Changes to Make it Easier for Pacific People to Visit NZ

The New Zealand Government has announced upcoming changes making travel easier for citizens from Pacific Islands Forum countries, including extended visitor visa options and new visa-free travel pathways from Australia.

Starting 6 July 2025, eligible travellers who are granted a New Zealand visitor visa will be able to make multiple visits over a 24-month period. During that time, they can stay in New Zealand for up to six months within any 12-month period, with a maximum total stay of nine months in an 18-month period. These new conditions will only apply to new visas granted from 6 July onwards, and will not affect visas issued before that date.

In addition, a 12-month trial beginning in November 2025 will allow passport holders from Pacific Islands Forum nations to travel to New Zealand from Australia without a visitor visa. To qualify, travellers must hold a valid Australian visitor, work, student, or family visa and request an NZeTA (New Zealand Electronic Travel Authority) before arriving. Under the trial, they will be permitted to stay in New Zealand for up to three months.

This initiative applies to citizens of the following Pacific Islands Forum countries:
Federated States of Micronesia, Fiji, Kiribati, Nauru, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Republic of the Marshall Islands, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tonga, Tuvalu, and Vanuatu.

Further details about these changes are expected to be released in the coming months.