New Zealand Border Update: Now Open to Filipino Travelers

New Zealand Opens its borders

New Zealand is well-known for its untamed and breathtaking landscapes, which have appeared in epic fantasy movies like The Hobbit, The Lord of the Rings trilogy, and The Chronicles of Narnia. The national rugby team and the indigenous Maori culture of New Zealand are both well-known. Is traveling to Hobbiton and the green meadows of the Shire on your bucket list? Foreign visitors, especially Filipino tourists, are being welcomed back to New Zealand after more than two years of severe lockdowns caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. Get to know more about New Zealand reopening its borders to Filipino foreign travelers.

Since the COVID-19 pandemic began in March 2020, New Zealand has just partially reopened to overseas travelers. This happened on July 31 according to travel news in Philippines. To stop the sickness from spreading, the nation, along with several others, including the Philippines, imposed travel restrictions.

As of the New Zealand border update, the New Zealand government is the first only to let immunized citizens to return, but it started to loosen travel restrictions at the beginning of this year. Tourists from nations where visas are not required were the next group to be admitted. Travelers from the Philippines must comply with COVID-19 immunization regulations before visiting New Zealand.

Travelers can enjoy long, sunny days, visit beaches, and engage in outdoor activities like hiking and mountain biking during the summer and early autumn months of December to March, which are considered to be the finest times to visit New Zealand. From September through November, the spring season offers a variety of weather, with sunny days that can quickly turn into lower temperatures and spring showers.

Who can enter New Zealand?

Currently, anyone can travel to New Zealand from anywhere in the globe and self-test there:

  • vaccinated and unvaccinated New Zealand citizens
  • vaccinated and unvaccinated New Zealand residents
  • vaccinated Australian citizens and permanent residents
  • unvaccinated Australian citizens who live in New Zealand
  • current temporary work and student visa holders with a valid visa who can still meet their visa requirements — this includes both visa holders currently offshore, and those in New Zealand who choose to travel overseas and wish to return
  • vaccinated travellers with a border exception
  • vaccinated travellers on a working holiday scheme
  • vaccinated travellers from countries who do not need a visa (visa waiver visitors)
  • vaccinated travellers arriving under the Accredited Employer Work Visa category
  • vaccinated travellers applying for a work visa in New Zealand
  • vaccinated travellers on tourist, visitor and student visas.

Unless you are exempted or do not require vaccination proof, you are not permitted to enter New Zealand if you are not immunized.

Things you need to know about New Zealand’s vaccination Requirements:

According to new zealand border update, to enter New Zealand, the majority of visitors must have had a complete course of an authorized COVID-19 vaccine. There is no need for booster dosages. They are the following:

  • passengers arriving by air
  • crew and passengers on super yachts or recreational boats arriving by sea
  • crew and passengers on cruise ships.

Who does not need proof of vaccination?

You do not need to have proof of vaccination if you:

  • are a New Zealand citizen
  • have a New Zealand residence class visa — either a permanent resident or resident visa
  • are an Australian citizen living in New Zealand
  • are a child aged 16 years and under
  • cannot be vaccinated for medical reasons — you will need electronic or paper evidence from a health professional such as a doctor
  • are a refugee arriving in New Zealand for the first time
  • are a citizen of Afghanistan and you are being evacuated
  • have been granted a visa under the 2022 Special Ukraine Visa Policy; or if you are or were ordinarily resident in Ukraine at any point on or after 1 January 2022
  • are arriving from Antarctica
  • are transiting through New Zealand
  • are arriving in New Zealand on a trade, cargo or other specialist (Category 1) vessel.

Proof must be provided if the traveler is ill and has COVID-19-like symptoms before the trip and may be one of the following:

  • a medical certificate stating that you do not have COVID-19 and was issued by a doctor. This must be acquired no later than 48 hours before to your flight.
  • A PCR test done up to 48 hours prior to the flight or a supervised RAT or LAMP test taken up to 24 hours prior to the flight can both serve as proof of a negative COVID-19 test. In addition, visitors must submit the New Zealand Traveler Declaration.

