Official advice for New Zealanders living and travelling overseas
Official advice for New Zealanders living and travelling overseas
ALERT - COVID-19 - Do not travel overseas at this time. Due to the difficulty travellers are experiencing returning home, New Zealanders overseas need to take steps to stay safely where they are and shelter in place....Read more
ALERT - COVID-19 - Do not travel overseas at this time. Due to the difficulty travellers are experiencing returning home, New Zealanders overseas need to take steps to stay safely where they are and shelter in place....Read more
Reviewed: 2 April 2020, 13:10 NZDT
The New Zealand Government moved New Zealand to COVID-19 Alert Level 4 on 11:59pm on Wednesday 25 March. For more information on what this means, visit the New Zealand Government’s dedicated COVID-19 website. Advice for New Zealanders currently overseasDo not travel overseas at this time. Transport and transit options to return to New Zealand have reduced significantly. Even booked flights may be cancelled. We recognise that not all New Zealanders who want to return home are able to do so....Read More
Reviewed: 17 March 2020, 14:01 NZDT
A number of countries and territories are currently experiencing an active outbreak of COVID-19 (coronavirus) which originated in Wuhan City in China. We are monitoring the situation closely including the implications for overseas travel. With the situation changing rapidly, our travel advisories are under close review so please check this News Feature regularly. It is being updated as new information comes to hand. For more information on COVID-19 , please see our COVID-19 (coronavirus)...Read More
Reviewed: 17 March 2020, 13:56 NZDT
On 3 January 2020, an Iranian military commander and Iraqi paramilitary leaders were killed in a U.S. airstrike near Baghdad International Airport. On 8 January, Iran fired missiles against two military bases in Iraq containing U.S personnel. On 8 January, a Ukrainian International Airlines flight was shot down shortly after take-off from Tehran. Iranian authorities have acknowledged responsibility. On 11 March, the coalition base at Taji in Iraq was attacked, and there have been subseque...Read More
Reviewed: 3 March 2020, 12:53 NZDT
Following civil unrest and violence across Chile in October and November 2019, there is the potential for further demonstrations, protests and violent clashes in Santiago and other major cities, including Valparaíso, Viña del Mar, Punta Arenas, Puerto Montt, Concepción and Antofagasta, in March and April 2020. We continue to advise New Zealanders to exercise increased caution in Chile. Read what our advisory levels mean and the full advice on SafeTravel. New Zealanders in Chile should cont...Read More
Reviewed: 26 February 2020, 15:30 NZDT
Bushfires are a common threat in Australia during the summer period. If you are in or near an affected area, stay safe and follow the advice of local authorities. In the event of emergency, always call Triple Zero (000). Details of affected areas, health services, preparedness information, and evacuation centres can be found at the following sites: Australian Capital Territory:ACT Emergency Services Agency New South Wales:New South Wales Rural Fire Service ,New South Wales Government Emergency...Read More
Reviewed: 5 February 2020, 15:15 NZDT
New Zealand citizens who plan to continue living in the UK after it leaves the EU can: use the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) website tool to seek guidance on visa status and rights to stay. find more information in the UK's Department for Exiting the European Union: https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/department-for-exiting-the-european-union. If you are a New Zealander who holds a European passport, or who has a European spouse you should refer to guidance from the UK Governme...Read More
Reviewed: 21 January 2020, 12:01 NZDT
The lake Taal volcano in Batangas province, located 60km south of Manila, has been showing increasing signs of volcanic activity. The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS) has been assessing the volcanic alert levels and has advised that a more hazardous explosive eruption may be imminent. Authorities are currently recommending evacuation of an area within a 14km radius of the Taal main crater. Ash cloud has been affecting Metro Manila and local government authorities i...Read More
Reviewed: 21 January 2020, 11:58 NZDT
What is dual citizenship or dual nationality?If you are a citizen of more than one country you are a dual citizen or dual national. This means you are a citizen of both New Zealand and another country at the same time. New Zealand allows dual citizenship and multiple citizenship but some other countries do not. A country could still consider you to be one of their citizens even if you don't accept that nationality if you: have a parent, or in some cases a grandparent, who is a citizen of that c...Read More
Reviewed: 17 January 2020, 15:20 NZDT
The Pacific cyclone season began on 1 November and runs until 30 April. New Zealanders travelling to the Pacific are encouraged to register their details with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade. Travellers who register can be warned if a major cyclone approaches and given advice on precautions to take. We can also make contact with you following a significant cyclone to check on your well-being. If you are in an area affected by a cyclone, you should follow the advice of the local author...Read More
Reviewed: 23 December 2019, 13:39 NZDT
Measles is a highly infectious virus that spreads easily from person to person through the air, via breathing, coughing and sneezing. It affects both children and adults. The New Zealand Ministry of Health is advising people travelling overseas to make sure they are fully immunised against measles before they go. Given the current outbreaks of measles in Samoa, Tonga, Fiji and the Philippines the Ministry of Health is asking primary care providers in New Zealand to ensure vaccinations are up-to-...Read More
Reviewed: 17 December 2019, 15:03 NZDT
There are ongoing strikes and demonstrations in Paris and across France. Transport has been disrupted across the country. We continue to advise New Zealanders in France to avoid all demonstrations, protests and rallies, follow any advice issued by the local authorities and monitor local media for developments. New Zealanders currently in or travelling to France are encouraged to register with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade and read the full advisory for France. New Zealanders in F...Read More
