Article: New Zealand Replaces Paper Arrival Cards with Online Declaration

[Mwenenzi]

Anyone done it with the trying one hand to open passport to photo page, and using phone camera to take photo of passport when filling in the new (2023) NZ traveler declaration?
I tried with one hand holding passport, and the hand holding phone camera, and its quite hard.
Am an Aust citizen, so need for the NZeTA.

You seem to have a lot of confusion. 2 very different requirements (or 1 if AU NZ citizen)

New Zealand Traveller Declaration - Start Your Declaration

Complete and submit the New Zealand Traveller Declaration easily and safely online prior to your arrival. Find resources about travel to New Zealand here.<br />

www.travellerdeclaration.govt.nz

NZeTA | Immigration New Zealand

Official government website to request your NZeTA.

www.immigration.govt.nz

• You must get an NZeTA if you do not have a valid visa and you are either travelling on a passport from a visa waiver country or travelling as a permanent resident of Australia.
• You do not need an NZeTA if you have a valid New Zealand visa, or are an Australian citizen travelling with an Australian passport.

This thread is about the NZ traveller declaration. Still have the option of filling out the paper form
Best to keep this thread *on topic*

 

[Beano]

You seem to have a lot of confusion. 2 very different requirements (or 1 if AU NZ citizen)

New Zealand Traveller Declaration - Start Your Declaration

Complete and submit the New Zealand Traveller Declaration easily and safely online prior to your arrival. Find resources about travel to New Zealand here.<br />

www.travellerdeclaration.govt.nz

NZeTA | Immigration New Zealand

Official government website to request your NZeTA.

www.immigration.govt.nz

This thread is about the NZ traveller declaration. Still have the option of filling out the paper form
Best to keep this thread *on topic*

Yes, everyone needs to fill in a travel declaration, NZ & AUS citizens included, whether electronic or paper.

 

[AustraliaPoochie]

Ta for that Mwenenzi, I am an Aust citizen, so only interested in the NZ digital IPC, not NZeTA.
===
Ah, too fat fingers!
Should have typed "no" need for NZeTA.
Sorry about the confusion.
===

Am an Aust citizen, so ((should have put in NO)) need for the NZeTA.

 

[Beano]

Ta for that Mwenenzi, I am an Aust citizen, so only interested in the NZ digital IPC, not NZeTA.
===
Ah, too fat fingers!
Should have typed "no" need for NZeTA.
Sorry about the confusion.
===

I didn't need a photo of the passport.

 

[AustraliaPoochie]

Oh, I see, on the digital IPC webpage of the NZ immi website, they mention taking a photo of the >>>> line of info, on the MRZ of passport.
Guess I will have to try it once in Dec when I go through next.
If it all works out to be easier, will probably use smartphone with a stylus as I have got fat fingers.
Thanks for that one Beano.

 

[Beano]

Oh, I see, on the digital IPC webpage of the NZ immi website, they mention taking a photo of the >>>> line of info, on the MRZ of passport.
Guess I will have to try it once in Dec when I go through next.
If it all works out to be easier, will probably use smartphone with a stylus as I have got fat fingers.
Thanks for that one Beano.

Why are you looking at the NZ immi website. The Digital PC is on Home.
The passport photo is for the NZeTA, not the digital arrival card which doesn't need you to scan your passport. You just add the passport number. You can also apply for the arrival card on a PC, easy peasy. If you are an Australian Citizen that's all you need to do.

 

[AustraliaPoochie]

Just did it earlier today.
Yep, no need to scan photo.
But my phone won't accept the 2 line reading.
Then noticed down the page on smart phone, there is ability to manually type details.
Email arrived fast too.
Still have to use e gate or NZ smartgate of course.
And pass biosecurity.

 

[trendwhore]

Oh just want to update this as I went through a couple months ago.. I filled out online and that was fine but then I also filled out the manual one as a backup.. probably a good thing as there was very little signage that I saw (could've just been zonked out) which indicated which line to go in for the digital vs analog. Additionally (probably my fault again) I didn't have my phone ready so just did the manual way and that was fine. Usual Auckland airport delays at customs either way so doesn't seem to have really sped up the process

 

[Beano]

Going through Wellington there is only one line any you either show the paper card or they scan your passport if you have an online card. No need to use your phone.

 

[AustraliaPoochie]

They didn't ask me at AKL.
I pre empted, and passport scanned 2nd time, (ie after smartgate or egate), and that was it.
Very easy procedure.
===
Actually you dont have to show phone/proof of the 7 digit or 8 digit code.
After NZ smartgate, at AKL,
go downstairs and tell them you have filled in the NZ eTD.
They will look at their screen which will confirm its been filled in.
---
Definitely easier than Aust's.
Beano, if coming back via MEL, (((Watch for the new 2 smartgates gates and the new papery photo piece of paper the machine issues instead of the cardboardy bit))).

 

[Beano]

Sa

They didn't ask me at AKL.
I pre empted, and passport scanned 2nd time, (ie after smartgate or egate), and that was it.
Very easy procedure.
===
Actually you dont have to show phone/proof of the 7 digit or 8 digit code.
After NZ smartgate, at AKL,
go downstairs and tell them you have filled in the NZ eTD.
They will look at their screen which will confirm its been filled in.
---
Definitely easier than Aust's.
Beano, if coming back via MEL, (((Watch for the new 2 smartgates gates and the new papery photo piece of paper the machine issues instead of the cardboardy bit))).

Same as BNE then.

 

[AustraliaPoochie]

Haven't done the Aust eTD even when they did the intro a year or so ago.
As mentioned NZ does not need the photo of holder to be scanned, but I think the Aussie one needed photo to be scanned when we has it, the Aust eTD that is.

 

[Happy Trails]

A question for NZ regulars.
Are there any particular pros or cons with on line/app vs paper declarations?
Entrants will be on Thai passports with (permitted, I believe) food items to declare.
I'm guessing electronic dec may be a little quicker.

 

[Mwenenzi]

A question for NZ regulars.
Are there any particular pros or cons with on line/app vs paper declarations?
Entrants will be on Thai passports with (permitted, I believe) food items to declare.
I'm guessing electronic dec may be a little quicker.

You line up in the same queue no matter if paper or online (based on CHC entry)
With online your passport is swiped, then the agent reads the screen.
In my view the processing time at the desk is a little slower (~30 seconds) with online vs paper.

At CHC is

• immigration kiosk
• customs ~ travel declaration
• pick up bags from carousel, if applicable
• exit or bags scanned depending on the coloured card you are given
• land side

 

[Kiwi_Flyer]

Conversely can be slightly quicker with online or app at wlg arrival. There is usually an officer before baggage claim checking paper forms to identify pax who may need inspection of bags. Those with paper forms get asked lots of questions. Those with electronic (online or app) get waved through this initial check.