When travelling to countries like Cook Islands, Fiji, Niue, Samoa, Tonga, Vanuatu etc travellers often transit through New Zealand. A commonly asked question is “Do I need to apply for a visa if I am just passing through New Zealand?”
This blog will answer the above question.
A transit visa is issued to a traveller who is transiting (i.e. passing through) one country to reach another destination.
Travellers passing through New Zealand to reach another country, usually one of the Pacific countries, and who do not plan on staying in New Zealand beyond 24 hours need to apply for an NZ Transit Visa.
Transit passengers can only travel through the Auckland International Airport and must stay in the airport’s transit area (aka the immigration control area) or remain on board the aircraft.
If you are from a transit visa waiver country and pass through the Auckland International Airport on your way to another country, you do not have to apply for a visa. Instead, you must get an NZeTA before travelling to New Zealand.
Indonesia, Philippines, Thailand, Kiribati, Naru, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Tonga, Tuvalu, Venezuela, Colombia and the Bahamas are some of the countries that feature on the List of Transit Visa Waiver Countries. You must see the complete list for clarity by clicking here.
Get in touch with Immigration Advisors New Zealand Ltd, which provides up-to-date immigration information so you can consider opportunities and prepare yourself for the future. To know all the required procedures, contact us at [email protected] or call +64 09 3790219.
Vandana Rai is a Senior Licensed Immigration Adviser and has built a reputation around her rare set of skills, which could be considered ideal for her legal profession.