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New Zealand New Zealand Electronic Travel Authority (NZeTA) photo requirements

The photo rules set by Immigration New Zealand for the New Zealand New Zealand Electronic Travel Authority (NZeTA), with the official wording and sources.

Based on 5 official sources · last checked Official sources Page history

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Quick answer

What are the New Zealand New Zealand Electronic Travel Authority (NZeTA) photo requirements?

If you apply in the NZeTA app you can take a selfie. On the website you upload a photo that meets Immigration New Zealand's online standard: a 3:4 JPG of 512 KB to 3.14 MB, taken within 6 months, with your face filling 70 to 80% of the image against a plain background.

The New Zealand Electronic Travel Authority (NZeTA) lets some people travel to New Zealand without applying for a visa first. Whether one is needed depends on the passport, how the person is travelling and whether they are visiting or only transiting. An NZeTA can only be requested online, using the passport and one acceptable photo, or a device that can take one.

Immigration New Zealand (INZ) says a selfie can only be used if the mobile app is used to apply. It also says a selfie that meets the requirements is hard to take, and recommends having someone else take the photo where possible, even in the app. The NZeTA costs NZD 17 in the app or NZD 23 on the website, plus the NZD 100 International Visitor Levy for most travellers.

New Zealand New Zealand Electronic Travel Authority (NZeTA) photo size and specifications

The requirements as published by Immigration New Zealand:[1]

Print size3:4 aspect ratio, taken in portrait mode
Head heightFace covers 70 to 80% of the image, in the middle of the frame
BackgroundPlain and neutral, showing only the applicant
Photo ageTaken within the last 6 months
File sizeBetween 512 KB and 3.14 MB
File formatJPG or JPEG

In the official words

Exact wording from the official sources, quoted because the details matter:

You can only use a selfie photo if you use the mobile app to apply for an NZeTA.

INZ: Acceptable photos for a visa or NZeTA[2]

Key requirements

  • Selfies

    Selfies are accepted only in the NZeTA mobile app, not on the website.

  • No edits

    Edited, filtered or AI-altered photos, and photos of a photo, are not accepted.

  • Expression and visibility

    The photo must show a neutral expression, mouth closed, eyes open, ears visible, no tinted glasses and nothing else in the frame.

  • Set-up

    INZ asks the applicant to stand 0.5 m in front of a plain background, with the photographer 1.5 m in front of the applicant.

Do's and don'ts

Do

  • If taking a selfie, stretch the arm out as far as it goes to leave space between the phone and the face
  • Hold the phone at the same height as the eyebrows
  • Keep the light source behind the phone so it falls evenly on the face

Don't

  • Do not hold the phone close to the face or below the chin
  • Do not stand with a bright window or lamp behind you
  • Do not use beauty filters or a busy, patterned background

Glasses

Tinted glasses are not allowed.

Babies and children

Every traveller needs their own acceptable photo. In the app, NZeTAs can be requested for up to 10 people at the same time; on the website a separate request is needed for each person.

Digital only. The NZeTA can only be requested online, via the app or the INZ website.

Where to submit the photo

In the NZeTA mobile app (NZD 17) or on the INZ website (NZD 23). Use the passport that will be used for travel. Allow 72 hours for processing. The NZeTA is valid for 2 years for travellers (5 years for crew), with each visit up to 3 months (6 months for UK citizens) and no more than 6 months in any 12 months.

How to get your New Zealand New Zealand Electronic Travel Authority (NZeTA) photo

  1. Check the official requirements. Read the official specification for the New Zealand New Zealand Electronic Travel Authority (NZeTA). Check the rules on pose, expression, glasses and headwear below.
  2. Take the photo. Follow the key requirements: selfies; no edits; expression and visibility; set-up.
  3. Prepare a print or digital file. Digital only. The NZeTA can only be requested online, via the app or the INZ website.
  4. Submit the photo with your application. In the NZeTA mobile app (NZD 17) or on the INZ website (NZD 23). Use the passport that will be used for travel. Allow 72 hours for processing.

New Zealand New Zealand Electronic Travel Authority (NZeTA) photo FAQ

Only if you request your NZeTA in the official NZeTA mobile app. On the INZ website you must upload a photo that meets the online photo standard. Even in the app, Immigration New Zealand recommends having someone else take the photo where possible.

A JPG or JPEG between 512 KB and 3.14 MB, taken in portrait mode with a 3:4 aspect ratio, less than 6 months old, with your face covering 70 to 80% of the image against a plain, neutral background. It must not be edited, filtered or a photo of a photo.

Yes. INZ says Australian permanent residents visiting New Zealand must have an NZeTA, and are normally given an Australian Resident Visa on arrival. INZ's Australian Resident Visa page says they do not pay the International Visitor Levy.

No. If you travel on an Australian passport you do not need a visa or an NZeTA before you travel. You are normally given an Australian Resident Visa when you arrive, as long as you meet its character requirements.

NZD 17 in the NZeTA app or NZD 23 on the INZ website, plus the NZD 100 International Visitor Levy (IVL) unless you are exempt. Transit NZeTAs cost the same but do not include the IVL.

2 years for travellers, or 5 years for airline crew. You can use it for several trips while it is valid, staying up to 3 months each visit (6 months for UK citizens) and no more than 6 months in any 12-month period.

In the app, yes: you can request NZeTAs for up to 10 people at the same time. On the website you must submit a separate request for each person. Every traveller needs their own acceptable photo.

Related photo specifications

Other New Zealand documents

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Official sources

  1. Immigration New Zealand. New Zealand Electronic Travel Authority (NZeTA) immigration.govt.nz. Checked 29 October 2026.
  2. Immigration New Zealand. Acceptable photos for a visa or NZeTA immigration.govt.nz. Checked 29 October 2026.
  3. Immigration New Zealand. Paying the International Visitor Levy immigration.govt.nz. Checked 29 October 2026.
  4. Immigration New Zealand. Australian Resident Visa immigration.govt.nz. Checked 29 October 2026.
  5. Immigration New Zealand. INZ 1028 Fees Guide, May 2026 (PDF) immigration.govt.nz. Checked 29 October 2026.

Requirements can change, so always confirm with Immigration New Zealand before you apply. WorldPhotoSpecs is independent and not affiliated with any government.

Cite this page

"New Zealand New Zealand Electronic Travel Authority (NZeTA) photo". WorldPhotoSpecs. Last updated 4 November 2026. https://worldphotospecs.org/new-zealand/nzeta-photo

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