Updated December 16th 2020.
Ask a COVID-19 Question
Vaccinations:
The United States Government does not plan to provide COVID-19 vaccinations to private U.S. citizens overseas. Please follow host country developments and guidelines for COVID-19 vaccination.
Country-Specific Information:
- As of December 16th 2020, New Zealand has had 2,100 confirmed & probable cases of COVID-19 within its borders (interactive map of New Zealand cases / the latest number of cases can be found here). Currently, there are 43 active cases in New Zealand.
New Zealand COVID-19 Alert Levels:
These alert levels specify the public health and social measures to be taken. For more information about New Zealand Alert Levels, click here.
As of October 8th, New Zealand is currently at Alert Level 1. Click here to find out what this means.
Entry and Exit Requirements:
- Are U.S. citizens permitted to enter? No
- Is a negative COVID-19 test (PCR and/or serology) required for entry? No
- Are health screening procedures in place at airports and other ports of entry? Yes
- Information regarding visa extensions for residents and/or tourists
Movement Restrictions:
- Is a curfew in place? No
- Are there restrictions on intercity or interstate travel? Yes
Quarantine Information:
- Are U.S. citizens required to quarantine? Yes
- Only New Zealand citizens and permanent residents are permitted to enter New Zealand. If a U.S. citizen is able to enter through such a status, they will be required to quarantine in a government-operated facility for 14 days
- Detailed information is available at https://covid19.govt.nz/travel-and-the-border/travel-to-new-zealand/plan-your-travel-to-nz/
- NZers overseas wanting to return home should pre-book their isolation voucher before they buy their flights at allocation.miq.govt.nz
COVID-19 Testing:
- COVID-19 tests are available at special testing centers around the country and through your local GP
Transportation Options:
- Are commercial flights operating? Yes
- Is public transportation operating? Yes
- Masks are required on all public transport at this time
Consular Operations:
U.S. citizens may schedule appointments for the following services:
- passport applications,
- consular reports of birth abroad,
- federal benefit services,
- notarial services, and
- renunciations
U.S. Consulate General Auckland is scheduling immigrant and nonimmigrant visa appointments, including employment, student, petition-based, and tourist nonimmigrant visas, K fiancé visas, as well as IR-1/2, CR-1/2, IR 3/4, SB-1, and EB-5 immigrant visas. For more information on nonimmigrant MRV fees and scheduling a visa appointment, visit our visa information website. If you have an urgent matter and need to travel immediately, follow the guidance provided at our expedited appointment website to request an emergency appointment.
Please note that issuance of certain types of immigrant or nonimmigrant visas may currently be suspended due to Presidential Proclamations. You can read more about current Presidential Proclamations and possible exemptions or exceptions here.
IMPORTANT UPDATES:
Health Alert and Voting Update: U.S. Consulate General Auckland (October 8, 2020)
Update: All of New Zealand at Alert Level 1
Auckland joined the rest of New Zealand at Alert Level 1 as of 11:59 pm on Wednesday, 7 October 2020. At Alert Level 1, New Zealand borders remain closed for all travelers except New Zealand citizens, many New Zealand residents, and limited other exceptions. Everyone living in New Zealand is encouraged to stay home if you’re sick, maintain good hygiene, keep track of where you’ve been and who you’ve seen, and keep your distance from others. For more information on the actions that you should take at New Zealand Alert Level 1, visit the New Zealand Government COVID-19 website.
Update: Managed Isolation Allocation System
As mentioned above, New Zealand borders remain closed to most travelers. Anyone who is permitted to travel to New Zealand must now register on the Managed Isolation Allocation System to secure your place in a managed isolation facility. Once the individual traveler has completed their registration on the system, he or she will be issued a voucher that confirms their allocation. Travelers must present this voucher at the airport in order to board their flight. For more information visit the New Zealand Managed Isolation and Quarantine website.
Actions to Take:
- Visit the Department of State Covid-19 crisis page for the latest information
- Visit the New Zealand Covid-19 website for the most up to date information in New Zealand
- Consult the CDC website for accurate, up to date information
- For the most recent information on what you can do to reduce your risk of contracting or transmitting Covid-19, please read the CDC’s latest recommendations.
- Consult your airline, cruise line, or other travel operator regarding any updated information about your travel plans and/or restrictions.
- Visit the United States Embassy in New Zealand website for updated information.
- Visit the Department of Homeland Security website for the latest travel restrictions to the United States
Assistance:
- U.S. Consulate General Auckland, Level 3, Citigroup Building, 23 Customs Street East, Auckland 1010.
