With this expansion, visitors from 11 more nations and territories can now use New Zealand’s advanced e Gate border check technology. The goal of this change is to give a wider variety of foreign tourists a quicker and more effective airport experience.
With this update, the overall number of nationalities that are eligible for e Gate has increased to 48, following successful trials carried out in collaboration with Immigration New Zealand. The extension extends to a large number of nations in Europe, the Middle East, Asia, and Oceania that do not require a visa.
Newly Eligible e Gate Countries
In New Zealand, visitors from the 11 nations and regions listed below can now utilize e Gates:
- Andorra
- Iceland
- Liechtenstein
- Monaco
- Norway
- Vatican City
- Macau (Chinese SAR)
- Oman
- Kuwait
- Bahrain
- The United Arab Emirates
The United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Australia, mainland China, and numerous EU member states are among the current qualifying nations that these additions join.
Check Also: Apply for a New Zealand Working Holiday Visa in – Easy Guide
Benefits of New Zealand e Gate Now Accepts 48 Nationalities:
- Faster Border Processing for Eligible Travelers: eGates greatly cut down on wait times at arrival and departure by using biometric verification to speed up passport control.
- Increased Access to 48 Nationalities: e Gates will be more convenient for a wider variety of travelers as of September 2025, when holders of e Passports from all 27 EU member states as well as nations including the US, Canada, China, Japan, and South Korea can use them.
- Enhanced Efficiency for More Than 85% of Passengers: By adding these nations, e Gates are now available to over 85% of all passengers entering and leaving New Zealand, making border control easier for most passengers.
- Age Eligibility Reduction to 10 Years: In order to enable younger travelers to take advantage of automated processing, the minimum age requirement for e Gate usage has been dropped from 12 to 10 years.
- Improved Security Features: eGates use advanced biometric technology to compare passengers’ faces
- Optimized Resource Allocation: Customs officials may concentrate more on evaluating high-risk travelers by automating routine procedures, which enhances border security in general.
- Consistency with International Standards: New Zealand’s e Gate system matches worldwide trends in automated border control and is in line with procedures in nations like Australia and the United Kingdom.
- Major International Airports: e Gates are accessible at major airports for entry and departure throughout the nation, including Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch, and Queenstown.
- Easy Digital Declaration Process: To ensure a more seamless e Gate experience, travelers can fill out the New Zealand Traveller Declaration (NZTD) online or through an app before to arrival.
- Better Traveler Experience: By cutting down on delays and streamlining operations, the automation of border control processes improves the overall travel experience.
- Support for Tourism and Business Travel: New Zealand is a more appealing destination for visitors and business travelers from the recently admitted nations due to simplified entry procedures.
- Promotion of Return Visits: The simplicity of admission would entice tourists to come back to New Zealand, which would increase both tourism and economic activity.
- Promotion of International Relations: New Zealand’s dedication to building solid relationships with a wide range of nations is demonstrated by the expansion of e Gate access.
- Environmental Benefits: More sustainable travel operations are facilitated by efficient processing, which lowers airport traffic and resource consumption.
- Basis for Future Developments: The effective assimilation of new nationalities paves the way for future developments in automated border control systems.
What Is eGate and How Does It Work?
Major airports in New Zealand use the automated, self-service eGate passport control system. It enables faster and more smooth border clearance by using biometric face recognition to confirm your identification against the photo in your e Passport.
How It Works:
- At the e Gate kiosk, scan your e Passport.
- While the system takes a picture of your face, remain motionless.
- The passport’s chip photo and your live image are compared by the system.
- The gate opens after a successful match; processing just takes a few seconds.
Where Are e Gates Located?
The following airports offer e Gates for both arrivals and departures:
- Auckland
- Wellington
- Christchurch
- Queenstown
Who Can Use e Gate?
In order to utilize eGate, you need to:
- be at least ten years old.
- own a current e Passport from one of the 48 nations that qualify.
- Before you arrive, fill out the New Zealand Traveller Declaration (NZTD).
Advice: Make sure your appearance closely resembles the picture on your passport. Take off your headgear and big glasses unless they are part of your passport photo.
What Is the New Zealand Traveller Declaration (NZTD)?
The NZTD, which includes customs and health questions, must be filled out by all arriving visitors. Your declaration is checked online, so there’s no need to print it out.
Complete the NZTD online at: www.travellerdeclaration.govt.nz
Why This Matters
About 70% of all travelers are already processed through e Gates, and this percentage is predicted to increase as a result of the expansion, according to the New Zealand Customs Service.
- Self-service border processing will help more visitors as we expand the countries to whom New Zealand’s e Gates are open. Paul Williams, Acting Group Manager, Border Operations, stated that this shortens the time spent screening and improves border security.
Additionally, the expansion increases overall safety by enabling border guards to concentrate more on high-risk travelers and security risks.
Full List of 48 eGate-Eligible Countries
The full alphabetical list is as follows:
Australia, Bahrain, Belgium, Bulgaria, Canada, China (not including Hong Kong), Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Japan, Kuwait, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Macau, Malta, Monaco, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Oman, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, United States, and Vatican City.
Frequently Asked Questions:
What is New Zealand’s eGate system?
eGate is an automated border control system that allows eligible travelers to enter or exit New Zealand airports more quickly using facial recognition and ePassport technology.
What are the age requirements for eGate use?
Travelers must generally be aged 12 or older to use eGates. Some nationalities may also have additional age restrictions based on bilateral agreements.
Where can I find the full list of the 48 approved nationalities?
You can visit the official Immigration New Zealand website or contact the New Zealand border services for the most current list.
