New Zealand Entry and Travel Requirements
Entry requirements to New Zealand include all the necessary documents that travelers must prepare before arriving in New Zealand, as well as the rules they must follow to be allowed to enter New Zealand territory without problems What.
Due to the coronavirus pandemic, the New Zealand government has introduced a number of additional restrictions to help ensure the safety of New Zealanders and incoming overseas visitors.
Travelers must meet certain health requirements, including being vaccinated against Covid-19. From April 2022, all travelers to New Zealand must also complete a Travel Declaration. Pre-departure testing requirements were lifted on June 20, 2022. The majority of foreigners planning to visit New Zealand will also need to apply for a visa before travelling. Only Australian citizens are exempt from the requirement to obtain a travel permit or visa from an embassy. Additionally, Australians can obtain residency status upon arrival in New Zealand under the Trans-Tasman Travel Agreement. Visitors from other countries must apply for a visa or electronic travel permit before planning to travel. Currently, more than 70 visa-free countries can travel to New Zealand using NZeTA. New Zealand remained closed for more than 2 years. New Zealand's five-phase border reopening schedule begins in February 2022. Each subsequent phase of the reopening plan includes new groups of travelers being able to enter New Zealand.
We recommend that you familiarize yourself with up-to-date information on New Zealand entry requirements before each trip to this breathtaking Pacific island nation. Due to the increasing epidemic situation worldwide, the participation rules may change at short notice. Important update! As of September 12, New Zealand authorities have abolished vaccination and testing requirements. Travelers from anywhere in the world can enter New Zealand without proof of Covid-19 vaccination or a negative test result.
Who can enter New Zealand?
Currently, the following travel groups are allowed to travel to New Zealand:
- New Zealand citizens
- permanent residents of New Zealand or holders of a residence visa
- Spouse of a New Zealand citizen or resident or dependent child on a New Zealand visa based on relationship
- Australian citizen or Australian permanent resident visa holder
- working holiday visa holders
- work visa holders who meet the visa conditions
- student visa holders who meet the visa conditions
- tourist visa holders
- travelers from visa-exempt countries with the New Zealand Electronic Travel Authority (NZeTA)
- transit visa holders
- visitors who have been granted a visa for important travel reasons
July 2022
New Zealand also plans to welcome other tourist groups in the coming months. From 4 July 2022, the following vaccinated travelers can enter New Zealand and self-test on arrival:
- tourists coming to New Zealand on a recognized work visa;
- tourists arriving on a work visa.
Full reopening is expected at the end of July. The country will reopen applications for all visa types to visitors from around the world on July 31, 2022. Only vaccinated travelers will be allowed to enter New Zealand.
Document checklist for entry to New Zealand
- valid passport
- New Zealand tourist card
- Valid New Zealand Visa / NZeTA / Tourist Visa
- proof of traveler's vaccination status (no longer required)
- Travel insurance contract (optional)
Testing, Vaccination, and Quarantine Requirements
Check before departure
The majority of travelers to New Zealand are required to provide a negative Covid-19 test result before departing into the country. There are only a few exceptions among travelers who do not require testing.
New Zealand authorities have removed pre-departure testing requirements. As of 20 June 2022, pre-departure testing is no longer required for flights to New Zealand.
Check in after arrival
Most visitors to New Zealand must take two rapid antigen tests upon arrival: the first must be taken on January 0 and the second on June 5 of their stay. Each traveler will receive a welcome packet containing a RAT kit when clearing customs. Reporting SV results is mandatory, even if they are negative.
Vaccination required
Unvaccinated travelers are allowed to enter Zeeland, with some exceptions. If you are aged 17 or over and are not a New Zealand citizen or resident or an Australian citizen living in New Zealand, you must meet the Covid-19 vaccination requirements to travel to New Zealand.
You will need to provide a digital vaccination passport or another form of paper or electronic certificate issued by a government health agency confirming that you have received all Covid-19 vaccinations. Currently, 35 different coronavirus vaccine manufacturers have been approved for entry into New Zealand.
Travel groups exempt from the requirement to prove vaccination include:
- New Zealand citizens
- New Zealand residence visa holders
- Australian citizens living in New Zealand
- travelers 16 years of age or younger
- travelers cannot be vaccinated against Covid-19 due to medical reasons (with confirmation of medical documents)
- refugees arriving in New Zealand for the first time
- evacuated citizens of Afghanistan
- people from Antarctica
- who have obtained a visa under the special visa policy of Ukraine 2022
- persons permanently resident in Ukraine at any time on or after January 1, 2022
Quarantine required
New Zealand implemented Managed Isolation and Quarantine (MIQ) in April 2021. MIQ facilities based in hotels have been used to house people in quarantine and Quarantine receives healthcare professionals. Currently, most visitors to New Zealand do not need to enter MIQ. MIQ is used in limited circumstances, for example against refugees and ship crews. The MIQ voucher reservation system has effectively closed in March 2022.
