Which countries can New Zealand passport holders visit without a visa?

New Zealand passport holders enjoy visa-free access to 146 countries including all Schengen nations (France, Germany, Spain, Italy), the UK, Japan, South Korea, Singapore, Brazil, Argentina, South Africa, and Hong Kong. Additionally, 39 countries offer visa-on-arrival (including UAE, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Indonesia, and Maldives), and 11 countries provide electronic travel authorizations (USA, Canada, UK, Australia, Kenya). Always verify entry requirements before travel as conditions can change.

Do New Zealand citizens need a visa for the USA, UK, or Australia?

New Zealand citizens do not need a traditional visa but require electronic travel authorizations: an ESTA for the USA (valid 2 years, costs USD $21), an ETA for the UK (valid 2 years, costs £10), and an ETA for Australia (valid 1 year, costs AUD $20-25). These must be obtained online before departure. For the USA, New Zealand is part of the Visa Waiver Program allowing stays up to 90 days for tourism or business.

Which countries require New Zealand passport holders to obtain a visa in advance?

Only 16 countries require New Zealand citizens to obtain a visa in advance with no visa-on-arrival option: Afghanistan, Algeria, Central African Republic, Chad, Congo (Rep.), Eritrea, Ghana, Libya, Mali, Nauru, Niger, North Korea, Russia, Sudan, Turkmenistan, and Yemen. Additionally, 23 countries offer e-visas that must be obtained online before travel, including India, Vietnam, China (for standard tourist visits), Pakistan, Nigeria, and Cuba.

Can New Zealand passport holders work in Australia and the UK without restrictions?

Yes, New Zealand citizens have unique working rights in Australia under the Trans-Tasman Travel Arrangement, allowing indefinite residence and work without a visa (though a Special Category Visa is granted on arrival). For the UK, New Zealanders aged 18-35 can apply for a Youth Mobility Scheme visa allowing work for up to 2 years. Standard tourist entry (ETA) does not permit work in the UK. These are reciprocal arrangements not available to most other nationalities.

Is military service mandatory for New Zealand passport holders?

No, New Zealand does not have mandatory military service. The New Zealand Defence Force is entirely voluntary. There is no conscription, and citizens are not required to perform military or alternative civilian service. This has been the case since 1972 when compulsory military training was abolished. Dual citizens with countries that do have mandatory service should check their obligations with those nations.

How do I renew my New Zealand passport and how long does it take?

New Zealand passports can be renewed online through the Department of Internal Affairs website or via paper application. Standard processing takes 3 weeks within New Zealand and 6 weeks overseas. Urgent service (3 working days) costs NZD $370, and callout service (2 working days) costs NZD $570. Adult passports (10 years) cost NZD $206, and child passports (5 years) cost NZD $120. You can renew up to 9 months before expiry. Many countries require 6 months validity remaining, so renew early if planning travel.

Can I enter China visa-free with a New Zealand passport in 2025?

Yes, as of late 2024 and continuing into 2025, New Zealand passport holders can enter China visa-free for tourism, business, transit, or family visits for up to 15 days. This is part of China's expanded visa-free policy. For stays longer than 15 days or for other purposes (work, study), you must apply for an appropriate visa in advance. Transit passengers can also use the 24/72/144-hour visa-free transit policy in certain cities if continuing to a third country.

What should I do if my New Zealand passport is lost or stolen while traveling abroad?

Immediately report the loss to local police and obtain a police report. Contact the nearest New Zealand embassy, high commission, or consulate as soon as possible. They can issue an emergency travel document (usually within 2-3 business days) to get you home, costing approximately NZD $200-300. You'll need to provide proof of identity (driver's license, birth certificate copy) and travel details. Once home, apply for a new passport through the Department of Internal Affairs. Report the loss online at passports.govt.nz to prevent fraudulent use.

Are there any countries New Zealand passport holders cannot visit or should avoid?

New Zealand passport holders cannot easily visit North Korea (visa required, heavily restricted), Turkmenistan (complex visa process), and several conflict zones. The New Zealand government's SafeTravel website advises against all travel to Afghanistan, Yemen, Syria, Libya, Somalia, South Sudan, and parts of Mali and Niger due to terrorism, civil unrest, and security risks. Russia requires a visa and has complex entry procedures. While technically possible to visit some of these countries, practical and safety considerations make travel extremely difficult or dangerous.

New Zealand Passport Ranking – Visa Free Access to 186 Countries

🏠 RBI Available

The New Zealand passport is one of the world's most powerful travel documents, consistently ranking 6th globally in 2025 and providing visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to 186 destinations. New Zealand citizens enjoy exceptional travel freedom and global mobility, with the passport maintaining a strong top-10 position since 2006, peaking at 4th place in 2015. This high ranking reflects New Zealand's positive international relations and offers significant advantages for business travel, tourism, and international opportunities for its holders.

Global Rank

out of 199 countries

Visa Free Access

186

countries worldwide

Mobility Score

out of 100 points

Quick Statistics for New Zealand passport

136

Visa-Free

On Arrival

ETA Required

E-Visa

Visa Required

Source: Skyscanner & Official Government Websites.

