Is the New Zealand Border Reopening? I had to pinch myself when I first heard the news… And then I waited quite a long time before putting (virtual) pen to paper and actually writing about it in case it was postponed yet again… But it looks like it’s finally happening – New Zealand‘s border is set to fully reopen!
For people like me who have been living and working in New Zealand throughout the pandemic, it means we finally have the chance to visit family and friends overseas without the risk of being shut out of NZ. For those of you overseas, it means you can finally plan a trip to discover everything this remarkable country has to offer! And for those working in the NZ tourism industry, it’s the light at what has been a very long, dark tunnel. Read on for everything you need to know about the New Zealand border reopening…
So what do I need to know? The border will reopen in 6 stages as follows:
Stage 1: (From 11:59pm 27 February 2022)
Fully vaccinated New Zealand citizens and residents can enter New Zealand from Australia without having to self-isolate.
Stage 2(a): (From 11:59pm 4 March 2022)
Fully vaccinated New Zealand citizens and residents can enter New Zealand from anywhere in the world without having to self-isolate.
Stage 2(b): (From 11:59pm 13 March 2022)
Travellers on a working holiday visa can enter New Zealand from anywhere in the world without having to self-isolate!!! This also applies to skilled workers subject to the ‘other critical worker’ border exception.
Stage 3: (From 11:59pm 12 April 2022)
Fully vaccinated Australian citizens and permanent residents. Also, fully vaccinated people who have temporary work and student visas for NZ (applies to visa holders outside NZ but also those already in NZ who wish to travel overseas and return to NZ afterwards).
Stage 4: (From 11:59pm 01 May 2022)
Fully vaccinated travellers from visa-waiver countries and visitors from other countries who already hold a valid visitor visa. This means you could make it here in time for the ski season (June/July – September/October) – read about why NZ is the perfect winter destination here.
Stage 5: (TBC – intended to be from July 2022)
Fully vaccinated Accredited Employer Work Visa holders.
Stage 6: (TBC – intended to be from October 2022)
All other visa categories, including visitor and student visas.
Time to plan that trip of a lifetime!
Disclaimer: The information on this page is correct at the time of writing but subject to change depending on the NZ Government’s Covid response. Up-to-date information can be found on New Zealand’s official Unite Against Covid-19 website here: https://covid19.govt.nz/international-travel/travel-to-new-zealand/when-new-zealand-borders-open/
Read more of my posts about New Zealand here.
Read about why you should consider a Working Holiday Visa in New Zealand here.
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