Self-isolate for 7 days
If you are coming to New Zealand for short-term travel or other temporary purposes and you test positive for Covid-19 after staying in the country for 7 days or more, you must:
- 7-day quarantine (must have a quarantine plan)
- arrange your own quarantine accommodation and cover the costs
- cover medical expenses
Self-isolation can end after 7 days without having to take a Covid-19 test or receive an official notice to leave the quarantine place.
Traveling from New Zealand
Before leaving New Zealand, you should check the current requirements of the country you want to visit. Visit the official website of the country you will visit or transit through, or contact that country's embassy, consulate or other diplomatic mission for relevant information.
Be sure to check the requirements for:
- visa policy;
- Covid-19 entry process, including proof of vaccination, Covid-19 testing, quarantine and other Covid-related restrictions.
Some countries may require travelers to take a pre-departure coronavirus test before leaving New Zealand. Pre-departure testing for international travel is not part of the public health response. Travelers should check the types of tests accepted for a given destination as well as the time frames in which the test must be taken to be valid.
Traveling to New Zealand
New Zealand implemented a five-phase reopening schedule announced in February 2022. The country's authorities for the first time allowed entry to New Zealand citizens and residents wishing to return home from 'Australia'. The reopening program brought expected results and the authorities decided to accelerate the next stages. Until the end of July 2022, all visa categories will be reopened to vaccinated travelers from anywhere in the world.
Every traveler should check whether they are eligible to enter New Zealand and ask about the necessary documents to prepare before their planned trip.
Entry Rules for Children
- Children 2 years old and under – No pre-departure test required.
- Children over 2 years old: Must have negative test results before departure.
- Children aged 16 and under – Can enter New Zealand without a Covid-19 vaccination certificate.
- Children over 16 years of age – Must be fully vaccinated to enter New Zealand, including for transit purposes.
Transit through New Zealand
Travelers can only transit through Auckland International Airport, where they must stay in the airport's transit area. Passengers are allowed to stay in transit for a maximum of 24 hours. For longer stops, they are not considered transit passengers and must meet the entry requirements that apply to regular travelers.
Entering New Zealand for more than 24 hours requires a visa. Additionally, transit travelers who are not New Zealand citizens, residents or Australian citizens living in New Zealand must be fully vaccinated to be eligible for transit. Vaccination requirements apply to all transit travelers over 16 years of age, even those who will not pass through customs.
Passengers in transit are exempt from pre-departure testing. However, if the final destination requires pre-departure testing, travelers will still need to be tested. Additionally, it is the traveler's responsibility to familiarize themselves with the requirements applicable to the final destination country.
Visa requirements
If you plan to visit New Zealand for tourism purposes, you will need to apply for a visa before traveling unless you:
- a New Zealand citizen holding a New Zealand passport or a foreign passport endorsed by a New Zealand citizen;
- an Australian citizen traveling to New Zealand on an Australian passport;
- foreign passport holders with a valid New Zealand visa (including permanent residence visa).
If you do not fall into any of the categories listed above, you will need to apply for a New Zealand visa. Citizens of approximately 70 visa-exempt countries can travel visa-free using NZeTA available online. Those who do not qualify for an electronic travel permit must have a tourist visa.
NZeTA
Since July 2019, New Zealand has made it easier for visitors from certain countries to enter the country visa-free. Qualified travelers can receive their electronic travel authorization completely online within 72 business hours.
NZeTA is issued as a multiple-entry electronic visa for tourism, business or transit purposes. Travelers can stay in New Zealand with NZeTA for up to 3 months within a 2 year validity period.
You can get NZeTA in just a few simple steps using any electronic device with an internet connection. Remember, even if you only intend to transit through New Zealand, you will still need to have an NZeTA.
New Zealand Traveler Declaration
All travelers planning to arrive in New Zealand by air must complete a New Zealand Travel Declaration within 24 to 48 hours before the first flight of their planned trip. The information provided on the form is essential in deciding whether travelers are required to self-screen on arrival and can enter the country without quarantine.
Confirmation of the traveler's declaration as well as a Visitor Card is required to board a flight to New Zealand.
Important:
The declaration must be completed even if you only plan to transit through New Zealand!
Once you have completed your health form, you will need to upload your vaccination certificate and negative pre-departure test results. Each application is followed by the issuance of a Travel Card, which will be sent to the applicant's email address. The travel card contains a unique QR code valid for one trip to New Zealand.
All travelers must prepare the following information to complete the Traveler Declaration:
- passport data
- flight information
- proof of vaccination
- pre-departure inspection certificate
- travel history in the past 14 days before planned travel to New Zealand
- New Zealand contact details
- Emergency contact details
Travel cards will be checked at airport security upon arrival in New Zealand. You can display its digital or printed copy.
Travel Insurance
Some New Zealand visas may require insurance as a visa condition. Whatever the reason for your trip to New Zealand - study, work or holiday, you should consider purchasing travel insurance, although it is not mandatory.
Travel insurance can protect you against certain disruptions to your travel plans, such as lost or stolen luggage or a canceled trip. Good vacation insurance can also help you avoid high emergency medical care costs. When traveling during the ongoing pandemic, check the details of your insurance policy and make sure it includes Covid-19 cover.
