International Border Reopening Plan
On 3 February 2022, New Zealand revealed a 5-step plan for the reopening of their international border. This is long awaited news for New Zealand residents stuck in Australia, family and friends overseas and skilled workers and migrants. There were additional announcements made on 16 February 2022 to amend the International Border Reopening Plan which have been included in the below infographic.
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Phase 1
From 27 February, 11:59pm – Fully vaccinated NZ Citizens and travellers from Australia can enter NZ – must self-isolate upon arrival
01
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Phase 2A
From 4 March, 11:59pm
- Border opened to New Zealanders and other eligible travellers
- No self-isolation requirements if you are eligible to enter and you meet health requirements
02
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Phase 2
From 13 March, 11:59pm
- Can apply for a Working Holding Visa to travel to New Zealand
03
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Phase 3
From 12 April, 11:59pm
- Temporary visa holders outside NZ who have a valid visa can enter NZ
- 5000 international students can enter NZ
- Australian citizens and permanent residents arriving from anywhere in the world
04
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Phase 3B
From 1 May, 11:59pm
- Border opens to visa-waiver travellers
- Border opens to existing holders of valid visitor visas
05
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Phase 4
From July 2022
- NZ borders will open to Australian Citizens, Australian Permanent Residents and other Foreign Nationals travelling from Australia
- Visitors from visa-waiver countries
- Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV) Holders
06
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Phase 5
From October 2022
- Border opens for all other NZ visa holders including visitor and student visas
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Further Announcements regarding Phase 3 and Phase 3B of the New Zealand International Border Reopening Plan
On 8 April 2022, New Zealand Immigration provided further information as to the Phase 3 and Phase 3B of the New Zealand International Border Reopening Plan.
From 12 April 2022, Phase 3 of the New Zealand International Border Reopening Plan, the following groups can enter New Zealand without a border exception:
- Work Visa Holders
- Work visa holders outside New Zealand
- Work visa holders in New Zealand may also leave and return
- Dependents of Workers
- Dependents of Work Visa Holders with valid student visas who are both in New Zealand may leave and return.
- Australians
- Australian Citizens and Permanent Residents can enter New Zealand from anywhere in the world.
- Student Visa Holders
- Student visa holders currently outside of New Zealand
- Student visa holders in New Zealand may leave and return
- Border exception for 5000 new and returning international students
From 1 May 2022, the following visa groups can travel to New Zealand without a border exception:
- Dependent of Workers
- Dependents of work visa holders who hold a valid visitor visa
- Visitor Visa Holders
- Visitor visa holders with valid travel conditions can enter New Zealand from any country
- This includes people in New Zealand who wish to leave and return
- Visa Waiver Travelers
- All travellers who can usually travel to New Zealand without a visa (visa wavier) can enter New Zealand if they have a valid New Zealand electronic Travel Authority
Further Information
The Government’s five-step plan to reopen New Zealand’s borders this year will allow more families to reunite, sectors and employers to access more skilled workers from offshore, business travel and international events to resume, and more international students to return to New Zealand.
Vaccination, COVID-19 testing and isolation requirements will continue.
Managed Isolation & Quarantine (MIQ) requirements will remain for the unvaccinated. MIQ requirements for other travellers will be lifted in the following steps.
Related:
- Australia and New Zealand Safe Travel Zone
- New Zealand Residence visa processing update
- New Zealand and Australia are world’s most powerful passports
- NZ Immigration changes to address primary sector skills shortage and visitor visas
- Changes to conditions for entry into New Zealand for some offshore visa holders and partners of NZ citizens and residents
- New Zealand automatic visitor visa extensions and COVID-19 short-term visitor visa
- Changes to Essential Skills work visa system and Immigration New Zealand updates
- COVID-19 and Immigration New Zealand update
- Coronavirus and New Zealand visas update
- Australia or New Zealand, Costs and Permanent Residency options after study
- Australia vs New Zealand Immigration
- Upcoming New Zealand Immigration Changes 2021
- Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV)
Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV) Updates Dec 2025
Business Investor Visa (BIV) New Zealand
Changes to Skilled Migrant Category Resident Visa
Further Details About April 2025’s Active Investor Plus Visa Changes
New Zealand to open up Active Investor Plus Visa from April 2025
New Zealand relaxes digital nomad visa rules in 2025