By The Escape desk · Last verified 4 October 2026
Singapore citizens can visit New Zealand without a visa, but you must hold a New Zealand Electronic Travel Authority (NZeTA) before you board. It costs NZD 17 in the official NZeTA app or NZD 23 on the Immigration New Zealand website, and you pay the International Visitor Conservation and Tourism Levy (IVL) of NZD 100 at the same time (rates in force since 1 October 2024 and current as of October 2026). The NZeTA is valid for two years, and each visit can last up to three months. Allow 72 hours for processing. The IVL is not refunded, even if the NZeTA is declined.
So the real entry ticket is NZD 117 a head by app. It feels steep for a form, but it covers two years of trips, and the levy goes towards conservation and the tourism places you are flying there to see.
Quick facts
- Singaporeans visit visa-free but need an NZeTA before travel.
- NZeTA fee: NZD 17 by app, NZD 23 by website.
- Tourist levy (IVL): NZD 100 per person, paid with the NZeTA, non-refundable.
- Valid two years; stays of up to three months per visit.
- Children need their own NZeTA, even if listed in a parent’s passport.
- Every arrival also completes the free New Zealand Traveller Declaration (NZTD).
What does it cost a family?
The fee and the levy are charged per person, and the app is NZD 6 cheaper than the website each time.
| Travellers | By app (NZD 17 + NZD 100) | By website (NZD 23 + NZD 100) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 person | NZD 117 | NZD 123 |
| 2 people | NZD 234 | NZD 246 |
| Family of 4 | NZD 468 | NZD 492 |
Worked example: a couple flying to Queenstown in July and returning to Auckland the following year. Two app applications cost 2 × NZD 117 = NZD 234, and the same NZeTAs cover the second trip because they last two years. Pay in New Zealand dollars, never Singapore dollars, to avoid the card’s currency conversion mark-up.
How to get your NZeTA
- Download the official NZeTA app (or use the Immigration New Zealand website, which costs more). Avoid third-party sites that add their own fees.
- Scan your passport and take a photo of the traveller.
- Answer the health and character questions.
- Pay the NZeTA fee and the NZD 100 IVL together by card.
- Apply at least 72 hours before you fly. Approval is linked to your passport, so a renewed passport needs a new NZeTA.
As a visa-waiver visitor you should also have a ticket out of New Zealand and enough money for your stay. Immigration New Zealand’s guide is at least NZD 1,000 a month, or NZD 400 a month if your accommodation is already paid for. Officers rarely ask, but have your return booking handy on your phone.
Landing: the NZTD and the biosecurity fine
Every traveller completes the New Zealand Traveller Declaration, which is free, online or in the NZTD app, from 24 hours before your trip starts. It covers customs and biosecurity. New Zealand is famously strict: declaring food, plant or animal products, hiking boots with soil on them, or camping gear is fine, and an officer simply checks them. Failing to declare a risk item brings an instant NZD 400 fine, even if it was an honest mistake. Deliberate smuggling can lead to fines of up to NZD 100,000 or prison.
The rule of thumb is simple: if in doubt, declare it. That pineapple tart in your bag is a three-minute conversation if you declare it, and a NZD 400 lesson if you don’t.
The WahLiao Verdict
Budget NZD 117 per person and use the official NZeTA app, which saves NZD 6 a head over the website. Apply as soon as your flights are booked, do one for every child, and fill in the free NZTD the day before you fly. When you land, declare anything edible or muddy. It is the easiest NZD 400 you will ever save.
Questions people ask
Do Singaporeans need a visa for New Zealand?
Not for a holiday of up to three months. You need an NZeTA instead, which comes with the NZD 100 IVL.
Is the IVL refunded if my trip is cancelled?
No. Immigration New Zealand does not refund the IVL, even if your application is declined. Your NZeTA stays valid for two years, so you can use it for a later trip.
How long does the NZeTA take?
Allow 72 hours. Many are approved sooner, but it can take longer if more checks are needed.
Do babies need an NZeTA?
Yes. Each child needs their own NZeTA, and the levy is charged per eligible person.
Sources: Immigration New Zealand, NZeTA validity, stay length and processing; Immigration New Zealand, fee and levy table from 1 October 2024; Immigration New Zealand, visa waiver visitor requirements; New Zealand Government, New Zealand Traveller Declaration; Ministry for Primary Industries, penalties for failing to declare. The Escape explains; it does not advise.
Read next: Visiting Australia: The ETA or eVisitor · Travel Insurance in Singapore · Back to The Escape
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