passports.govt.nz

Before you travel

Visit SafeTravel.govt.nz for travel advisories and essential information for New Zealander's travelling or living overseas

SafeTravel.govt.nz provides guidance on how to prepare for your travel, and what to do if trouble strikes you overseas. The website contains general travel advice, as well as specific travel advisories for particular areas.

Go to safetravel.govt.nz for more tips and travel advice

• Check your passport is valid before you use it

  Before you travel you should check your passport is not damaged, it has enough empty pages for visa stamps to be added by border officials, and that it won't expire soon.

• Going to Australia - on holiday or to live

  If you're going to Australia on a holiday or to live long-term, here are some things you need to know before you leave New Zealand and when you arrive in Australia.

• Going to the United States of America

  Find out about getting a travel authorisation before you fly, or applying for a visa. There are other requirements for travel to the USA, even if you're just passing through.

• Keep your passport safe while travelling

  Your passport is the next-best thing to your ticket home. Make sure you carry your passport with you at all times, and take steps to look after it while you're travelling.

• SmartGate - save you time at the airport

  SmartGate speeds up the time it takes to get through passport control at Australian and New Zealand airports. SmartGate will be fully installed by 2011.

• Travelling to Libya - extra requirements

  New Zealand passport holders travelling to Libya must provide an authorised translation of the information from the photo page of their passport.

• Travelling to Syria - extra requirements

  You need details of your passport confirmed by the New Zealand Passport office if you’re applying for a Syrian visa.

• Unpaid fines could stop you travelling

  If you have any outstanding fines you may not be allowed to leave New Zealand until your fines and reparations are all squared up.