NZeTA health requirements for UK travellers include a health self-declaration on the application form, TB chest X-ray screening if you have visited high-incidence countries, and Yellow Fever vaccination proof if arriving from at-risk areas. No medical certificate or COVID-19 vaccination is required for standard short-stay NZeTA in 2026. Travel insurance is strongly recommended but not legally mandatory.
Last updated: 11 September 2026. This is an informational guide for UK travellers; always verify current requirements with Immigration New Zealand , the governing authority for all NZeTA and visa rules.
To enter Aotearoa, British passport holders must satisfy Immigration New Zealand that they pose no health or character risk. The New Zealand Electronic Travel Authority process relies on self-declaration, meaning you answer specific yes or no questions about your medical history and criminal convictions directly on the form. If your answers trigger manual assessment, you may need to provide a police certificate or undergo a chest X-ray. Understanding these prerequisites before applying ensures your travel authorisation is processed smoothly without unexpected delays.
What Is the NZeTA and Who Needs One?
NZeTA is an electronic travel authorisation, not a visa, required for UK passport holders entering New Zealand by air or cruise. It allows eligible travellers to visit or transit without applying for a full visa first, with the NZeTA fee set at NZ$17-23. Immigration New Zealand (Hīkina Whakatutuki, under Te Kāwanatanga o Aotearoa) governs all NZeTA health and character requirements and assesses each application before travel.
Eligibility depends on your passport, travel mode (air or cruise), and purpose (visit or transit). All arrivals must also complete the free, mandatory New Zealand Traveller Declaration (NZTD) via the NZTD mobile app or paper form; it is linked to your passport and checked at eGate or by a border officer. Submit the NZTD through no later than when you reach passport control in New Zealand. Air New Zealand UK recommends checking entry requirements before booking and at least a week before flying.
Criminal Record Checks and Character Requirements for NZeTA
NZeTA character requirements mandate declaring all criminal convictions on the application form; a custodial sentence of 12 months or more results in an automatic NZeTA decline; you must then apply for a Visitor Visa (£170+) with a criminal record waiver request instead.
Applicants must also disclose deportations, removals, or entry refusals from any country; failure to do so is providing false information to Immigration New Zealand and can result in a ban. A police certificate is not needed upfront, but INZ may request one during manual assessment. Obtain an ACRO Police Certificate at (10-15 working days). A declaration of good character is required from all NZeTA applicants as part of the standard form.
| NZeTA Character Question | What It Asks | If You Answer “Yes” |
|---|---|---|
| Have you ever been convicted of a crime? | Any criminal conviction in any country | Manual assessment required; NZeTA may be declined |
| Have you ever been deported or removed from any country? | Past border enforcement actions | Detailed explanation required; strong likelihood of decline |
| Have you ever been refused entry to or asked to leave any country? | Entry refusals or voluntary departures under declaration | Assessment triggered; may need Visitor Visa instead |
Health Requirements for NZeTA Applicants
NZeTA health requirements rely on self-declaration only: no upfront medical certificate is required unless you declare a condition or trigger tuberculosis screening during the application process.
Under New Zealand immigration law, every applicant must meet an acceptable standard of health. This legal phrase applies in full mainly to visa applicants, but NZeTA holders can still be refused on health grounds at the border if they fail the self-declaration or TB screening.
The NZeTA application form asks the following health self-declaration questions:
- Have you ever had tuberculosis?
- Do you have a condition requiring ongoing hospital treatment or expensive medication?
- Do you have a condition that may burden the New Zealand health system?
Answering “yes” triggers manual assessment and may result in a request for a medical certificate or chest X-ray report.
Tuberculosis (TB) Screening – Who Needs It?
TB screening via chest X-ray is required for NZeTA applicants who spent 3+ months in a high-incidence TB country within the past 5 years. The test type is a chest X-ray, bookable at an INZ-approved panel clinic in the UK with a private cost of £150-£400. If TB is detected, your NZeTA is declined and you must apply for a Visitor Visa with a health waiver. UK residents who have not travelled to high-incidence countries generally do not need tuberculosis screening.
Medical Examinations, Certificates, and Medical Treatment
Standard NZeTA tourism applications require no upfront visa medical examination or certificate, only a health self-declaration. If your declaration triggers manual assessment, INZ may request an examination by an INZ-approved panel physician in the UK; a private chest X-ray costs £150-£400.
Planning medical treatment in New Zealand? You cannot use an NZeTA. Apply for a Medical Treatment Visitor Visa through Immigration New Zealand instead. This visa requires medical reports, proof of funding, and a letter from your treating New Zealand medical provider.
Vaccination Documents for New Zealand Entry (2026)
NZeTA health requirements also cover vaccination documents. COVID-19 vaccination proof is no longer required for entry; restrictions were permanently removed. However, travellers arriving from or transiting through countries with risk of Yellow Fever transmission must carry an International Certificate of Vaccination and Prophylaxis. No routine immunisation proof is mandatory for NZeTA, though carrying an up-to-date NHS vaccination record remains recommended practice. For detailed medical entry requirements, consult GOV.UK travel advice for New Zealand (gov.uk), which references TravelHealthPro guidance.
Travel Insurance for NZeTA Holders – Recommended, Not Mandatory
NZeTA health and character requirements do not legally require travel insurance, unlike Student or Working Holiday visa categories where it is mandatory. However, medical costs in New Zealand can reach tens of thousands of pounds for non-residents facing emergency surgery, hospital stays, or air ambulance repatriation, making comprehensive cover with minimum £1-2 million medical/repatriation cover a strong practical necessity for every NZeTA holder. There is no health insurance requirement enforced at the application stage, but proof may be requested at the NZ border.
