Travelling to New Zealand with dual citizenship
Dual citizenship is also referred to as dual nationality; this means the person holds citizenship of two countries at the same time. In this article, we explain whether you are able to apply for NZeTA with dual citizenship right, and which passport to use when applying for NZeTA and for entry and exit from New Zealand.
What is NZeTA and how it helps the travelers to plan a vacation to New Zealand?
The NZeTA is an electronic visa, only visa waiver nations are eligible to apply under the visa waiver scheme of New Zealand. It allows travelers to apply for travel authority online, without having to physically visit the visa office. The NZeTA was introduced in October 2019, allowing travelers to enter the country for reasons related to transit, tourism and business. Only travelers from visa waiver countries have the privilege to apply for NZeTA.
The NZeTA can be applied only by the travelers belonging to visa waiver countries and the cruise ship passengers entering New Zealand.
The NZeTA has a validity period of two years, allowing travelers with multiple entries into the country. This multiple entry visa allows short stay to travelers, 3 months (90 days) during each visit.
Who can and who cannot apply for NZeTA with Dual Citizenship Right?
Travelers cannot apply for the NZeTA, even when they have a dual citizenship right, if both passports are from a visa-exempted nationality for New Zealand; in this case you are restricted from entering using the NZeTA. Such travelers will have to opt for the New Zealand visa by filling the visa form and visiting the New Zealand Embassy physically to have permission to visit New Zealand.
Travelers with dual nationality, planning a visit to New Zealand and applying for NZeTA, it is necessary for them to know the obligatory preconditions and eligibility criterions based on their nationality.
Dual nationality travelers are permitted to apply for the NZeTA, if any of the passport belongs to visa-waiver nation listed by the immigration of New Zealand:
- Apply for the NZeTA as an eligible citizen with the passport of a visa-waiver nation listed by New Zealand.
- Use this passport belonging to a visa-waiver nation to submit your NZeTA application.
When filling the details of your NZeTA form, make sure to cross-check that you have entered the details of your passport belonging to a visa-waiver nation correctly. The passport details filled in the form should match with the passport. Any incorrect information or variance can lead to obstacles and declining your entry into the nation.
To enjoy a hassle-free NZeTA application process, the applicant with dual citizenship right should make sure that:
- Confirm that one of your passports belongs to a visa-waiver nation.
- Make only use of the passport that is from a visa-waiver nation to complete the NZeTA application process.
- Ensure that you have entered the passport details with visa-waiver eligibility correctly; the document details should match with the application details.
READ MORE:
Travelers should be aware that only citizens from 60 countries are permitted to apply for the electronic visa, which allows them to visit the nation without a regular visa to explore the breathtakingly beautiful places of New Zealand. Find out more at New Zealand Tourist Visa Information.
For individuals having Dual Citizenship: Which Passport to Use for Traveling to New Zealand?
Travelers who are planning to visit New Zealand and have dual passports, often have confusions about which passport to use and whether they can use both the passports. Most applicants are also not aware about which passport to use when applying for the NZeTA.
The passport the traveler is using should have a minimum 6 months validity period including your return. So make sure to use the passport to apply for NZeTA that has a validity period throughout your stay.
It is important to note that when applying for the NZeTA, travelers should use the passport which is under the visa-waiver scheme of NZeTA. This means that citizens belonging to certain nations are allowed to apply for the NZeTA. Those citizens whose both passports do not qualify to apply for the NZeTA, will be required to obtain a visa.
Those dual citizenship travelers who have a New Zealand passport, and a passport from another country, should use the New Zealand passport to enter the nation. By using your New Zealand passport you skip the hassle of applying for a visa.
The immigration of New Zealand makes it clear that tourists should have the same passport when entering and exiting the airport, and making sure that the details are updated correctly.Therefore, travelers with dual nationality must know that they have to use the same passport for entering and exiting the nation.
Those travelers who have a foreign passport, in order to enter the country and enjoy the same benefits as a New Zealand passport holder, they should have New Zealand Citizen Seal of Approval.
Passport Validity Required for Dual Citizens for a NZeTA
Passport validity is necessary for dual citizens applying for NZeTA, here are some of the prerequisite points that the applicant should focus on:
Selecting the right passport
Dual nationality passport holders should make sure that they should use the visa-waiver passport that has the longest validity date. This way your NZeTA will be valid for a longer period.
Validity period offered to the NZeTA
The validity period offered to the NZeTA is 2 years from the day it is issued. But, in case the validity of the passport expires, then the NZeTA also expires, as the NZeTA is electronically linked to the passport.
Minimal passport validity period required
The dual nationality passport holder should know that the visa-waiver passport used to apply for NZeTA should have a minimum validity period of 6 months, including your return from the country. Do make sure that the passport is valid throughout your stay for a hassle-free vacation.
Note:
In case your visa-waiver eligible passport expires before NZeTA's validity period, you will have to immediately update your passport, and you will have to apply for a fresh NZeTA with the new updated passport number.
READ MORE:
Launched on 1st October 2019, the NZeTA was introduced to improve the immigration system of New Zealand, taking control over the border security, hassle-free entry process and ensuring that the compliance was in accordance with the immigration regulations set by the government. Those who wish to visit New Zealand for tourism purposes here is the Tourist Guide to New Zealand Visa Requirements to know more about it.
Acceptance of Dual Citizenship in New Zealand
The immigration of New Zealand, accepts applications put forward by dual citizens. Citizens of New Zealand can have a passport of New Zealand as well as a passport of another country. In case you are a passport holder of another country and aspire to apply for New Zealand citizenship, you can check these steps:
- Be confirmed that you are eligible and meet all the essential conditions for the type of New Zealand citizenship applied.
- State the type of New Zealand citizenship that's suitable for you on the basis of your descent , grant or citizenship by birth.
- Provide the obligatory documents that support your identification like birth certificate, any birth record in the hospital etc in New Zealand, passport details, etc.
- Applicants can submit the New Zealand citizenship application by post, online or by visiting the New Zealand embassy.
- Present any witness or mediator who can testify or affirm your identity in support of your New Zealand citizenship application.
- Children born in New Zealand are spontaneously offered New Zealand citizenship.
- Also the child has the right to obtain dual citizenship, that is citizenship of New Zealand and another country (if the government of this country allows it). In order to apply for this type of dual citizenship, the child's parents will have to submit an application to the citizenship right department of New Zealand and to the other nation as well.
- Also, if the childs, one of their parents, has a New Zealand citizen or is a permanent resident holder in New Zealand during his/her birth, they are automatically granted New Zealand citizenship.
READ MORE:
New Zealand is an island nation, sitting somewhere in the range of 37 and 47 degrees Fahrenheit south of the Tropic of Capricorn. Both the North and South Islands of New Zealand appreciate moderate, sea atmosphere, climate and temperatures. Learn more at New Zealand Currency and Weather.
Ensure that you have checked the eligibility for your New Zealand eTA. If you are from a Visa Waiver country then you can apply for an eTA regardless of the mode of travel (Air / Cruise). European Union citizens, US citizens, UK citizens, Mexican citizens and Romanian citizens can also apply online for New Zealand eTA.