Leaving New Zealand

Plan before you travel

Before travelling overseas we recommend you check the requirements of the country you are travelling to. Check:

• the official website of the country you wish to enter or transit, or
• that country’s diplomatic representative in New Zealand.

Many countries require travellers to self-isolate for 14 days on arrival, or have a negative COVID-19 test result before they can travel.

Travel advice for New Zealanders

Travel advice for foreign nationals

If you are a foreign national travelling in New Zealand, we recommend you consider returning home as soon as you are able to.

Advice for foreign nationals in New Zealand

Quarantine-free travel

New Zealand has quarantine-free travel arrangements with some countries and territories. Make sure you check what you need to do before you travel, and what you might have to do if the COVID-19 situation changes.

Australia

You can travel from New Zealand to Australia without needing to enter managed isolation. You must meet immigration requirements and eligibility criteria.

Quarantine-free travel from New Zealand to Australia

Cook Islands

From 17 May, you can travel from New Zealand to the Cook Islands without needing to enter managed isolation. You must meet immigration requirements and eligibility criteria.

Quarantine-free travel from New Zealand to the Cook Islands

Pre-departure COVID-19 test if you're leaving New Zealand

Some countries require travellers to confirm a negative COVID-19 test before they leave New Zealand. You can check the requirements of the country you are travelling to, by contacting their local high commission, embassy or consulate in New Zealand.

Steps to get a pre-departure test

1. As soon as your travel plans are confirmed, contact Healthline or your GP.
2. Find out when you can go in for a COVID-19 test. The test needs to be taken as close as possible to your date of travel — check the timing that applies to your country.
3. You may need to pay for the test yourself, at the time.
4. Your test will be sent to a local laboratory, which will provide a result to your GP or you directly. 
5. A health provider will let you know the result of the test. It can take several days for test results to be available, so make sure you do not leave it too late.
6. Assuming the test is negative, you will be given a hard-copy document with the results to take to the airport. In the unlikely event the test is positive, your health provider will talk with you about what happens next.
7. Take your negative test results with you to airport check-in. You may need to show your results to customs or immigration on arrival at your destination.

Further travel advice from the Ministry of Health (external link)

Transiting through New Zealand

The New Zealand Government has transit arrangements with a number of countries to make it easier for each country’s citizens to get home. 

Transit agreements that say who may transit through New Zealand are published by Immigration New Zealand. 

You should also check if you need to apply for a transit exemption from Managed Isolation and Quarantine.

Transit arrangements from Immigration New Zealand(external link) (external link)

Exemptions to transit through New Zealand, and how to apply(external link) (external link)