11 hours ago
Visa change for Chinese passport holders travelling through New Zealand announced
Chinese passport holders travelling through New Zealand will soon be able to use an electronic travel authority.
Photo:
123RF
People transiting through New Zealand on Chinese passports will be able to use an electronic travel authority from November.
It comes alongside a new flight route between China and South America, stopping in Auckland.
Tourism Minister Louise Upston and Immigration Minister Erica Stanford announced the visa change on Wednesday afternoon.
The NZeTa digital form costs $17 and can be processed in 24 hours, remains valid for up to two years and covers multiple entries.
It means travellers will no longer need a Transit Visa costing $235 and taking up to four days.
"International connections are a crucial part of our plan to drive economic growth. We rely on robust and affordable air connectivity to bring people to our beautiful country, and to get our high-quality products out to the world," Stanford said.
Upston said removing the cost and time barriers of a transit visa would makes the new route a more attractive option for both tourists and airlines.
"Every additional passenger transiting New Zealand on their way to South America or back to China will help to lower the cost of a plane ticket, which makes it cheaper for other waves of tourists to come and see what our country has to offer," she said.
"More capacity from airlines will make it easier to visit New Zealand and adds cargo capacity, driving economic growth and supporting the government's goal to double the value of tourism exports by 2034."
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