What are the approved vaccines to enter New Zealand?

As per New Zealand border update, you must have had a full course of an approved COVID-19 vaccine in order to travel to New Zealand. Some of the licensed vaccines require just 1 dosage to complete a full course. No booster dose is required. If the combination of vaccines you receive is permitted in the nation where you were immunized, you can receive doses of each. Each vaccine must be on the list of approved vaccines.

What proof of vaccination should you provide?

As to travel news Philippines, you are required to provide a digital vaccine certificate or a paper or electronic record from a government health authority or approval authority stating that you have received the required vaccinations.

It’s not necessary to convert foreign immunization records into English. We strongly advise you to bring an English translation with you if you have access to one or can readily obtain one.

Are visas required for Filipinos to enter New Zealand?

Yes, a tourist visa is required for Filipinos to enter New Zealand. Only consular visas are accepted as of this posting because iVisa does not yet provide the e-Visa to New Zealand. Visit the Immigration New Zealand website for the latest recent criteria. The following papers must generally be submitted when applying for a visa.

● Passport – Filipino nationals who want to apply for a visa must have a current passport. Make sure the document is still valid at least three months after the day you leave New Zealand.

● Digital photo – The photo must be as current as feasible and adhere to all other passport photo requirements.

● Means of payment – The application process will need online payments. You can pay for that using a credit or debit card, PayPal, Alipay, or WeChat, as well.

● Email address – The visa is normally sent in PDF format through email. Remember to print a few copies so that you have one or two extras.

● Proof of financial means –Once in New Zealand, you will need to demonstrate your ability to support yourself. As evidence of your financial situation, you could need a bank account statement.

● Return flight ticket – If you do not have a return flight ticket to your country of origin (or another destination if you are in transit), you must demonstrate that you have the funds to buy one when you arrive at the airport.

Depending on your plans, you can visit and stay in New Zealand for up to 9 months.

Investing in Real Estate for OFWs

The majority of overseas Filipino employees save money for a home in the Philippines. Some OFWs returned home after the epidemic to spend time with their own families. Because they would be able to live in it with their loved ones in their cherished homeland, the Philippines, these contemporary heroes will consider their dream home and lot in the Philippines to be more worthwhile.

Read Also: Top Ten Countries Where OFWs Work

So why should you invest in Bria Homes? First, Bria homes are excellent and reasonably priced. Filipinos may now finally afford to purchase a high-quality home of their own. In fact, OFWs can aim to invest in additional homes for their kids who will eventually start their own families. Bria Homes, a fast-growing mass housing developer in the Philippines, cites various reasons why a Bria home is an ideal investment.

BRIA Homes, is poised to make condominiums and house-and-lot packages more accessible to typical Filipino families. Bria Homes offers inexpensive housing for homebuyers who appreciate the convenience and a green environment. With simple payment arrangements and low rates, owning a home at Bria Homes is feasible. In order to maintain serving their consumers, Bria keeps channels of communication open. Homes from Bria are located in secure neighborhoods that welcome families. Guarded entrances and exits, CCTVs, and perimeter fences all contribute to the protection and security of families. Additionally, it has amenities like basketball courts for a fit, active lifestyle and eco-friendly areas where locals may unwind and develop friendly relationships.

Now that affordable houses and lots as well as other properties are available for sale in one of the best areas in the Philippines, interested real estate investors looking for their ideal home can do so. Affordable house and lot packages from Bria Homes are available for as little as Php 10,000 per month. With this, if you are actually interested, Bria Homes are offering by obtaining a mortgage loan from your preferred bank. You can get a Pag-IBIG housing loan or a bank housing loan, to purchase your first or new Bria home. Bria Homes will help you every step of the process, no matter which type of housing loan you select from the options offered. You can get virtual tours on the Bria website whenever it’s most convenient for you. Use your laptop or mobile device to view the genuine splendor of the Bria community. 

Written by LM Sanchez