Visiting & living in the United Kingdom

Ensure you apply for your ETA from the UK government either online or via their UK ETA app, and not any other website.  Apply for an electronic travel authorisation (ETA)(external link)

If you have queries about the ETA, UK Visas and Immigration provide advice via an online webchat

Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) Webchat(external link)

The New Zealand High Commission does not have any role in UK visa or immigration processes and cannot provide advice or assistance to those who want to apply for a visa to live and work in the United Kingdom. 

Visas are issued by the United Kingdom Visas and Immigration (UKVI) service.

Visas and Immigration(external link)

Check if you need a UK visa(external link)

These links may be useful:

How to apply for a visa to come to the UK(external link)

Apply to visit or stay in the UK(external link)

Everyone who already has a visa or permission to live and work in the UK must create a UKVI account. 

UKVI Enquiries

If you have any queries, please contact UKVI directly.

Website: www.gov.uk/visas-immigration (external link)

Phone: 0300 790 6268 or +44 (0) 20 3875 4669 if you cannot use UK 0300 numbers  

Hours can vary. Please refer to additional contact details and call charges here(external link).

Please note the following important information:

• The United Kingdom authorities determine the conditions under which New Zealand passport holders may enter the UK. 

• It is your responsibility to ensure that you comply with entry requirements for the United Kingdom.

• Failure to meet these requirements could result in you being refused entry and returned to New Zealand or your last point of embarkation.

• The New Zealand High Commission cannot interfere in this decision.  We have no authority or ability to influence the decisions made by the Border Force or Border Force officers, or make representations on an individual's behalf.

If you have a criminal record(external link) or you have previously been refused permission to enter the UK you may need a visitor visa. 

You will need a visa if you want to travel to the UK for marriage or a civil partnership.  

Transferring your visa to an eVisa

UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) are replacing physical documents, such as biometric residence permits (BRP), visa vignettes or wet ink stamps, with an online record of your immigration status called an eVisa.

This website tells you how create a UKVI account and access your eVisa

Online immigration status (eVisa)(external link)

We recommend reading the information carefully.  If you have any queries, please contact UKVI directly using the contact details on the website.

UKVI have produced helpful online videos.  They explain what an eVisa is, how to create a UKVI account, how to access your eVisa and how to travel with your eVisa.

Online immigration status (eVisa): help videos(external link)

Applying for British Citizenship

Information, criteria and the application process to apply for British citizenship is on the British Citizenship webpage(external link).

Holding Dual New Zealand - United Kingdom Citizenship

New Zealand and the United Kingdom allow for dual citizenship with one another. You can be a citizen of both nations. More information is on these links: 

Dual citizenship - GOV.UK(external link)

Dual citizenship | New Zealand Government(external link)

Visa advice for other countries

The New Zealand High Commission is not able to provide advice or information about visas or entry requirements for other countries.  Need a visa for travelling overseas? | SafeTravel(external link).

Contact your airline or the diplomatic representative of the country you want to enter to find out what their entry and exit requirements are. Keep in mind requirements may change at short notice. The British Foreign and Commonwealth Office website has a list of foreign embassies based in the United Kingdom(external link).