D-day for new travel screening
Tougher border controls coming into force tomorrow mean many overseas visitors must get an electronic travel authority before they can board flights or cruises to New Zealand.
Immigration New Zealand has stationed more than 30 staff around the world to handle any glitches with the new electronic travel authority (ETA) which is available online or via a mobile phone app.
From October 1, about 1.5 million travellers from 60 countries who previously did not need visitor visas will now have to declare any criminal history before departure.
More than 180,000 people have applied for ETAS since Immigration NZ opened processing at the end of July and, based on last year’s arrival figures, about 98,000 visitors needing them are expected to come here in October.
Immigration policy director Nick Aldous said it was encouraging that travellers were applying well in advance and weren’t leaving it to the last minute, especially ahead of the summer travel period.
‘‘Since the system went live, we have received thousands of ETA requests every day, with over 99 per cent of those processed automatically.’’
The tourism industry was initially nervous about the potential for chaos if large numbers of travellers arrived at check-ins without an ETA, and it is hoping a major global publicity campaign targeting travel agents, online booking systems and airlines has done its job.
Aldous said 30 staff – most of them sent from New Zealand – would be on hand in airports and ports in Europe, Asia, Australia, the Middle East and North and South America to assist travellers.
‘‘The staff will initially be there for two weeks but this will depend on what we are seeing around the world in regards to data on how many travellers are showing up at airports without ETAS, and if there are any issues arising that require staff to be on the ground for longer.’’
Australian citizens are exempt, along with Kiwis travelling on New Zealand passports, holders of valid New Zealand visas, crew and passengers on non-cruise vessels, foreign cargo ship crews, guests of the Government, and visiting defence force personnel.
People refused an ETA are able to apply for a visa and, depending on their circumstances, they may be allowed in.
As of last week, 77 people had been refused ETAS but Immigration NZ was unable to say how many were actually prevented from travelling here.
It has estimated the new prearrival vetting could see 2000 to 3000 people refused entry annually. Last year, more than 3000 visitors were not allowed to board flights to New Zealand. Another 1173 were sent back on arrival.
An ETA costs $12 online or $9 via the app, and is also being used to collect the $35 a head international visitor levy, raising more than $11 million to date.
The levy is expected to raise $450m over the next five years and the Government recently announced a 10-member advisory group to help decide where money should be spent. It will be chaired by Catherine Taylor, a Nelson Airport director and a NZ Transport Agency board member.