Before you travel
Avoid surprises — before you go, find and check your passport, pay your fines and check if there are any special travel requirements for the countries you’re visiting.
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.
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
If you have unpaid fines and try to leave or come into New Zealand, the police can stop you at the airport. You’ll be allowed to pay by credit card over the phone.
If you’re leaving New Zealand and think you have overdue fines that may stop you from travelling, call 0800 729 677 to pay with your credit card.
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.
Who to contact for more help
If you need more help or have questions about the information or services on this page, contact one of the following agencies.
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Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade
Contact and agency details -
Work and Income
Contact and agency details -
Passports office
Contact and agency details
Utility links and page information
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