The UK-NZ Reciprocal Health Care Agreement covers only public emergency hospital treatment. It excludes repatriation, dental, optical, private hospital fees, and pre-existing conditions; ambulance cover is partial. Get at least £1-2 million medical/repatriation cover. Insurance is not checked at application but may be asked at the NZ border, so carry a printed or digital policy summary.
| Covered by UK-NZ Reciprocal Agreement | NOT Covered |
|---|---|
| Emergency hospital treatment (public system) | Repatriation to the UK |
| Some prescription drugs during hospital stay | Dental treatment |
| Ambulance transport (partial coverage) | Optical / vision care |
| Private hospital or specialist fees | |
| Ongoing treatment for pre-existing conditions |
What If You Don’t Meet the Health or Character Requirements?
Travellers who fail NZeTA health or character thresholds should apply for a full Visitor Visa with a character or medical waiver request instead. The Visitor Visa allows a criminal record waiver request requiring a written explanation, supporting documentation (police certificates from ACRO at, character references, evidence of rehabilitation). A health waiver requires a full visa medical examination, specialist reports, and evidence the condition will not burden the NZ health system. Expected additional processing time is 4-8 weeks or longer. The Visitor Visa application fee is £170+ (higher than the NZeTA fee of NZ$17-23). For complex cases, consult a licensed immigration adviser through the New Zealand Immigration Advisers Authority.
Your NZeTA Health and Character Checklist for 2026
This checklist covers NZeTA character declarations, TB screening triggers, vaccination documents, ACRO police certificates, and travel insurance for UK travellers in 2026.
Review character declaration questions
Check NZeTA character declaration questions before starting the application.
Obtain ACRO Police Certificate
Apply from the UK if you have any criminal convictions (10-15 working days).
Check TB travel history
Check your travel history against TB high-incidence countries (3+ months in past 5 years).
Arrange chest X-ray if TB-triggered
Arrange chest X-ray through NHS or INZ-approved panel clinic (£150-£400 private).
Carry Yellow Fever ICVP
Carry Yellow Fever ICVP if arriving from or transiting through at-risk countries.
Purchase travel insurance
Purchase comprehensive travel insurance with minimum £1-2 million medical/repatriation cover.
Keep NHS vaccination record accessible
Keep your NHS vaccination record accessible (digital and printed copy).
Medical treatment travel
If travelling for medical treatment: apply for Medical Treatment Visitor Visa instead.
Prepare Visitor Visa if ineligible
If you cannot meet requirements: prepare Visitor Visa application with character/medical waiver.
FAQ: NZeTA Health and Character Requirements
What criminal record checks are required for NZeTA from the UK?
For most UK travellers, no police certificate is needed upfront. Declare any convictions, deportations, or entry refusals on the form. If INZ asks for evidence, get an ACRO Police Certificate (; 10-15 working days).
Do I need a medical certificate for NZeTA?
No. Standard applicants do not need a medical certificate. The application includes a health self-declaration with yes or no questions. Only travellers who declare a condition, have TB-related travel history, or show symptoms will be asked for further assessment such as a chest X-ray.
What medical condition can cause an NZeTA or visa denial?
Conditions that may lead to a health-related decline include active tuberculosis, conditions requiring ongoing hospital treatment or expensive medication, and conditions that would place a significant burden on the public health system. Assessment is triggered only by what you declare or by your travel history.
Is travel insurance mandatory for NZeTA?
No. Travel insurance is not a legal requirement. However, it is strongly recommended. The UK-NZ Reciprocal Health Care Agreement covers only emergency hospital treatment and excludes repatriation, dental care, and ongoing treatment. Without insurance, you could face medical bills of tens of thousands of pounds.
What vaccinations do I need for New Zealand in 2026?
New Zealand does not mandate routine vaccinations for entry. COVID-19 vaccination proof is no longer required. However, if arriving from or transiting through a country with risk of Yellow Fever, you must carry an International Certificate of Vaccination and Prophylaxis. Carrying an up-to-date vaccination record is recommended.
Do I need a TB test for NZeTA?
You may need a chest X-ray if you have spent three or more months in a country with high tuberculosis incidence within the past five years, or if you answer yes to TB-related health questions. Most short-stay UK travellers who have not visited high-incidence countries will not be asked for screening.
What happens if I don’t declare a health condition on my NZeTA?
Failing to declare a relevant health condition is considered providing false or misleading information to Immigration New Zealand. This can result in your travel authorisation being declined, your entry being refused at the border, or potential bans from future applications. Always answer health questions honestly.
Can I get an NZeTA with a criminal record?
It depends on the severity. Minor offences that did not result in a custodial sentence of 12 months or more generally do not disqualify you, but you must declare them. Convictions resulting in imprisonment of 12 months or longer will likely result in a decline. In that case, apply for a Visitor Visa and request a character waiver.
What is the UK and New Zealand Reciprocal Health Care Agreement?
It is a bilateral treaty allowing UK residents to receive emergency medical treatment through the public health system. It covers emergency hospital care but excludes repatriation, dental treatment, optical care, ambulance fees, and private medical services. Comprehensive travel insurance remains essential.
Where can I get a police certificate for NZeTA in the UK?
Apply for an ACRO Police Certificate through the ACRO Criminal Records Office at. Processing typically takes 10-15 working days. You will need this certificate if Immigration New Zealand requests evidence of your criminal history as part of the character assessment.
