March 26, 2008

New transit visa policy comes into effect Friday

As of Friday, March 28 new policy changes mean that more people will require a transit visa if they plan to stop in New Zealand. According to an article on Radio New Zealand News, transit visas will be required for all travellers passing through New Zealand.

Under the previous policy, travellers did not need a visitor visa if they are stopping at a New Zealand airport on their way to another country (staying for up to 24 hours and not leaving the transit area of the airport). However, transit visas were only required for people travelling to and from Pacific nations.

What’s changed? The new policy extends the requirement to all travellers who are not covered by the following exemptions:
  • current New Zealand visa holders
  • Travellers whose next destination is New Zealand or Australia.
  • Travellers who hold a passport from a visa-free country or from a visa exempted county.

All others will be required to apply for a transit visa. The good news is that the list of visa-free countries is quite extensive and includes Canada, the US, Australia and the UK among many others.

Need more information or want to apply for a visa? Check out the Immigration New Zealand website.

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