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. New Zealand launched the NZeTA in October 2019, granting travelers entry for transit, tourism, and business purposes. This system simplifies travel requirements and enhances border security. Checking eligibility ensures a seamless journey. 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. Then 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 can apply for the NZeTA if at least one of their passports belongs to a visa-waiver country listed by New Zealand immigration. Checking the official list ensures eligibility before applying:

• 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.

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 citizens from certain nations can apply for the NZeTA. Citizens whose passports don’t qualify for the NZeTA must obtain a visa to enter New Zealand.

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.

New Zealand immigration requires tourists to use the same passport when entering and exiting the airport. Keeping passport details updated ensures smooth travel without complications. Checking official guidelines helps avoid unexpected issues.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. Additionally 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.

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 automatically receive 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.
• Children automatically receive New Zealand citizenship at birth if at least one parent is a New Zealand citizen or a permanent resident at that time. This status grants them the rights and privileges of citizenship without requiring an application. Checking official guidelines ensures clarity on eligibility.

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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.