Chinese travellers get easier transit through NZ with visa change
Chinese nationals will no longer need to obtain transit visas when passing through New Zealand airports from November, the Government has announced.
Immigration Minister Erica Stanford announced today that Chinese passport holders would instead be able to use the New Zealand Electronic Travel Authority.
A new air route from China to South America via Auckland has also been teased.
Today's announcement appears to have been timed with PM Christopher Luxon's visit to China, alongside a visa waiver trial for certain Chinese travellers revealed last week.
"Instead of spending $235 and waiting four days, individuals can pay as little as $17 and can be processed in 24 hours," Stanford said.
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"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.
Erica Stanford (Source: 1News)
"Alongside the announcement of a new route from China to South America via Auckland, we expect this will significantly boost the number of passengers that choose to transit through New Zealand."
Tourism Minister Louise Upston said the policy change would help make Auckland Airport a hub for new airline connections.
"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."
The Electronic Travel Authority will be valid for up to two years, allowing multiple entries without reapplication, according to the Government.
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Auckland Mayor Wayne Brown, who has previously lobbied for the change, welcomed the announcement.
Auckland Mayor Wayne Brown. (Source: 1News)
"At the time, the minister declined my request on dubious grounds. But my continued advocacy has paid off, and I'm pleased to see that wiser heads in government have prevailed," he said.
"The transit visa is a significant hurdle preventing the southern link between Southeast Asia and South America. Today's announcement will enable airlines like China Eastern to provide a service linking these two huge economies via Auckland."
On Sunday, the Government announced New Zealand would trial visa waivers for Chinese visitors, with certain visas, arriving from Australia.
The "visa waiver status" changes would apply to Chinese passport holders with a valid Australian visitor, work, student or family visa, and for stays of up to three months.
Stanford said it would help boost the country's attractiveness as a tourism destination.
"More than 240,000 Chinese visitor visas were granted in 2024, and we want those numbers to grow," she said on Sunday. "This will make it easier, cheaper and faster for them to cross the Tasman and visit our shores.
"The trial will last for 12 months and will be supplemented by further improvements to our immigration processes, making it easier for people applying for a visa."
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