Do Kenyan passport holders need a visa for New Zealand?
Yes, citizens from Kenya must secure a Visitor Visa before their trip to New Zealand. The visa allows travelers to stay for up to 6 months (multiple entry) or 9 months (single entry), depending on the type granted.
With a Visitor Visa, travelers cannot work, but they are allowed to study for up to 3 months. This visa must be obtained before departure, as visa-on-arrival is not an option for Kenyan passport holders.
Is the New Zealand Traveller Declaration required for Kenyans?
Yes, all incoming visitors, including Kenyan citizens, must submit the New Zealand Traveller Declaration (NZTD) before arriving.
• The earliest submission time is 24 hours before departure.
• The form must be completed before reaching passport control in New Zealand.
• The NZTD collects essential customs, biosecurity, and immigration information.
• It can be filled out online or through the NZTD mobile app at no cost.
• Every traveler, including children, must submit a separate declaration.
Entry requirements for citizens from Kenya visiting New Zealand
Travelers from Kenya must fulfill the following conditions before entry:
• Valid passport – The passport must remain valid for at least 3 months beyond the departure date.
• Financial evidence – Proof of funds is required:
- NZD $1,000 per person per month, or
- NZD $400 per person per month if prepaid accommodation is provided.
• Confirmed departure plans – Travelers must present an onward or return ticket or proof of funds to purchase one.
• Compliance with immigration rules – Applicants must not pose any health or security risks.
Steps to obtaining a New Zealand Visitor Visa for Kenyans
Applying for a New Zealand Visitor Visa involves the following steps:
1. Access the official website – Visit the New Zealand Immigration portal.
2. Complete the application form – Provide personal information and details about the trip.
3. Gather supporting documents – Ensure you have proof of financial means, accommodation, and travel plans.
4. Pay the visa fee – Payments are made via credit or debit card.
5. Submit the application – Applications are processed online, and applicants receive email updates.
6. Receive the visa – Once approved, travelers receive a digital visa, which must be shown upon arrival.
Required documents for a New Zealand Visitor Visa for Kenyan travelers
Applicants from Kenya must provide the following documents:
1. Financial and travel proof:
- A confirmed return or onward ticket or financial proof to buy one.
- Bank statements or a sponsorship letter showing financial capability.
- An employment confirmation letter (if employed).
2. Tourism-related documents:
- Hotel reservations or an accommodation confirmation.
- Health insurance policy (recommended minimum coverage: €50,000).
3. Identity documents:
- A valid passport (must be valid for at least 3 months after leaving New Zealand).
- A passport-sized photograph (two if applying via paper form).
4. Health and security declarations:
- Disclosure of any criminal history or pending charges.
- A medical certificate or chest x-ray (required for stays exceeding 6 months).
5. Special conditions for minors:
- If a child is traveling alone or with one parent, a notarized parental consent letter is needed.
How much does a New Zealand Visitor Visa cost for Kenyans?
The Visitor Visa fee starts from NZD $341, with variations depending on the application method. Payment is made using credit or debit cards.
Additionally, applicants must pay the International Visitor Conservation and Tourism Levy (IVL), which costs NZD $100.
How long does it take to process a New Zealand Visitor Visa?
Processing times for a Visitor Visa typically take around 3.5 weeks.
Do nationals from Kenya need health insurance for New Zealand?
While not compulsory, health insurance is highly recommended for visitors from Kenya. New Zealand's healthcare services can be expensive for non-residents, and without insurance, travelers must cover all medical costs themselves.
For those planning to engage in adventure tourism, including bungee jumping, skydiving, or white-water rafting, insurance that covers extreme sports and emergency medical evacuations is advised.
An individual who intends to travel to and stay in New Zealand as a transit passenger must apply for a transit visa before proceeding to New Zealand, unless this requirement is waived.
Transit is only available at Auckland Airport and transit passengers must remain in the transit area for the duration of their time in New Zealand and no longer than 24 hours. Transit passengers who do not pass through Auckland Airport, or who must leave Auckland Airport's transit area, or who will remain in Auckland Airport's transit area for more than 24 hours, are not eligible to enter New Zealand as a transit passenger and must obtain a Visitor Visa if they are not travelers from visa-free countries.
Transit travelers without visas
From June 20, 2020, the transit visa cancellation applies to, but is not limited to, the following persons:
- A citizen of New Zealand or a holder of a residence class visa;
- An owner of a temporary entry visa;
- A person subject to visa cancellation, but only if he has an electronic transit permit;
- A traveler traveling to or from Australia:
1.A person whose immediate or final destination after transiting through New Zealand is Australia, but only if they hold a valid visa issued by the Australian Government to enter Australia and have a Transit Electronic Permit
2.A person traveling from Australia and having a transit electronic permit;
3.A person whom a representative of the Immigration Service, by special instruction, classified as a person subject to the withdrawal of a transit visa;
4.Citizens of the following countries, but only if they have a transit electronic permit:
Bahamas, Bermuda, Bolivia, Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Federated States of Micronesia, Indonesia, Kiribati, Nauru, Palau, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Republic of the Marshall Islands, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Thailand Tonga, Tuvalu, Vanuatu, Venezuela.
Instructions for importing cats and dogs from approved countries:
- Download and read the health standards (IHS) and the IHS guidance document. In the latter, you can find a sample of the veterinary certificate that you need to provide for your cat or dog. It displays all tests, treatment courses and examinations. A separate form can be downloaded at https://www.mpi.govt.nz/bring-send-to-nz/pets-travelling-to-nz/
- Check whether your pet meets all requirements for import into New Zealand. For ease of checking, special checklists have been developed on the MPI website, which you can use to check compliance with all requirements. Your pet must be provided with a special microchip and vaccinated against rabies (only after microchip insertion). He must also pass a blood test no later than 3 months and no earlier than 24 months before the date of importation and undergo treatment for certain parasites 24 to 48 hours before departure;
- Book quarantine at a transit point approved by MPI. A list of such items can be found at https://www.mpi.govt.nz/bring-send-to-nz/pets-travelling-to-nz/. The quarantine period is not less than 10 days. You will need the booking confirmation letter later when submitting your application.
- Apply for an import permit. It takes 20 days to issue such a permit, so you need to apply in advance. Permits are of two types, depending on the country from which the animal is imported. Category 2 – rabies-free countries, category 3 – countries where rabies is absent or under control. For each of these categories, there is a separate application form that can be downloaded from the MPI website.
- Declare medications for the pet if he needs to take any medications while on the road.
- Notify the MPI no later than 72 hours before the arrival of the animal in the New Zealand with the following data:
- Flight number;
- Date and time of arrival
- Name of the carrier and contract number
- Species and breed of pet
- The number of animals in the invoice
- Confirmation of reservation of the quarantine point
- Number of the consignment note (if known)
Restrictions on the import of animals
In addition to cats and dogs, only rabbits and guinea pigs from Australia and chinchillas from Great Britain are allowed into New Zealand.
New Zealand has a unique population of rare and endangered bird species. Therefore, in order to avoid the introduction of bird diseases into the country, the importation of birds into the territory of New Zealand is prohibited until all risks are studied and health standards are developed.