13 May 2022 Apia Samoa. Samoa and other Pacific Island Forum countries can start applying for a visitors visa to New Zealand from as early as next week, Monday 16 May 2022.
This follows from Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern’s announcement earlier this week that New Zealand’s international border will fully reopen to all tourists and visa holders from 11.59pm, 31 July 2022.
“Online visitor visa applications reopen to Pacific Island Forum countries from 16 May”, reads the statement from the New Zealand Government.
There are over 182,000 Samoans living in New Zealand and the travel route between Apia and Auckland sees tens of thousands of citizens going back and forth each year for family faalavelave, reunions, weddings, matai bestowals, and to visit parents in Samoa, and children in New Zealand for schooling. It has been over two years since the closure of this busy travel route between Auckland and Apia.
There is a staggered approach to NZs reopening. The announcement states that, “Vaccinated travellers arriving under the Accredited Employer Work Visa category will be able to apply to New Zealand from 4 July 2022”.
“All other visa categories — including visitor and student visas wanting to travel to New Zealand, applications open from 31 July 2022”.
“Cruise ships can enter New Zealand from 31 July 2022.”
Some travellers will still need to meet vaccination requirements to enter New Zealand.
You can find out more on the New Zealand website by CLICKING HERE or visit www.covid19.govt.nz/border-reopening
