This article was published on March 18, 2022, and all the information in the article is correct as of this time. Before you book your trip, we highly recommend that you also check official sources for the most up-to-date travel requirements, as they are subject to constant change.
Can I enter New Zealand?
As of January 2022, New Zealand has some of the strictest COVID-19 restrictions for traveling in the world. Only citizens and holders of residential visas can enter and leave New Zealand.
However, New Zealand is reopening its borders in the foreseeable future. Please scroll to the “Who cannot enter New Zealand?” section to see what countries New Zealand is to be open to.
Currently, if you are not a citizen of New Zealand, you have to fall under critical purposes to travel:
- Partners and dependent children of temporary visa holders who are teachers
- Partners and dependent children of temporary visa holders
- Partners and family
- Normally resident work visa holders
- Critical workers
- Entry for students
- Ship crew
Concerning foreign travelers, as of April 2022, New Zealand is open only to residents of the following countries via the “Quarantine Free” program:
- American Samoa
- Cook Islands
- Nauru
- Niue
- Samoa
- Tokelau
- Tuvalu, or
- Vanuatu
The first thing all travelers have to do is to complete the Health Declaration Form before departing to New Zealand.
Please note that all the information about documents presented below refers to you only if your reasons to travel are on the list above.
Travel documents if I am vaccinated
- A vaccination certificate
- A negative PCR or RAT or LAMP test within 24 hours before entering New Zealand
As for vaccination, New Zealand accepts 29 vaccine drugs. It is sufficient to have at least one dose of any vaccine 14 days before arriving in New Zealand to be considered vaccinated.
- Pfizer/BioNTech
- AstraZeneca (Vaxzevria)
- AstraZeneca, Serum Institute of India (Covishield)
- Janssen / Johnson & Johnson (Janssen)
- Moderna (Spikevax)
- Sinovac (CoronaVac)
- Sinopharm / Beijing
- Sinopharm
- Takeda
- Gamaleya / Sputnik V
- Gamaleya / Sputnik light
- CanSino
- Bharat Biotech (Covaxi)
- Zydus Cadila
- Anhui Zhifei Longcom
- Beijing Minhai Biotechnology Co
- Shifa Pharmed Industrial Co
- EpiVacCorona
- Chumakov Centre (KoviVac)
- QazVac
- Medigen COVID-19 vaccine
- Abdala
- Vaxine/Cinna Gen Co (SpikoGen)
- Serum Institute of India, Covovax
- Soberana 02, FINLAY-FR-2, Pasteurcovac
- Soberana Plus, FINLAY-FR-1A
- FAKHRAVAC, MIVAC
- Razi Cov Pars
- Novovax
Travel documents if you are unvaccinated
If you are unvaccinated, please present the following document:
- A negative PCR or RT-PCR test result no older than 48 hours or RAT or LAMP test within 24 hours before arriving in New Zealand
Who cannot enter New Zealand now?
Currently, New Zealand citizens and residents can enter New Zealand. If you are a foreigner, you must have a compelling reason to travel.
As of April 2022, residents of the following countries can enter New Zealand via the “Quarantine Free” program:
- American Samoa
- Cook Islands
- Nauru
- Niue
- Samoa
- Tokelau
- Tuvalu, or
- Vanuatu
From April 12, 2022 borders are to be open to Australian travelers.
From May 1, 2022, so called “visa waivers” will be able to enter New Zealand from the following countries:
- Andorra
- Argentina
- Austria
- Bahrain
- Belgium
- Brazil
- Brunei
- Bulgaria
- Canada
- Chile
- Croatia
- Cyprus
- Czech Republic
- Denmark
- Estonia (citizens only)
- Finland
- France
- Germany
- Greece
- Hong Kong (residents with HKSAR or British National–Overseas passports only)
- Hungary
- Iceland
- Ireland
- Israel
- Italy
- Japan
- Korea, South
- Kuwait
- Latvia (citizens only)
- Liechtenstein
- Lithuania (citizens only)
- Luxembourg
- Macau (only if you have a Macau Special Administrative Region passport)
- Malaysia
- Malta
- Mauritius
- Mexico
- Monaco
- Netherlands
- Norway
- Oman
- Poland
- Portugal (if you have the right to live permanently in Portugal)
- Qatar
- Romania
- San Marino
- Saudi Arabia
- Seychelles
- Singapore
- Slovak Republic
- Slovenia
- Spain
- Sweden
- Switzerland
- Taiwan (permanent residents)
- United Arab Emirates
- United Kingdom (UK) (if you are traveling on a UK or British passport that shows you have the right to reside permanently in the UK)
- United States of America (USA) (including USA nationals)
- Uruguay
- Vatican City
From July 2022, travelers using the Accredited Employer Work Visa will be able to enter New Zealand.
From October 2022, all visa categories will be reopened to visit New Zealand.
Can I leave New Zealand?
New Zealanders are advised not to travel overseas at this time. Additionally, the New Zealand Government has raised its travel advice to “do not travel” — the highest level — for all destinations except the Cook Islands. Still, citizens of other countries can leave New Zealand if following the requirements of their destination country.
Travel documents if you are vaccinated
- A document confirming vaccination
Please be aware that COVID-19 tests can be required from vaccinated travelers in some countries.
Travel documents if you are unvaccinated
Unvaccinated travelers have to present one of the following documents:
- Documentation of recovery from covid (it has to state that the visitor has been infected no later than six months before the day of crossing the border of a particular country)
- A negative covid test result (the relevant period and kind of test may vary, please check the requirements of the destination country)
COVID-19 situation in New Zealand currently
As of January 2022, COVID-19 situation in New Zealand is safe compared to many countries of the world. Over 76% of the total population has been vaccinated.
FAQs
Is it safe to travel to New Zealand right now?
International travel to New Zealand is safe (however, not permitted for tourism). Please make sure to follow basic COVID-19 regulations concerning masks and present all the necessary documents.
Is Wellington open for travel?
Currently, Wellington is not open for tourism.
Do I have to quarantine if I go to New Zealand?
As of April 2022, travelers no longer need to undergo quarantine in special accomodation. Instead of this, all travelers receive a pack with two antigen tests. They have to:
- Take a test on day one
- Take a test on day five
- Report both results via email they receive after completing the Health Declaration Form before departure
How do I get a health pass to travel to New Zealand?
So far, foreign travelers can install the My Vaccine Pass app to attach their vaccination proof and be able to enter all massive events and businesses in New Zealand. Although from April 4, 2022, visitors no longer have to present it, particular businesses can still use this system if they consider it necessary.
Useful links:
Visit our Travel Restriction section at Kiwi.com Stories to read more travel restrictions articles
