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Visa-free travel to NZ opened up for Chinese tourists travelling via Australia

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  Published in Travel and Leisure on Sunday, November 2nd 2025 at 11:42 GMT by The New Zealand Herald
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New Zealand Opens Visa‑Free Entry for Chinese Tourists Traveling via Australia

New Zealand has announced a new travel measure that will allow Chinese passport holders to enter the country without a visa when arriving through Australian airports. The change, announced in late February 2023, is aimed at revitalising the tourism sector after the prolonged downturn caused by the COVID‑19 pandemic and the previous year‑long ban on Chinese visitors.

How the Scheme Works

Under the new arrangement, Chinese citizens can stay in New Zealand for up to three nights visa‑free when they arrive from an Australian departure point. To qualify, travellers must hold a travel authorisation issued by the Australian Department of Home Affairs, proving they are legally allowed to enter Australia. The authorisation also confirms that the traveller will depart from Australia on a flight that is part of the same itinerary.

If a visitor wishes to stay beyond the initial three‑night period, they can apply for a three‑month visitor visa on arrival at a New Zealand port of entry. The visa application process is straightforward: the traveller presents proof of onward travel or confirmed accommodation, and pays a fee of NZ$55 (or the equivalent in Australian dollars). Once the visa is granted, the visitor can remain for up to 90 days.

The policy is designed to be temporary, with the New Zealand Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE) indicating that it will remain in place until the tourism market fully recovers. The initiative is also a sign of the strong partnership between New Zealand and Australia, both of which are seeking to encourage cross‑border travel in the post‑pandemic era.

Rationale Behind the Decision

The COVID‑19 pandemic forced New Zealand to suspend Chinese tourist arrivals in March 2020, when the country introduced a strict travel bubble only between New Zealand and Australia. Since then, the tourism sector has struggled to return to pre‑pandemic levels. In 2022, New Zealand welcomed 14% of its total visitors from China, a figure that represented a 12% increase from the previous year but still fell far short of the pre‑pandemic average of around 40% of total tourism arrivals.

“The Chinese market is a critical pillar of our tourism economy,” said Tourism Minister Penny Parker. “This visa‑free access through Australia is a strategic step to rebuild that relationship and help our hospitality, accommodation and activity sectors recover.”

The New Zealand tourism board also highlighted that Chinese travellers are known for their high spend per capita, often purchasing tours, dining experiences, and luxury accommodation. By reducing the barrier to entry, the government hopes to see a surge in spending, benefiting local businesses across the country.

Impact on Travel Patterns

Travel analysts predict that the policy could bring an additional tens of thousands of Chinese visitors to New Zealand over the next year. In a recent briefing, the New Zealand Tourism Statistics Office projected that if 30% of the current Chinese visitor numbers were to adopt the new scheme, the country could see an extra 200,000 tourist days of activity, generating an estimated NZ$1.2 billion in revenue.

Australian officials are also optimistic. The Australian Department of Home Affairs, which issues the necessary travel authorisations, noted that the policy aligns with its own efforts to promote Australian tourism destinations. By channeling Chinese travellers through Australia, the policy also reinforces the existing Australia–New Zealand travel bubble.

Practical Guidance for Travellers

• Travel Authorisation: Chinese passport holders must apply for a travel authorisation before departing for Australia. This can be done through the Australian Home Affairs website.
• Accommodation and Itinerary: It is advisable to book accommodation and secure a return ticket prior to travel to facilitate a smooth visa‑on‑arrival process.
• Visa Fees: The NZ$55 fee for the visitor visa on arrival covers the entire stay if the visitor remains within the 90‑day limit.
• Health and Travel Insurance: As with all New Zealand visitors, travellers are required to hold valid travel insurance that covers medical costs.

Broader Context

The new visa‑free regime is part of a broader set of post‑pandemic travel initiatives. Earlier this year, New Zealand announced that travellers from the United Kingdom could also enter visa‑free for a short stay, and the government has been working to restore a robust international tourism sector. Meanwhile, the tourism industry is keen to diversify its visitor base, reducing over‑reliance on any single market.

The decision to allow Chinese visitors through Australia has been welcomed by hospitality associations and local business groups. The New Zealand Hotels Association issued a statement expressing confidence that the policy would lead to a quicker rebound for the hospitality sector, especially in regional areas that have been hardest hit by the pandemic.

As New Zealand looks forward to a more open future, the visa‑free access for Chinese tourists travelling via Australia is a pivotal step. It not only opens a major source market but also reinforces the bilateral cooperation that has been vital for both countries during the last few years. The coming months will reveal how effectively the policy translates into increased tourism flows and economic recovery for New Zealand’s vibrant travel industry.