New Zealand Immigration has published the official list of 25 countries and territories whose citizens do not need a transit visa to pass through Auckland International Airport, according to guidance released by the agency. The waiver applies to travellers who are transiting through Auckland en route to another destination and who hold nationality of a recognised transit visa waiver country or territory.
The list includes nations from South America, Southeast Asia, and the Pacific region. Among the countries named are Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, Paraguay, and Venezuela from South America; China, Indonesia, the Philippines, and Thailand from Asia; and several Pacific island nations including Fiji, Samoa, Tonga, Tuvalu, and the Solomon Islands.
NZeTA Still Required for All Eligible Travellers
Being on the transit visa waiver list does not mean passengers can travel without any documentation. All eligible travellers must obtain a New Zealand Electronic Travel Authority (NZeTA) before boarding their flight, New Zealand Immigration confirmed. Citizens of countries already covered under New Zealand's separate visa waiver programme are also exempt from the transit visa requirement, but they too must hold a valid NZeTA.
Travellers who are not from a transit visa waiver country may still be required to apply for a full transit visa. Those from countries not included in either the transit visa waiver list or the general visa waiver list should check with New Zealand Immigration directly to confirm whether a transit visa is required for their journey through Auckland.
Full List of 25 Transit Visa Waiver Countries and Territories
New Zealand Immigration confirmed the following countries and territories qualify for the transit visa waiver in 2026:
- Bahamas
- Bermuda
- Bolivia
- China
- Colombia
- Costa Rica
- Ecuador
- Federated States of Micronesia
- Fiji
- Indonesia
- Kiribati
- Nauru
- Palau
- Panama
- Papua New Guinea
- Paraguay
- Peru
- Philippines
- Republic of Marshall Islands
- Samoa
- Solomon Islands
- Thailand
- Tonga
- Tuvalu
- Venezuela
The waiver applies only to transit through Auckland International Airport, and the list is subject to change. New Zealand Immigration advises all travellers to verify their specific requirements before making travel plans.
Related New Zealand Visa Updates
In a related development, Legit.ng reported that New Zealand had named four categories of people exempt from the NZeTA entry requirement. Separately, Legit.ng previously reported on the conditions for the New Zealand business investor work visa. According to Immigration New Zealand, anyone applying for that visa must show proof of at least NZD $1 million available for investment in an established New Zealand business that the applicant plans to actively run. Applicants are also required to demonstrate they have a minimum of NZD $500,000 in personal funds to sustain themselves and any family members included in the application throughout the period of running and growing the business.
