Do New Zealand citizens need a visa for United States?
The official link goes to esta.cbp.dhs.gov. NUM isn’t a government agency or a visa service. Rules change, so confirm on the official site before you pay or travel.
United States entry rules for New Zealand citizens.
| Verdict | Travel authorisation before you fly |
|---|---|
| Document | ESTA (Visa Waiver Program) |
| Fee | USD 40.27 (USD 40.62 for applications from 16 Oct 2026) |
| Stay | 90 days per entry; cannot be extended |
| Validity | 2 years or until passport expires, whichever is first |
| When to apply | At least 72 hours before departure recommended; most decisions are fast |
| Checked | Verified on an official page · 2026-10-11 |
The rest of the trip for a New Zealand passport, from the arrival form to customs and travelling with children: United States entry requirements.
Skip the form. $9.99 a traveller.
A NUM person files the ESTA on esta.cbp.dhs.gov for everyone in your group. NUM’s fee is $9.99 plus the US$40.62 government fee at cost. You answer any eligibility questions yourself, the decision goes to your own email, and your passport details are deleted the moment it’s filed. NUM isn’t the government and can’t promise approval.
The details for a New Zealand passport.
Not eligible for ESTA (apply for a B visa instead) if you were in Cuba on/after 12 Jan 2021, or in Iran, Iraq, Libya, North Korea, Somalia, Sudan, Syria or Yemen on/after 1 Mar 2011, or also hold Cuban, Iranian, Iraqi, North Korean, Sudanese or Syrian nationality. E-passport required. No extension or change of status on ESTA. Fee was USD 21 until 30 Sep 2025, then USD 40, then USD 40.27 (FY2026 inflation adjustment). A five-year social-media disclosure on ESTA has been proposed but is not in force as of Oct 2026.
How long it must be valid.
Passport should be valid at least 6 months beyond your stay unless your country has an agreement with the US (the 'Six-Month Club', which covers most Visa Waiver countries); then validity for the length of stay is enough (FCDO: UK passports valid for the planned stay). ESTA travellers need an e-passport, including emergency/temporary passports.
Recent changes in United States.
- 2025-06-09 — Proclamation 10949 restricted entry of nationals of 19 countries (12 full, 7 partial). None of our 33 passports was on it.
- 2025-09-30 — ESTA fee rose from USD 21 to USD 40; a USD 24 HR-1 fee pushed the land-border I-94 to USD 30 (from USD 6); EVUS enrollment fee introduced (USD 30).
- 2025-10-01 — USD 250 visa integrity fee (One Big Beautiful Bill Act, July 2025) applies to nonimmigrant visas issued from FY2026; collection rolled out unevenly post by post through 2026.
The short answers.
Do New Zealand citizens need a visa for United States?
No visa, but yes to a form: New Zealand citizens need the ESTA (Visa Waiver Program) approved before they fly for stays of 90 days per entry; cannot be extended.
How much does it cost for New Zealand citizens?
USD 40.27 (USD 40.62 for applications from 16 Oct 2026). Fees change, so confirm on the official site before you pay.
How long can New Zealand citizens stay in United States?
90 days per entry; cannot be extended. Longer stays need a different visa.
When should New Zealand citizens apply?
At least 72 hours before departure recommended; most decisions are fast.
Where do New Zealand citizens apply?
On the official site, esta.cbp.dhs.gov. NUM links it and never charges for the link. If you’d rather not do the form, NUM can file it for you for $9.99 a traveller.
Does NUM issue United States visas?
No. Only the government issues them. NUM explains the rule for your passport, links the official site, and can file the form for you where its desk covers it.