Kia Ora! The international borders of New Zealand are now fully open to all international travellers!
Previously announced to reopen in October, the date was pushed forward to August 1 2022 as Spring and Summer, their bumper tourism seasons, are approaching. The borders reopened in time for Winter and their famous Ski Season. The maritime borders have also re-opened to foreign vessels – including cruise ships and luxury yachts.
New Zealand first closed their borders at the start of the pandemic, in March 2020. Only recently this year, they began opening up their borders in phases. Previously, only visitors from visa-waived countries could enter the country. Vaccinated travellers with tourist, student or work visas can now enter New Zealand.
If you are from a visa waiver country, you must apply for a NZeTA (New Zealand Electronic Travel Authority) before your trip. An NZeTA requests costs NZD$23 if you apply online or NZD$17 if you apply on their free app.
Though entry rules are relaxed now, international travellers still need to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and take two tests upon their arrival, without any quarantine.
Now that New Zealand is finally re-connecting with the world after a two years absence, there is another country to add to your ‘Revenge Travel’ list. If you’re already in the midst of planning a trip there, check out the Best Things to do in New Zealand.
