From 3 November 2025, holders of eligible Australian visas who also possess passports from China or any of the 13 Pacific Islands Forum nations can enter New Zealand for up to three months without applying for a traditional visitor visa. Instead, travellers request a low-cost New Zealand Electronic Travel Authority (NZeTA) before departure.
The 12-month pilot—announced in September but activated this week—aims to deepen regional people-to-people ties and stimulate both sides of the Tasman’s tourism recovery. For Australia-based Chinese residents, the change removes a bureaucratic hurdle that deterred short holidays and business hops to Auckland and Queenstown. Pacific islanders residing or transiting through Australia similarly gain easier access for family visits and seasonal work reconnaissance.
![NZ Opens 12-Month Visa-Free Trial for Pacific and Chinese Travellers Departing Australia]()
Operationally, airlines must sight the NZeTA and the underlying Australian visa at check-in. Immigration New Zealand’s amended regulations (SL 2025/204) stipulate that purposes must exclude medical treatment and stays are capped at 90 days per visit. Overstay or work violations will see travellers reverted to standard visa requirements.
Australian tour wholesalers are re-packaging dual-country itineraries—such as ‘Sydney-Rotorua adventure weeks’—targeted at China-based expatriates. Employers with Pacific workforces can also use the waiver for mid-contract home leave, cutting processing times from weeks to minutes.
The trial will be reviewed in October 2026; officials hint that strong compliance could see the arrangement made permanent or expanded to other nationalities resident in Australia.
The 12-month pilot—announced in September but activated this week—aims to deepen regional people-to-people ties and stimulate both sides of the Tasman’s tourism recovery. For Australia-based Chinese residents, the change removes a bureaucratic hurdle that deterred short holidays and business hops to Auckland and Queenstown. Pacific islanders residing or transiting through Australia similarly gain easier access for family visits and seasonal work reconnaissance.
Operationally, airlines must sight the NZeTA and the underlying Australian visa at check-in. Immigration New Zealand’s amended regulations (SL 2025/204) stipulate that purposes must exclude medical treatment and stays are capped at 90 days per visit. Overstay or work violations will see travellers reverted to standard visa requirements.
Australian tour wholesalers are re-packaging dual-country itineraries—such as ‘Sydney-Rotorua adventure weeks’—targeted at China-based expatriates. Employers with Pacific workforces can also use the waiver for mid-contract home leave, cutting processing times from weeks to minutes.
The trial will be reviewed in October 2026; officials hint that strong compliance could see the arrangement made permanent or expanded to other nationalities resident in Australia.
