Download essential travel information

Download the ‘Before You Go...Stop!’ PDF that provides New Zealand travellers with information about:

• passports
• safe travel
• airport security screening
• what embassy staff can and cannot help with
• coming home — traveller declaration.

Before You Go Stop! (PDF 1.8MB)

Check your passport

Check your passport is valid and acceptable, for example:

• not damaged
• expires after you return — note that some countries require your passport to still be valid for 6 months after you leave that country
• in the correct name
• signed by the passport holder — check the signature requirements for a child’s passport before signing.

Passport and visa travel information — New Zealand Passports

Check if you need a visa

Some countries will require you to have a visa or other travel documents. Check the visa and entry requirements for each country you plan on travelling to.

Passport and visa travel information — New Zealand Passports

Travel advice from NZ government

Travel advice from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (MFAT) tells New Zealanders how safe it is to travel to other countries.

The SafeTravel website has tips to help you stay safe overseas, what to do if things go wrong, and how the New Zealand government can or cannot help.

Official advice for New Zealanders living and travelling overseas — SafeTravel

Register with SafeTravel

SafeTravel is the official registration facility for New Zealanders travelling or living overseas.

If you’re registered, SafeTravel can:

• contact you if there is a major incident overseas
• send you updates about emergencies, natural disasters or terrorist attacks.

Registration — SafeTravel

Get travel insurance

You should get full comprehensive travel insurance before heading away. You need to make sure it covers everywhere you’re going, and everything you plan to do.

If you do not have travel insurance, you’ll have to pay any overseas medical costs yourself, including the cost of returning to New Zealand.

Pay fines or reparations

You could be stopped from travelling overseas at any New Zealand international airport if you have outstanding fines or reparations (court ordered payments).

By paying what you owe immediately, you can travel just like everyone else.

Travelling in the next 48 hours

It’s quickest to pay over the phone. Call the Ministry of Justice 24 hours a day, 7 days a week on 0800 729 677.

Travelling soon or already overseas

Pay your fines online on the Ministry of Justice website:

Ways to pay a fine — Ministry of Justice

If you get a benefit from Work and Income

Whether you can continue getting your main benefit depends on whether you’re going overseas temporarily or you’re moving overseas.

Going overseas while on a benefit — Work and Income

If you get NZ Super or a Veteran’s Pension

You may be able to continue getting your payments when you go overseas, check with Work and Income.

Going overseas for NZ Super or Veteran’s Pension — Work and Income

Update details with Inland Revenue

Paying tax

Your tax responsibilities in New Zealand will depend on your tax residency status and what overseas and NZ income you earn.

Check what you need to do before you leave.

Leaving New Zealand — Inland Revenue

Other payments and entitlements

Check what you need to do before you go if you pay or receive other payments through Inland Revenue.

I am leaving New Zealand — Inland Revenue

Student loan

Repayment amounts and whether interest is charged will depend on where you’re going and for how long.

Working for Families

You need to let Inland Revenue know you are going overseas as it might affect your payments.

KiwiSaver

Check your options for KiwiSaver — for example, transferring or withdrawing your savings.

Child support

You need to update your details when you move so you can continue making or receiving payments.