New Zealand Entry Requirements

Are you planning a visit to Auckland? Then you should be aware of the regulations concerning entry into New Zealand. That should be the first Auckland travel advice for you. Auckland is a very interesting destination for tourists. There is a lot to see once you get into the paradise of the pacific. But here is what you should know about entry.

Visa Requirements
Unless you are a citizen of New Zealand, you need a passport to enter the country. That is a basic requirement for all visitors. However, the visa requirements differ depending on which country you are coming from.

Australian citizens and those who have permanent residence in Australia do not need a visa to travel to New Zealand. They can enter and live in the country for as long as they wish; there are no restrictions including work and employment. Holders of UK passports can obtain a six month visa-free visitor’s permit at the point of entry.

People from a large number of countries are eligible for a three month visa-free visitor’s permit. These include Japan, Malaysia, Oman, Singapore, Taiwan, Israel and the United States. You can find out whether your country is part of this list or not at the embassy, high commission or consulate in your country.

Exceptions
But this does not mean a blank check for people from these countries. The waivers could be refused for any of a variety of reasons. People with criminal records, those who have been refused entry visas to other countries, people who have ever been deported from other countries may have to find out about whether they individually need a visa to enter New Zealand, even if they are from the visa exempt countries.

People who qualify for a visa-free but will be staying longer than the maximum period allowed must apply for the appropriate visa in order to stay. This information can be found at the New Zealand Immigration website.

Tourist entering New Zealand must provide evidence of exit plans before they are allowed to enter. You must either have a return ticket or show that you intend to travel to another country with visa and ticket. You will be asked to purchase an exit ticket at the point of entry if you don’t have one before you are checked in.

Quarantine Regulations
There are stringent laws concerning what you can enter the country with. These are laws made to protect the country against introduction of harmful foreign organisms that might destroy the countries agricultural systems. For that reason those backpacking New Zealand should therefore know that unprocessed food items including fruits like apples may be confiscated at the point of entry. There is therefore no need to carry a lot of them in your pack.