If you are dreaming of a trip to New Zealand and you are trying to understand the Visa options, you are in the right place. However, recently, over 50 people have reached out saying they are securing an “NZ working Visa” or they are about to get one, and the story is always the same.
Many travelers find their NZeTA Still Pending or approved but are confused about its limitations. This confusion often stems from misinformation provided by agents who exploit the NZeTA system.
What is the New Zealand ETA?
First, what is the New Zealand ETA? It is an entry requirement for travelers from Visa waiver countries. It implies a quick and easy online application that lets you visit New Zealand multiple times over a 2-year period, with each stay lasting up to 3 months or 6 months for UK citizens.
This travel authorization doesn’t require much documentation and offers a convenient solution for eligible Travelers. But again, only travelers from certain nationalities can apply. You must not confuse this travel authorization with the New Zealand visitor Visa, as this is a regular Visa that requires a more detailed application process including proof of your travel plans and financial stability among other requirements.
The Application Process
The government fee for the ETA is between 17 and 23 New Zealand dollars depending if the process is done through the app or website. Plus, there is also a mandatory fee of 100 Zealand dollars for the IVL, which is the international visitor conservation and tourism levy. In total, the government fee will be around $70 US.
It’s a quick online application process, and you’ll receive your approved ETA by email. However, sometimes after the application is submitted, you’ll be asked for proof of sufficient funds around 1,000 New Zealand dollars per month of stay and proof of onward travel such as a return flight ticket.
The Scam: “Working Visa” Promises
Many people have reached out to inform of their “working Visa.” 80% of them call it “working Visa NZeTA” or just “Visa that allows them to work in New Zealand.” This was given to them by their wonderful agent, and they want to know if they can actually come to New Zealand and work on it.
If you get to asking if you can work on it, there is a 50% chance that you can’t. The dialogue always goes like this: “I want to know if I can come to New Zealand on this visa.” I ask, “What is the name of your Visa?” and they say, “It’s a work visa.” I ask again, “What is the name of your work visa?” because New Zealand has different types of work visas and all of them have different names.
I am expecting to hear something like “Accredited Employer Work Visa” or “Working Holiday Visa,” but I just hear “working Visa” or “NZeTA working Visa.” I have to clarify: there is nothing like an NZeTA working Visa.
How the Scam Works
The agent will collect your details and probably ask you to pay some money. Then they will go onto the NZeTA website and apply for an NZeTA for you. Within 72 hours, they will get the NZeTA approved. This agent will now take that NZeTA number and transpose it on a letter that they downloaded from the internet, edit it to put your name and passport number.
They’ll give you the screenshot of the approval of the NZeTA and then give you that letter. You will come and show this letter and tell me you’ve gotten a working Visa. I’ll tell you this is not a work visa. You will say, “But you verified it, it’s a valid NZeTA.” Yes, it’s a valid NZeTA, but it doesn’t mean that it allows you to come to New Zealand to work.
The NZeTA can be genuine for those who actually spend the money to apply for it, but it is what you can do with it that is where the lie is. They will tell you that you can come to New Zealand to work. First of all, NZeTA is not a Visa; it’s just a Travel Authority.
The Cost of the Scam
These agents charge outrageous prices. The minimum was 800,000 Naira. I’ve heard 1.3 million, 1.5 million, 2.5 million, and someone even paid 3.5 million for that. Recently someone asked if they should pay 2.6 million Naira for a Visa, and it turned out that it was still this NZeTA scam thing. I’ve also seen $2,000 US, and that was just a deposit.
NZeTA is not even up to $100. NZeTA is 17 or 23 New Zealand dollars plus a 35 dollar International Visitor Levy. Basically, it’s from $52 to $58. That is what an agent is charging you 1.5 million for. Isn’t that a red flag?
Can You Enter New Zealand on NZeTA?
While the ETA is essential for your trip, it doesn’t guarantee entry. Immigration officers at your Port of Entry have the final say.
If you are from a Visa waiver country, this is actually not an issue for you because you can fly into New Zealand by landing and passing through border control with an NZeTA, and you can visit. But when you want to work or do any other thing outside visiting, you will need to get a Visa.