- Contact information: +64 09 303 2724, AucklandACS@state.gov.
- State Department Consular Affairs: +1 888-407-4747 or +1 202-501-4444.
- Enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to receive alerts.
New Zealand Alert Levels:
Travel.gov Advisory downgraded to Level 2 – Exercise Increased Caution
Travel Advisory: Level 2 – The Department of State advises U.S. citizens to exercise increased caution when traveling due to the global impact of COVID-19. More information on this travel advisory is available on travel.state.gov.
Travel to the United States
- For information on restrictions to travel to the United States during COVID-19 visit: https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/traveladvisories/ea/covid-19-information.html
- For information on quarantine and self-isolation procedures by state visit: https://www.visittheusa.com/us-covid-19-travel-guidelines
- For information on Presidential Proclamations restricting travel to the United States based on travel to certain countries in the last 14 days or restrictions to certain visa categories, visit: https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/News/visas-news/presidential-proclamation-coronavirus.html
Travel to New Zealand:
- Only New Zealand citizens or residents with valid travel conditions can travel to New Zealand at this time.
- All New Zealand citizens and residents returning to New Zealand must complete at least 14 days of managed isolation or quarantine and test negative for COVID-19 before entering the community.
- There are very limited exceptions to these rules. For more information, visit: https://covid19.govt.nz/travel-and-the-border/travel-to-new-zealand/plan-your-travel-to-nz/
Local Resources:
- The NZ government four-level Covid-19 alert system.
- SafeTravel information about COVID-19.
- New Zealand Immigration’s official government website.
- New Zealand Customs information.
- New Zealand Ministry of Health – latest news and guidance.
- New Zealand Government COVID-19 Page.
- Unite against COVID-19. Everything you need to know about COVID-19 (NZ Government resource)
- NZ Civil Defence.
Other links:
- COVID-19 crisis page on travel.state.gov.
- CDC page on COVID-19.
- Travel.state.gov Country Information and Travel Advisory page.
- covid19.state.gov
Frequently Asked Questions:
On Entering the United States:
For any questions related to your ability to enter the United States, we refer you to the Department of Homeland Security at dhs.gov.
On Questions about Airlines/Hotels Cancelations:
If you have questions about flight or hotel availability, suspension of commercial flight services, cancelations or refund policies, please contact the airline or hotel directly.
Am I allowed to break my self-quarantine to go to the airport, if I want to depart New Zealand?
You may leave New Zealand to return to the United States if desired, even if in the middle of a 14-day self-isolation, if you are not showing symptoms and are not suspected of having a positive COVID-19 test result. If you have been tested and are awaiting results, please wait until you receive a negative result before ending your self-isolation. When departing, go straight to the airport and continue to minimize contact with others to the greatest extent possible.
Questions on International air travel?
Visitors and tourists can still use international air services to travel home. Do not go to the airport unless you have a ticket. If you do not have ticket contact a travel agent or airline directly.
If you are feeling unwell, particularly with a cough, shortness of breath or fever, or if you’re sneezing or have a runny nose, don’t travel.
If you are on a flight, it is particularly important that you cough or sneeze into the crook of your elbow. Where possible carry hand sanitizer and tissues. If it’s possible, sit in a window seat in a row by yourself.
Domestic air travel?
Airlines are operating reduced flights domestically. Visit local airlines’ websites for flight times and availability.
Further FAQS from the New Zealand Government can be found at: https://covid19.govt.nz/government-actions/covid-19-alert-system/.
Actions to Take
- Visit the Department of State Covid-19 crisis page for the latest information
- Visit the New Zealand Covid-19 website for the most up to date information in New Zealand
- Consult the CDC website for accurate, up to date information
- For the most recent information on what you can do to reduce your risk of contracting or transmitting Covid-19, please read the CDC’s latest recommendations.
- Consult your airline, cruise line, or other travel operator regarding any updated information about your travel plans and/or restrictions.
- Visit the United States Embassy in New Zealand website for updated information.
- Visit the Department of Homeland Security website for the latest travel restrictions to the United States
- Visit the U.S. Department of State COVID-19 Answers Portal.
Assistance
- U.S. Consulate General Auckland, Level 3, Citigroup Building, 23 Customs Street East, Auckland 1010.
- Contact information: +64 09 303 2724, AucklandACS@state.gov.
- State Department Consular Affairs: +1 888-407-4747 or +1 202-501-4444.
- Enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to receive alerts.
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