New Zealand Reopens to Visa Waiver Countries

New Zealand has finally reopened its borders to international visitors from visa waiver countries including the UK.

Since 1 May, New Zealand has lifted the international travel ban that has been in place for more than two years.

Arrivals must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and meet all other entry requirements.

“We’re ready to welcome the world back,”
Prime Minister, Jacinda Ardern

The move is step 4 of New Zealand’s 5-stage reopening plan. The plan aims to fully reopen the country’s borders by late 2022, after more than 2 years of a complete travel ban for foreigners.

Entry to New Zealand

Visitors from the other 60 countries which don’t require a visa will be allowed to enter the country along with travellers from other countries who already hold a valid visitor visa.

Only fully vaccinated international travellers will be allowed in. However, children aged 16 and under are exempt, as are those who can prove they cannot be vaccinated for medical reasons, plus New Zealand citizens.

To be considered “fully vaccinated” travellers must have had a full course of an approved Covid-19 vaccine.

Travellers can have a combination of different vaccines if that combination is an approved course in the country you received them.

Arrivals will have to take three Covid tests: one before departure, another on entry and a third taken five or six days after arrival.

The pre-departure test can be a PCR administered no more than 48 hours before the scheduled departure of your first international flight to New Zealand, or a supervised rapid antigen or supervised LAMP test administered no more than 24 hours before the scheduled departure of your first international flight to New Zealand.

Travellers are then given two rapid antigen tests on arrival to be self-administered on the day of arrival and day five or six of their stay.

Quarantine and Rules Within New Zealand

Quarantine is no longer necessary for vaccinated travellers, provided their post-arrival Covid tests are negative otherwise travellers will need to self-isolate for seven days.

New Zealand has been using a traffic light system and the entire country is currently classed as Orange. This means wearing a face mask on all public transport and on domestic flights in New Zealand. Check out New Zealand’s Government Covid-19 website for guidance on face mask use, and the current traffic light system.

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IaM can help with your visa application to Europe, the United States, the UK & other countries

If you need help with a US visa, a UK Visa, or a visa to Europe, including help with appointment booking obligations, IaM can help. For more information and advice on US immigration, UK immigration law and US visa applications or if you need any help or assistance please, reach out to your Visa Coordinator at IaM.

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