The problem is for people that are not from Visa waiver countries. If you are from a country that is not on the Visa waiver list, you can only Transit through New Zealand on an NZeTA. What that means is you fly into New Zealand, you wait in the transit area, and then you take another flight out of New Zealand. You are not going to pass through border control, so that means you’re not going to enter New Zealand.
If you want to come into New Zealand, the only way you can do that is by cruise ship. In case you’re traveling via a cruise ship, do you also need an ETA? Yes, in case you’re from one of the Visa waiver countries, you still need an ETA. If you’re not from a Visa waiver country, you’ll need a proper visitor Visa.
The Cruise Ship Loophole and Costs
The agent might say with an NZeTA you can enter New Zealand if you come on a cruise ship. We don’t have cruise ships in Nigeria. That means you have to fly to a country that has cruise ships that will pass through New Zealand.
You now have to find a country that has cruise ships that includes New Zealand as part of their route. That country that you are flying to, do you need a visa to enter that country? Let’s say you find a country that you don’t need a visa, which is always Fiji. Everyone is saying Fiji.
So you now have to fly to Fiji. That is transportation cost. You have paid agents 2.5 million already. Let me just say 1 million for the flight. You will land in Fiji. Cruise ship is not like an airline that goes every day; season impacts it. You now have to wait, and you can only stay in Fiji for a period of time.
While you’re waiting for the cruise ship, that is money. You need to live somewhere; that is money. Cruise ship is not free. I’ve heard that you can pay up to $11,000. When you take that cruise ship and land in New Zealand, the only thing you can do in New Zealand is just to tour around. You need to leave New Zealand either when the cruise ship leaves or 28 days after.
If you are stuck in a situation where your plans unravel, you might wish for an instant travel refund, but unfortunately, scammers do not offer such guarantees.
Red Flags and How to Avoid Them
When an agent tells you they’re getting you an NZeTA Visa, then you should come and wait, they’ll get you a job—red flags. Guaranteeing you a Visa—red flags.
Tips to Spot the Scam
- Ask Questions: If you can bring out 1.5 million Naira to pay someone, then you should ask questions. Ask “What type of work visa is this agent giving you?”
- Know the Visa Types: New Zealand has different types of work visas. Check the eligibility criteria, conditions, application process, and cost.
- Job Requirement: For most of New Zealand work visas, you will need to have a job or a job offer before even applying for that Visa. Why is your agent asking you to come to New Zealand first before securing that job?
If your application status leaves you anxious, or if you find your flight waitlisted alongside your pending visa, it is a sign to pause and verify everything directly with official sources.
Comparison of NZeTA vs. Work Visa
Here is a breakdown of the differences to help you avoid the “NZeTA working visa” trap.
NZeTA vs. Work Visa Comparison
| Feature | NZeTA (Electronic Travel Authority) | Work Visa (e.g., Accredited Employer) |
|---|---|---|
| Purpose | Tourism or Transit | Employment in New Zealand |
| Cost (Official) | ~$58 NZD (approx. $35 USD) | Hundreds/Thousands of NZD |
| Processing Time | 72 hours (usually) | Weeks or Months |
| Right to Work | NO | YES |
| Entry Method | Air (Waiver countries) or Cruise | Air (Standard entry) |
| Agent Fee (Scam) | 1.5 – 3.5 Million Naira | Variable (but legitimate fees exist) |
Conclusion
The reason why many people are scammed is because they are desperate and they don’t ask questions. They just take whatever the agent tells them hook, line, and sinker. If you can go on TikTok, then you can go on Google and search.
If you still decide to take that NZeTA route, just know that you’re going to be a simple visitor in New Zealand when you arrive, and it’s going to be very expensive. If you have such money to splash, why don’t you just apply for a straight visitor visa and come to New Zealand and just enjoy yourself?
Be aware that if you want to go the route of trying to enter via cruise ship or transit just to find work, you have to consider all those factors which many people don’t think about when they are applying for this thing, and they end up feeling stuck. Just as you wouldn’t get off at a layover city without the right visa, do not attempt to work in New Zealand without the correct documentation.
Don’t let those guys use you. Use your IQ. Stop scamming people; it’s really not good. I don’t know how you sleep at night.