The government of New Zealand has announced a trailing visa waiver policy for nationals of China traveling from Australia.
The decision has been confirmed through a statement provided by Immigration New Zealand, which explained that from November 2025, Chinese tourists traveling from Australia with a valid Australian visitor, study, work, or family visa will be permitted visa-free entry, VisaGuide.World reports.
However, it was stressed that this group of travelers will need a New Zealand Electronic Travel Authority. The trial period will last 12 month, and only then it will be decided whether this policy will be made permanent.
To increase the number of Chinese tourists coming to New Zealand, from November 2025 Chinese tourists traveling from Australia with a valid Australian visitor, work, student, or family visa will be able to travel to New Zealand for up to three months with a New Zealand Electronic Travel Authority (NZeTA), rather than applying for a visa.
This does not include those transiting through Australia, with the government highlighting that applicants are still required to meet specific requirements for an NZeTA.
Through the statement, the government emphasizes that China is among the key markets for New Zealand, offering opportunities for the tourism sector, boosting trade, and strengthening connections between friends and family.
Facilitated Rules for Chinese Tourists Applying for Visas
In addition, the changes will also include additional support that will help to make it easier for Chinese tourists to apply for a visa.
It includes additional dedicated contact points for the Chinese travel industry with staff based in China, as well as a phone number that they can ask for additional support between 07:00 and 18:00 NZT Monday to Friday.
These changes also complement the work we have been doing to improve visa processing times. Visitor Visa applications for Chinese nationals are currently being processed in just 5 days on average as of June 2025 and we are working hard to further improve these times.
Over 240,000 Chinese Visitors Grancted Visitor Visas in 2024
Confirming the new decision, Immigration Minister Erica Stanford said the Government was helping to boost New Zealand’s attractiveness as a destination for Chinese tourists.
Stanford said that New Zealand issued over 240,000 visitor visas to Chinese nationals, stressing that she expects the figures will continue to increase.
This will make it easier, cheaper, and faster for them to cross the Tasman and visit our shores. The trial will last for 12 months and will be supplemented by further improvements to our immigration processes, making it easier for people applying for a visa.
The Minister emphasized that in the year ended March 2025, visitors from China contributed a total of $1.24 billion to New Zealand’s economy. However, she said that there is still more work to do in order to further increase these figures.