Britons warned they will not be able to enter New Zealand without following new rule – could affect thousands

Britons thinking of heading down under to New Zealand have been told: “Everyone travelling into New Zealand needs to complete a New Zealand Traveller Declaration.”

With 167,002 people visiting New Zealand from the UK in 2023, and 231,712 pre-pandemic in 2019, this change could affect hundreds of thousands of Britons.

“It is free and you can do it via the online form or the NZTD app. There is a paper declaration form available for travellers who cannot complete it online.

“Your declaration is linked to your passport and is checked when you arrive at the eGate or by a border officer.

“If you hold a New Zealand visa or a NZeTA, you still need to complete a declaration as well.”

Travelling by air

Holidaymakers were told: “The earliest you can submit your declaration is 24 hours before you start your trip to New Zealand. It needs to be submitted by the time you reach passport control in New Zealand.”

Travelling by sea

The FCDO warned Britons: “The earliest you can submit your declaration is 24 hours before departing the vessel’s last foreign port prior to arriving in New Zealand.

“It needs to be submitted by the time the vessel has arrived at its first port in New Zealand.”

The New Zealand government shared that in the declaration visitors must provide their passport, flight or sea voyage details and contact details including where they will be based in New Zealand, their immigration status (if required), details about their trip, including their recent travel history, and items they are bringing into New Zealand.

The FCDO provides lots of information on entry requirements for New Zealand, including guidance for Covid, passport validity requirements, visa requirements, vaccination requirements, and customs rules.

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