Top Visa-Free Destinations for New Zealander Citizens

Popular destinations where New Zealand passport holders can travel without a visa:

Country	Maximum Stay	Code
United Kingdom	Up to 180 days	GB
Japan	Up to 90 days	JP
Thailand	Up to 90 days	TH
Singapore	Up to 90 days	SG
United States	Up to 90 days	US

Visa Requirements by Country

Complete breakdown of visa requirements for New Zealand passport holders

✅ Visa-Free

136 countries

🛬 Visa on Arrival

39 countries

🔐 ETA Required

11 countries

💻 E-Visa

24 countries

❌ Visa Required

16 countries

Historical Ranking Trend

New Zealand's passport ranking progression from 2006 to 2025

Trend: Maintained stable ranking from 2006 to 2025

Citizenship and Residency Programs

🏠 Residency by Investment (RBI)

Obtain residency in New Zealand through qualified investments, with potential pathways to citizenship.

RBI Program Available

Official New Zealand Passport & Travel Resources

Access official government resources for passport services, travel advisories, and visa information:

🔗

New Zealand Passports

🔗

Safe Travel - Official travel advice

🔗

Immigration New Zealand - Travel to NZ

🔗

New Zealand Customs Service

Compare New Zealand Passport with Other Passports

See how New Zealand's passport compares with other OCEANIA in the same ranking tier:

Country	Rank	Visa-Free Destinations	Mobility Score	Global Score
New Zealand (You are here)	#6	186	92/100	33/100
Australia	#7	185	85/100	93/100

*Mobility score calculated based on visa-free access and global travel freedom.

*Global score reflects overall passport strength considering various factors.

Frequently Asked Questions:

The New Zealand passport ranks 6th globally in 2025 with visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to 186 destinations. This makes it one of the world's most powerful passports, offering New Zealanders exceptional travel freedom. The ranking has remained consistently strong, hovering between 4th and 9th place since 2006, with the best ranking of 4th achieved in 2015.

Explore More Passport Rankings

Discover New Zealand's passport power and compare with other countries to find the world's most powerful travel documents.

View All Passport Rankings

Last Updated: November 9, 2025

Source: IATA Travel Centre, Skyscanner & Official Government Websites.

New Zealand Passport Ranking – Visa Free Access to 186 Countries

🏠 RBI Available

Country

Maximum Stay

Code

Up to 180 days

Up to 90 days

Up to 90 days

Up to 90 days

Up to 90 days

Historical Ranking Trend

New Zealand's passport ranking progression from 2006 to 2025

Trend: Maintained stable ranking from 2006 to 2025

Compare New Zealand Passport with Other Passports

See how New Zealand's passport compares with other OCEANIA in the same ranking tier:

Country	Rank	Visa-Free Destinations	Mobility Score	Global Score
New Zealand (You are here)	#6	186	92/100	33/100
Australia	#7	185	85/100	93/100

*Mobility score calculated based on visa-free access and global travel freedom.

*Global score reflects overall passport strength considering various factors.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Quick Statistics for New Zealand passport

Top Visa-Free Destinations for New Zealander Citizens

Visa Requirements by Country

✅ Visa-Free

🛬 Visa on Arrival

🔐 ETA Required

💻 E-Visa

❌ Visa Required

Historical Ranking Trend

New Zealand's passport ranking progression from 2006 to 2025

Citizenship and Residency Programs

🏠 Residency by Investment (RBI)

Official New Zealand Passport & Travel Resources

Compare New Zealand Passport with Other Passports

Frequently Asked Questions:

How powerful is the New Zealand passport in 2025?

Which countries can New Zealand passport holders visit without a visa?

Do New Zealand citizens need a visa for the USA, UK, or Australia?

Which countries require New Zealand passport holders to obtain a visa in advance?

Can New Zealand passport holders work in Australia and the UK without restrictions?

Is military service mandatory for New Zealand passport holders?

How do I renew my New Zealand passport and how long does it take?

Can I enter China visa-free with a New Zealand passport in 2025?

What should I do if my New Zealand passport is lost or stolen while traveling abroad?

Are there any countries New Zealand passport holders cannot visit or should avoid?

Explore More Passport Rankings

Quick Statistics for New Zealand passport

Top Visa-Free Destinations for New Zealander Citizens

Visa Requirements by Country

✅ Visa-Free

🛬 Visa on Arrival

🔐 ETA Required

💻 E-Visa

❌ Visa Required

Historical Ranking Trend

New Zealand's passport ranking progression from 2006 to 2025

Citizenship and Residency Programs

🏠 Residency by Investment (RBI)

Official New Zealand Passport & Travel Resources

Compare New Zealand Passport with Other Passports

Frequently Asked Questions:

How powerful is the New Zealand passport in 2025?

Which countries can New Zealand passport holders visit without a visa?

Do New Zealand citizens need a visa for the USA, UK, or Australia?

Which countries require New Zealand passport holders to obtain a visa in advance?

Can New Zealand passport holders work in Australia and the UK without restrictions?

Is military service mandatory for New Zealand passport holders?

How do I renew my New Zealand passport and how long does it take?

Can I enter China visa-free with a New Zealand passport in 2025?

What should I do if my New Zealand passport is lost or stolen while traveling abroad?

Are there any countries New Zealand passport holders cannot visit or should avoid?

Explore More Passport Rankings