More Chinese Tourists Could Visit NZ Soon, Thanks to New Visa Rule

A new immigration change will make it easier for Chinese travelers to come to New Zealand if they already hold an Australian visa. Starting in November, this one-year program lets eligible visitors from China stay in NZ for up to three months without applying for a separate visitor visa. This change is part of a wider effort to increase tourism and make travel more straightforward for key markets.

The announcement came from Immigration Minister Erica Stanford. She pointed out that this policy makes the process less demanding for Chinese tourists, especially those already visiting Australia. It also aims to increase overall visitor numbers from China, which has become one of NZ's biggest sources of international tourists in recent years.

Why This Move Could Matter for NZ

In 2024, over 240,000 visitor visas were approved for people from China. That figure has continued to grow after a quiet few years during the pandemic. The tourism sector, which has been looking for signs of strong recovery, views this update as a step in the right direction.

Louise Upston, the Tourism Minister, explained that this kind of visa access can help businesses that rely on foreign guests. Places such as hotels, cafes and tour operators often see a spike in demand when access becomes easier for high-interest visitor groups. She believes this change will create new travel flows and lift earnings in both large cities and smaller towns.

What the Trial Actually Allows

This visa waiver is not for everyone; it only works for Chinese nationals who already have valid visas for Australia. Those visas could be for tourism, study, work, or family purposes. If they hold one, they can enter NZ for up to 90 days without needing a second visitor visa from the New Zealand authorities.

Other improvements have also been made. The Immigration New Zealand website will now feature key instructions in Simplified Chinese. There is a plan to set up a China-based contact centre for agents who handle group travel under the Approved Destination Status program. In addition, visitors no longer need to provide certified translations for their travel documents, cutting down paperwork and costs.

Tourism Relationship Between the Two Countries

Chinese tourism is not new in NZ, but its scale is returning to strong levels. Just a year ago, the number of travelers from China was far lower. Now, it has risen by more than 175%, according to government data. In total, 244,000 travelers from China visited in the 12 months leading up to August 2024.

It is also worth mentioning the ties beyond just visitor numbers. Close to 280,000 New Zealand residents identify with Chinese heritage. These people are part of long-standing personal, business and cultural connections between the two countries. Travel becomes a natural part of maintaining these links.

More Than Just Visa Access

Apart from this visa update, NZ’s tourism agencies have also been working on visibility inside China. One example is the use of Xiaohongshu, a social media app that works like a local version of Instagram. That platform has hundreds of millions of users. NZ’s campaign using it has reached millions so far, showing travel experiences and local places to large audiences.

This digital approach is backed by new tourism funding. A $35 million plan has been launched to push tourism further in international markets. China is expected to be one of the countries where this will have a strong effect.

What This Means for People Traveling from China

The updated rule could save time and cost for Chinese tourists planning to visit both Australia and New Zealand. It avoids the need to apply twice and cuts down on paperwork.

Those planning a trip can still apply for the regular five-year visa as another option, but this waiver allows more flexibility. It is ideal for short stays and could help people who might not otherwise take the extra step to visit NZ.

Agents and travelers will soon get access to better tools, including contact support based in China and information in their own language. These resources could clear up confusion and make the process feel more direct.