New Zealand has signed an updated agreement with selected Chinese travel agents to streamline visitor visa processing under the Approved Destination Status (ADS) and Free and Independent Traveller (FIT) scheme. The Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) was signed in Shanghai on 25 September by Alison McDonald, Head of Immigration New Zealand (INZ), and Tourism New Zealand Chief Executive René de Monchy.
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The updated MOU aims to strengthen New Zealand’s tourism relationship with China and shorten visa processing times. Under the new agreement, INZ will process ADS and FIT applications within five days, down from the previous 10-day commitment. The MOU also allows ADS agents to include applications for Chinese travellers attending events, meetings, incentive trips, and study tours in their itineraries.
“China is a key market for New Zealand’s tourism sector, and INZ is committed to doing our part to grow visitor numbers and support the economy,” McDonald said. “In the 2024/25 financial year, INZ approved over 226,000 visitor visas for Chinese nationals, and we want to see that number increase even further. ADS agents play a critical role in helping us get more Chinese visitors to New Zealand and we know that providing certainty about an individual’s ability to come here helps make New Zealand a more attractive holiday destination.”
De Monchy said the agreement would enhance travel experiences for Chinese visitors. “China is New Zealand's third largest inbound visitor market, with the number of Chinese holiday visitors up 8% over the past year. The ongoing ADS arrangement plays a key role in ensuring tour groups from China on holiday in New Zealand enjoy a high-quality, safe, 100% Pure New Zealand visitor experience all year round,” he said.
The MOU complements broader immigration changes aimed at making New Zealand more accessible to Chinese visitors. Most Chinese nationals now receive a five-year multiple-entry visitor visa. From 3 November 2025, Chinese travellers arriving from Australia will be able to enter New Zealand using a New Zealand Electronic Travel Authority (NZeTA) for stays of up to three months, without a separate visitor visa. Transit through New Zealand will also be simplified with the introduction of a Transit NZeTA from 27 October 2025.
Earlier in June, the New Zealand government announced changes to make travel easier for Chinese tourists, reinforcing China as a key market for tourism, trade, business, and family connections.
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