Some countries will refuse entry to people whose passport isn’t valid for at least six months after they plan to leave that country, even if they’re just transiting through that country. If you already have a passport, make sure it’s not about to expire, and renew your passport if you need to.
Find out more on the Government’s passports website.
There’s also some use information about passports in the Government’s Before you go brochure.
Passports are issued by the Department of Internal Affairs and are necessary for most international travel. If you need to get a passport quickly, there is an urgent service available.
Apply for a passport, or learn more about rules and timing, on the Government’s passports website.
Outside of New Zealand, the only New Zealand passport offices that can issue passports are in London or Sydney.
If your passport has been lost or stolen and you need to travel in the next 3 days, we can give you advice on what to do, based on your location, and your travel plans. We may be able to help you get an Emergency Travel Document (ETD). But ETDs are significantly more expensive than urgent passports.
Find out more about ETDs on our Lost passport or belongings page
You might need a visa to enter the country you are travelling to or transiting through, depending on:
Visa requirements are set by the destination (or transit) country, and it’s your responsibility to make sure you have the visa you need to enter.
Having a visa does not guarantee entry into another country. It’s up to the country’s immigration officials to decide.
Check with the immigration authorities of the countries you’re travelling to find out visa and entry requirements. If you can’t find this information, the nearest embassy for the country you’re travelling to may be able to help.
Foreign representatives to New Zealand
Visas to travel to New Zealand are issued by Immigration New Zealand. Apply for a visa or find out more on the Immigration New Zealand website.
