On June 15 and 18, New Zealand government announced two new visa facilitation policies for Chinese citizens:
1.From November 2025, Chinese visitors travelling from Australia with a valid Australian visitor, work, student or family visa, will be able to travel to New Zealand for up to 3 months with a New Zealand Electronic Travel Authority (NZeTA), rather than applying for a visa.
This does not include people transiting through Australia, and applicants will still need to meet the criteria for an NZeTA.
This will be trialled for 12-months.
2.From November 2025, Chinese passport holders will no longer need to obtain a Transit Visa before transiting through New Zealand airports. Instead, they will be able to get a New Zealand electronic Travel Authority (NZeTA). Chinese citizens transiting through New Zealand before this date will still need a Transit Visa.
Approved Transit Visa will remain valid until its expiry date even after the waiver takes effect.
References are as follows:
Policy releases
https://www.beehive.govt.nz/release/welcoming-more-visitors-china
https://www.immigration.govt.nz/about-us/news-centre/changes-to-welcome-visitors-from-china/
https://www.beehive.govt.nz/release/making-it-easier-chinese-travellers-transit-new-zealand
NZeTA application guide
https://www.immigration.govt.nz/visas/new-zealand-electronic-travel-authority-nzeta/
Visitor visa application guide for Chinese citizens:
1. Chinese version
2. English version