Can I enter New Zealand on a one-way ticket?
9 February 2023
Knowledge base articles
- Travelling to New Zealand on business
- My resident visa application is still in process but my temporary visa will expire soon.
- I hold two passports. Which one should I travel on?
- If I get a resident visa, how long do I have to move to New Zealand?
- Can I travel to New Zealand as a visitor, and apply for residence from there?
- My country is not on the list of working holiday schemes
- What information can the Immigration Contact Centre (ICC) release to an LIA or a lawyer?
- How long will my student visa be valid for, if granted?
- Options for Religious Workers
- Can a visa application be prioritised?
- Will I lose my New Zealand residence status if I travel abroad?
- Skilled Migrant Category - removal of section 49(1) conditions
- Can I enter New Zealand on a one-way ticket?
- What is the visa status of a child born in New Zealand?
- How do I apply online for a Working Holiday?
- Are there any special rules for Australian citizens and residents?
- Do we have to be married to qualify under the partnership instructions?
- Can I look after a child in New Zealand who has a student visa?
- How can I report someone to the immigration authorities?
- Who can apply for a visa using Immigration Online?
- I'm coming to New Zealand to participate in a sports event. What visa do I need?
- How long will my Skilled Migrant Category Expression of Interest remain in the pool after it is submitted?
- How do I obtain a New Zealand passport or citizenship?
- I am visiting New Zealand but would like to do some fruit picking - is this allowed?
- Information for visitors travelling without a visa
- I filled out my working holiday visa application a while ago, but now the form has disappeared. What should I do?
- Can I add my newborn child to my existing visa application?
- I am a Tour Guide coming to New Zealand with a Tour Group
- How do I start an online Expression of Interest and submit it?
- I can't save details into my Expression of Interest
- What Fiji travel documents will Immigration New Zealand Suva Branch Accept?
- What can be used as evidence of residence status?
- Do I need to submit any documents with my Expression of Interest?
- Will I be eligible for a further student visa if I was absent from class due to illness?
- Can I use an old application form?
- What type of work is seasonal work?
- Can I apply for a Working Holiday visa while in New Zealand?
- What is an 'open work visa', and how do I get one?
- What can be used as evidence of work experience?
- Information on DNA testing
- How do I get a New Zealand passport?
- Providing full birth certificates with applications
- Can I come to New Zealand to volunteer or volunteer once I am in New Zealand?
- kb-question-1098
Visitors entering New Zealand without a visa (as visa waiver visitors) must have valid onward travel arrangements when entering New Zealand (for instance a return ticket or official confirmation that a ticket is booked and paid for).
The return ticket must be from New Zealand to a country they can enter.
Having funds to purchase a ticket is not sufficient evidence of onward travel arrangements for visa waiver visitors.
If you are applying for a visa prior to your travel and your visa is granted, you may enter New Zealand on a one way ticket provided that the visa clearly states "Return/onward ticket not required".
Citizens and permanent residents of Australia may enter on a one-way ticket, provided they are travelling on a valid Australian passport or have a valid Australian Resident Return visa endorsed in their foreign passport. We advise Australian permanent residents carry a printed copy of their visa endorsement (VEVO) when travelling to New Zealand.
New Zealand citizens and residents are able to travel to New Zealand on one-way tickets. Many work and student visas also include the condition "Return and/or onward ticket not required".
Since 1 October 2019, if you are travelling to New Zealand as a visa waiver visitor you will need to hold an NZeTA before travelling.