- Entry Restrictions
Most travelers are currently prohibited from entering New Zealand, except for the following:
- New Zealand citizens or permanent residents;
- Holders of resident visas with valid travel conditions (unless they received a resident visa outside New Zealand and have never used it to travel to New Zealand);
- Partners or dependent children of New Zealand citizens or residents, holding visas that are based on this relationship;
- Australian citizens or permanent residents ordinarily residing in New Zealand;
All other travelers – even those holding a valid work or student visa – seeking to enter New Zealand must show that the travel is for a critical purpose and they must request approval from the Immigration Department. If approved, travelers are invited to apply for a Critical Purpose Visitor Visa or a variation to their existing work/student visa.
Passengers are prohibited from transiting via New Zealand, except for the following:
- Australian and New Zealand citizens
- Holders of resident visas in New Zealand;
- Passengers holding with New Zealand Electronic Travel Authority (NZeTA);
- Passengers with a transit visa issued by New Zealand.
Transit is only allowed at Auckland airport and for a maximum 24 hours. Transit through New Zealand to China PRC is prohibited.
2. Quarantine/Self-Isolation Requirements
Travelers to New Zealand from all countries are tested for COVID-19 and a 14-day managed quarantine or isolation is mandatory. Travelers are required to obtain a Managed Isolation Allocation system voucher confirming their place in a managed isolation facility before boarding a flight to New Zealand. The Managed Isolation and Quarantine business group within the Ministry of Business, Innovation, and Employment is responsible for the Managed Isolation Allocation System.
Everyone returning to New Zealand, including New Zealand citizens or permanent residents, must stay in a managed isolation or quarantine for at least 14 days and return a negative COVID-19 test before they can go into the community, unless an exemption has been granted. Exemptions to managed isolation are rare and will only be issued in very limited circumstances and where the health risk is low and can be managed.
Please note that this page is updated on an ongoing basis, but COVID-19 related restrictions and policies are subject to frequent and sudden change, often with little to no advance notice to the public. Therefore, to ensure that you have the latest updates, we recommend that you reach out to T&S at apac@tandslaw.com for additional information.
