New Zealand's eGates Now Serve Travelers From 48 Countries
New Zealand's eGates system has expanded its reach, now serving travelers from 48 countries and territories. The automated border control system, available at key international airports, requires users to be at least 10 years old, possess a valid ePassport, and complete the New Zealand Traveller Declaration (NZTD) before arrival. Approximately 70% of passengers currently use eGates for a smoother entry process.
eGates are situated at airports in Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch, and Queenstown. To use them, travelers must first obtain a New Zealand Electronic Travel Authority (NZeTA) if they are from a visa-exempt country. Recently, New Zealand has welcomed passport holders from 11 new nations and territories to use eGates. These include Andorra, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Monaco, Norway, Vatican City, Macau, Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, and United Arab Emirates.
In addition to these new additions, New Zealand has also extended eGates privileges to passport holders from Central Eastern Europe and Asia, such as Belarus and Kazakhstan, in recent months.
The expansion of eGates to more countries and territories simplifies the border control process for a larger number of travelers entering New Zealand. With approximately 70% of passengers already utilizing the system, the government aims to further streamline the entry process, enhancing the overall travel news.
