

Job Offer

Not Required

Dependents

Allowed

PR Pathway

Remote Work

Not Required

Official Information

Overview

Short-stay permit for non-waiver travellers transiting Auckland International Airport for under 24 hours en route to a third country.

New Zealand's Transit Visa, issued by Immigration New Zealand under the Immigration Act 2009, lets non-waiver travellers pass through Auckland International Airport en route to a third country without entering New Zealand. It is required for those who are not NZ or Australian citizens/residents, hold no valid NZ visa, and are not from a visa- or transit-waiver country.

The visa costs from NZD $235 and is processed within 4 days for 80% of applicants. Stay is capped at 24 hours inside Auckland Airport's transit area — no entry to New Zealand, no work or study, and no other visa application during transit. Apply via form INZ 1019 with passport, onward itinerary, and a statement of travel purpose. Partner and dependents aged 19 or under may be included.

This visa is ideal for travellers from non-waiver countries on long-haul itineraries via Auckland with a layover under 24 hours, who need a compliant stopover permit.

Requirements

ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS

Must be passing through Auckland International Airport on the way to another country.

Must stay only in the airport transit area and for no more than 24 hours.

Must not be a New Zealand citizen, permanent resident, or hold a valid NZ visa.

Must not be an Australian citizen or permanent resident, and must not be travelling to or from Australia.

Must not be travelling on a passport from a visa-waiver or transit-visa-waiver country/territory.

Must meet New Zealand good character requirements.

Must demonstrate genuine transit intentions with confirmed onward travel.

KEY CRITERIA

Education

none or higher

REQUIRED DOCUMENTS

Original valid passport (with at least 3 months' validity beyond intended departure from NZ).

Confirmed travel itinerary including arrival and departure times for each country.

Travel tickets or evidence of onward travel arrangements.

Written statement of the purpose of the journey to the destination country.

Two passport-sized photographs (less than 6 months old) per applicant for paper applications.

Identity documents and photographs for any partner or dependent children included.

Advantages & Considerations

Key Benefits

Allows lawful transit through Auckland Airport for travellers from non-waiver countries.
Fast processing — 80% of applications decided within 4 days.
Single application can include a partner and dependent children aged 19 or younger.
No requirement for a job offer, sponsor, or minimum income.
Issued electronically once approved — no in-person interview required.
Chinese passport holders may now transit on an NZeTA instead, simplifying many itineraries.

Worth Knowing

Costs from NZD $235 per applicant; not free.
Strictly limited to the transit area of Auckland International Airport — no other NZ airport qualifies.
Maximum stay of 24 hours; longer layovers require a Visitor Visa.
Cannot leave the transit area to collect bags or stay at a hotel.
Cannot be used to enter New Zealand or apply for any other visa while in transit.
Not available to travellers transiting through any NZ airport other than Auckland International.

Application Process

Check whether you need a Transit Visa or qualify for an NZeTA or waiver.

Complete the online Transit Visa application on the Immigration New Zealand website, or paper form INZ 1019 if applying offline.

Attach passport, confirmed travel itinerary, onward-travel evidence, and statement of purpose; include partner and dependent children aged 19 or under if applicable.

Pay the NZD $235 application fee.

Submit the application and wait for the decision (80% processed within 4 days).

Receive the visa electronically or via a visa application centre and travel on your booked flights.

Application Forms

INZ 1019

Transit Visa Application form (October 2025 edition)

Fill online

Verified Claims (14)

Last verified May 31, 2026

Application Steps	Check whether you need a Transit Visa or qualify for an NZeTA or waiver.; Complete the online Transi…	immigration.govt.nz
Dependent Visa	included	immigration.govt.nz
Fee Breakdown	Transit Visa application fee: 235 NZD	immigration.govt.nz
Fees	From NZD $235	immigration.govt.nz
Forms	INZ 1019	immigration.govt.nz
Official Info	https://www.immigration.govt.nz/visas/transit-visa/	immigration.govt.nz
Max Stay	Up to 24 hours in Auckland International Airport transit area only	immigration.govt.nz
Max Stay Estimate	type: varies, notes: Up to 24 hours in Auckland International Airport transit area only	immigration.govt.nz

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