Vaccination requirements for travel to New Zealand

The following people need to provide proof of vaccination to enter New Zealand:

• non-New Zealand citizens, including those transiting through New Zealand
• foreign air crew arriving in New Zealand.

You do not need to have proof of COVID-19 vaccination if you:

• are a New Zealand citizen

• are a New Zealand residence-class visa holder*

• are an Australian citizen who lives in New Zealand

• are aged 16 years or under
• cannot be vaccinated for medical reasons — you will need evidence from a medical practitioner. 

*Note: New Zealand residence-class visa holders must carry physical proof of their New Zealand residence status to show at check-in and arrival in New Zealand. This includes a passport stamp or eVisa letter. This may require additional processing time at the border. Vaccinated residents may, as an alternative, choose to upload proof of vaccination instead of proving their residence status.

In addition, refugees arriving to New Zealand for the first time; Citizens of Afghanistan arriving in New Zealand before 12 December 2022; and Citizens of Ukraine under the 2022 Special Ukraine Visa Policy, or who were ordinarily resident in Ukraine at any point on or after 1 January 2022 (provided they meet Immigration New Zealand’s requirements), do not require proof of COVID-19 vaccination.

Travellers entering New Zealand from Antarctica do not require proof of COVID-19 vaccination.

You do not need to apply for an exemption. However, you still need to meet all other applicable entry requirements to enter New Zealand (if required). 

While the New Zealand Government may not require you to be vaccinated, some airlines have different vaccination requirements. Check with your airline.

Some travellers may be able to get an exemption if they are travelling to New Zealand from a country with no, or limited access to, COVID-19 vaccines.

You will need to apply to the Ministry of Health for an exemption, along with evidence of why you need one. The Director-General of Health will decide if you can be given an exemption.

Check if you might qualify for an exemption, and apply at the Ministry of Health:

Apply for an exemption | Ministry of Health NZ

Some airlines have different vaccination requirements. Check with your airline.

You need a digital vaccine certificate or another form of electronic or paper document from a government health authority or approval authority confirming you have had a full COVID-19 vaccine course.

Your evidence must confirm that you have received a complete course, and:

• your name
• the name of the vaccine or vaccines you received
• the name of the agency that administered them
• the name of the place where you received them
• the date of each dose or the date when a primary vaccination course was completed.

When you upload your vaccination certificate, you will be asked to manually enter details. Make sure what you enter matches the information on your document – like your name, type of vaccine and date of your dose/s.

You should not provide false or misleading information. It may result in your declaration being declined, and a penalty or other enforcement action.

If you cannot be vaccinated for medical reasons

You must have an electronic or paper medical certificate from a medical practitioner that says you cannot be vaccinated for medical reasons.

If you have an exemption

You must have an electronic or paper copy of the exemption letter from the Director-General of Health. You need to show proof of this exemption at check-in and to Customs staff when you arrive in New Zealand. If your document is deemed to be unacceptable you may be subject to an infringement or other enforcement action.

If you have an exemption or cannot be vaccinated for medical reasons, you need to confirm this when you complete your New Zealand Traveller Declaration.

You will need to show proof of this exemption to Customs staff when you arrive in New Zealand. If your document is deemed to be unacceptable you may be subject to an infringement.

Examples of accepted documents