Faster, Smarter Travel to New Zealand in 2025

New Zealand has just made border crossings smoother and smarter. On May 26, 2025, the New Zealand Customs Service announced an expansion of its automated eGate system, now accessible to citizens of 11 additional countries and territories. This tech-driven upgrade marks a significant step in modernising travel for eligible international visitors.

For travel agents, corporate planners, and consolidators, this change means faster processing, reduced wait times, and added value for clients seeking seamless arrivals into New Zealand.

What Are eGates and How Do They Work?

eGates are self-service immigration kiosks that use facial recognition to match a traveller’s live image with their biometric passport. Available at Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch, and Queenstown airports, they eliminate the need for face-to-face immigration checks—perfect for high-traffic entry points.

To qualify for eGate use, travellers must:

Be 10 years or older
Hold a valid biometric (ePassport)
Complete the NZ Traveller Declaration (NZTD) before arrival

Pro Tip for Travellers: Avoid wearing hats, oversized glasses, or anything that could obstruct facial recognition.

The 11 New eGate-Eligible Countries (2025 Update)

Here are the newly added countries and territories now eligible to use New Zealand’s eGate system:

Asia: Macao

This brings the total to 48 eligible countries, making New Zealand’s border control among the most tech-forward in the Asia-Pacific region.

Full List: All 48 eGate-Eligible Countries (as of 2025)

Region	Countries/Territories
Oceania	New Zealand, Australia
Europe	Andorra, Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Monaco, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, UK, Vatican City
Asia	China (excluding Hong Kong), Japan, South Korea, Singapore, Macao
North America	Canada, United States
Middle East	Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, United Arab Emirates

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