New Zealand entry requirements: Get ready for your trip

New Zealand is an outdoors paradise, with mountains, lakes, rivers, waterfalls and even fjords waiting for you. If you're looking for culture, traveling to New Zealand is also for you as Māori cultural traditions are incredibly rich. You can also visit the Lord of the Rings filming locations. 

If you're planning on traveling to this breathtaking land and you're not sure about what you need, this article will tell you everything you need to know. 

Entry requirements for New Zealand

Passport 

All travelers must have a valid passport with at least 3 months validity and a blank page for stamps. You must also hold a return or onward ticket or enough money to purchase one. 

Visas 

Most travelers will need to apply for a New Zealand visa, except if they are:  

• An Australian resident or citizen.
• A UK citizen or passport holder and they are staying in New Zealand for less than 6 months. 
• Eligible for the NZeTA, (New Zealand Electronic Travel Authority) and are staying for less than 3 months. 

If you are eligible for the NZeTA travel authorization, which is available for over 60 nationalities, you can apply for it online and save yourself the waiting time at the airport. This is for people travelling to the country as tourists.

If you are travelling for other purposes or wish to stay longer, you will have to apply for a visa, so make sure you know all How to get a New Zealand visa for other types of visas. 

Travel insurance

Although travel insurance is not compulsory to travel to New Zealand, it is best if you have it as there is no free healthcare. If you face any health problems, it can end up being very costly. 

Currency 

The New Zealand currency is the New Zealand Dollar (NZD) and it is divided into 100 cents. There are 5, 10, 20, 50 and 100 dollar notes and 1 and 2 dollars and 10, 20 and 50 cent coins. 

1 NZD is worth 0,58 EURO or 0,56 USD. 

There are plenty of ATMs in New Zealand, so you don't need to exchange currency before you travel, but it's best to check with your bank to make sure your card works before you travel.  The NZD is also used as currency in some areas of Polynesia, for example Niue, Tokelau and the Pitcairn Islands.

What are Covid-19 requirements to enter New Zealand?

Covid-19 vaccines or testing requirements are no longer compulsory for travellers to New Zealand. Travellers do not require proof of vaccination or a pre-departure test to enter New Zealand.

Do I need to be vaccinated to enter NZ? 

There are some routine vaccines that you should have before travelling to New Zealand. These are: Hepatitis A and B, Meningitis, Polio, Measles, Mumps, Rubella, Tdap, Chickenpox, Shingles, Pneumonia and Influenza.