New Zealand visa requirements and medical insurance guide
January 03, 2019
Known for starring as the set of the Lord of the Rings franchise, New Zealand is a fascinating country to travel to with its boundless and beautiful national parks and vigorous Māori culture. New Zealand is also known as the ‘adventure capital of the world’ and boasts epic skiing, hiking and surfing activities. New Zealand’s topography and culture is centered around appreciating Mother Nature and making the most of what she offers. There’s a lot to get excited about when organizing your visit. To fully enjoy your trip, make sure you give yourself peace of mind and organize your travel insurance policy, so you can relax and enjoy your vacation knowing that you have got all your bases covered.
Aside from finding the right cover for you, here are some other important travel tips to be aware of before you set off on your adventure:
Visa Information for New Zealand
Do I Need to Get a Visa to Visit New Zealand?
No
If you are an American Citizen with a valid U.S. passport, visiting New Zealand for up to 90 days, then you don’t need a visa.
Travel Documents You Will Need:
A valid U.S. passport.
All passports must have a minimum of 6 months before expiration. That is 6 months from the date of your travel departure, and your passport should also have at least two blank pages for stamping.
Health and Medical Advice
Before jetting off on your travels, you should check for any health risks, required vaccinations and any epidemic breakouts occurring in New Zealand. It’s also a good idea to find out where the nearest hospital is in case of an emergency.
Do I Need to be Vaccinated When Travelling to New Zealand?
Most travellers get vaccinated against Hepatitis A and B. You should also make sure your routine vaccinations are updated. The standard vaccines are:
• MMR (Measles, Mumps, Rubella)
• Tetanus, Diphtheria and Pertussis
• Influenza
• Polio
• Chickenpox
Book an appointment at your local practitioner or find your local Passport health clinic. You should book your appointment four to six weeks before your trip, giving enough time for the vaccinations to take effect.
Travel Health Updates in New Zealand
There was an outbreak of Mumps in New Zealand in November 2017, you should make sure that you update your MMR vaccine in case the virus is still circulating.
Currently, there are no other reported epidemics occurring in New Zealand.
To keep up to date on any breakouts, visit the CDC website.
Emergency Contact Information in New Zealand
No one ever wants to have to call the emergency services while they’re on vacation, but unfortunately accidents happen and it’s important to be prepared for when they do.
• The number for all emergency services in New Zealand is: 111
New Zealand Local Laws and Customs
• Importing illegal drugs into New Zealand is punishable by lengthy prison sentences, up to 12 years.
• There are strict border and custom controls in place.
Safety and Security
Petty Theft
In general, crime levels are pretty low in New Zealand, but popular tourist destinations and cities are subject to street crimes like thefts from unattended vehicles or pickpocketing where thieves will use a variety of methods to try and divert your attention. Be alert and keep your belongings with you at all times, especially in crowded areas, on public transport and popular tourist areas. It’s always a good idea to keep valuable belongings or extra spending money in a hotel safe, if you have one.
U.S. Embassy in New Zealand
U.S. Embassy Wellington
29 Fitzherbert Terrace
Thorndon
Wellington
New Zealand
Telephone: +64 4 462 6000
Useful Tips for New Zealand
Official Languages: English and Māori
English is the predominant language in New Zealand. Māori, although not as widely spoken, is also an official language.
Currency: New Zealand dollar
Before your trip to New Zealand, make sure to exchange enough New Zealand dollars for your spending requirements and to get the best exchange rates.
New Zealand Plug Sockets: Type I
The standard voltage and frequency is 230 V and 50 Hz. You will need a plug adapter for your appliances as well as a voltage converter as the standard New Zealand voltage is higher than in the U.S (120 V).
© 2018 UnitedHealth Group Incorporated. For informational purposes, UHG does not guarantee the correctness or completeness of the information.