Reviewed: 17 December 2019, 11:49 NZDT
Protest activity is ongoing in Hong Kong and there continues to be a risk of violent confrontation. 'Flash mob' demonstrations take place with little or no warning, and have resulted in violence and vandalism. Expect road closures, transport disruptions and heightened police action, including the use of tear gas. Protest locations on Hong Kong Island continue to include the main commercial districts, including Causeway Bay, Central, Admiralty and Wan Chai Protests may also occur in Kowloon (i...Read More
Reviewed: 17 December 2019, 11:48 NZDT
We have reviewed our advice and now advise New Zealanders to exercise increased caution while in Bolivia. Read our full advice on SafeTravel. The current political situation in Bolivia remains highly unpredictable following the abrupt resignation of the president at the urging of the military, in response to widespread protests in the wake of presidential elections on 20 October 2019. An interim government is in place ahead of new elections. Protests and the use of roadblocks are ongoing, partic...Read More
Reviewed: 17 December 2019, 11:46 NZDT
Major cities in India are currently experiencing severe levels of air pollution. Some of the most common health effects of air pollution include irritation of eyes, throat and lungs. For people with existing respiratory conditions such as asthma or bronchitis, breathing in air pollution can make these conditions worse. New Zealanders in areas affected by the air pollution are advised to monitor pollution readings, such as those provided by the Air Quality Index website. If you have concerns ...Read More
Reviewed: 17 December 2019, 11:44 NZDT
Every year New Zealanders put themselves at risk of arrest or detention for drug-related offences overseas. Remember that when you are overseas you are subject to that country's laws and penalties - no matter how harsh they may appear by New Zealand standards. In many countries, penalties for drug-related offences are severe. Possession, use or trafficking of even very small quantities of drugs can lead to lengthy imprisonment thousands of miles away from family and friends. New Zealand does not...Read More
Reviewed: 23 September 2019, 14:05 NZST
In September 2019, an outbreak of polio was declared in the Philippines. In July 2019, the World Health Organisation (WHO) announced a situational update on circulating vaccine-derived poliovirus type 2 outbreaks in the WHO African and Eastern Mediterranean regions. In June 2018 an outbreak of vaccine-derived poliovirus was declared by the Papua New Guinea Government in Morobe province. In July 2018, preparations for implementation of large scale immunization activities and intensified surveilla...Read More
Reviewed: 17 July 2019, 10:00 NZST
On 17 July 2019, the World Health Organization (WHO) determined that the ongoing Ebola epidemic in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) is a Public Health Emergency of International Concern. The Ugandan government has also confirmed an outbreak of Ebola in Kasese District in western Uganda, originating in the neighbouring DRC. To date, there have been over 2500 confirmed or probable cases of Ebola in the DRC, resulting in over 1600 deaths since the outbreak began in August 2018. The outbreak i...Read More
Posted: 18 March 2019, 14:10 NZDT
The terrorist attacks in Christchurch on 15 March, which were motivated by extreme right-wing ideology, have attracted global attention and strong international condemnation. International reactions to those events are difficult to predict and may change at short notice. New Zealanders travelling overseas should continue to use common sense, exercise caution and be vigilant. They should look out for and report suspicious behaviour, as they would in New Zealand. New Zealanders should continu...Read More
Reviewed: 10 September 2018, 09:05 NZST
Outbreaks of mosquito-borne illnesses are common in the tropical and sub-tropical climates in many Pacific Islands, in North Queensland (Australia), Asia (including India), tropical Africa and Latin/South America. West Nile virus is commonly found in Africa, Europe, the Middle East, North America and West Asia. Dengue fever, chikungunya virus and Zika virus are spread by the bite of an infected Aedes mosquito and cannot be spread directly from person to person. Malaria is caused by a parasite s...Read More
Posted: 29 March 2018, 17:03 NZDT
The Fijian Ministry of Health and Medical Services has issued a public notice advising of an outbreak of meningococcal disease in Fiji. Though the risk for travellers to Fiji is low, people staying in local communities or for longer periods of time should be vigilant and aware of the symptoms of meningitis following an outbreak of meningococcal disease.Meningococcal disease is a bacterial infection that causes two very serious illnesses: meningitis (an infection of the membranes that cover the b...Read More
Iraq
Reviewed: 1 April 2020
Reviewed: 1 April 2020
Poland
Reviewed: 31 March 2020
Reviewed: 31 March 2020
Iran
Reviewed: 25 March 2020
Reviewed: 25 March 2020
China
Reviewed: 25 March 2020
Reviewed: 25 March 2020
Travelling or living overseas? Help us find you in an emergency, so we can check on your well-being or send you important information.
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If you access consular assistance through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, or register on SafeTravel we will collect and use your personal information for the purpose of providing consular services to you. Read More
Health alerts and general travel health tips....read more
This page provides information on how you can help yourself, and how we can help you, when things go wrong overseas...read more
Information on passports and visas for your next trip overseas....read more
Information on travel insurance and why it's important....read more
Please note, only consular emergencies, for example death, arrest, illness or injury to New Zealand citizens will be handled outside office hours.
Location and contact details for New Zealand Embassies around the world.
Barbados
Myanmar
Norway
Ethiopia