Thursday, May 29, 2025
New Zealand has expanded its eGate system to include US, Canada, South Korea, Australia, Poland, Cyprus, Denmark, China, and 40 more countries, significantly speeding up the immigration process for international travellers. This move enhances border efficiency by allowing eligible visitors to use automated facial recognition technology, reducing wait times and providing a smoother, faster entry experience at major airports across the country.
Traveling to New Zealand has just become more convenient for a wider range of global visitors. The country has expanded its eGate system to 11 additional nations, allowing eligible travellers to bypass immigration queues and experience quicker border clearance with facial recognition technology.
Announced on May 26, 2025, this expansion enhances the efficiency of New Zealand’s border control system and improves the experience for international arrivals. With this update, the number of countries eligible for the eGate system now totals 48, offering a faster and smoother immigration process for an increasing number of travellers.
Here is the full list of eGate-eligible countries and territories for 2025 in bullet points:
Oceania
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
- United Kingdom
- Vatican City
Asia
- China (excluding Hong Kong)
- Japan
- South Korea
- Singapore
- Macao
North America
Middle East
- Bahrain
- Kuwait
- Oman
- United Arab Emirates
What Are eGates and How Do They Work?
eGates are automated kiosks that use facial recognition and biometric technology to match a traveller’s ePassport photo with a live image, enabling passengers to clear customs without interacting with a border officer. This reduces wait times and alleviates congestion at immigration checkpoints.
eGates are available at major international airports in Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch, and Queenstown.
To use the eGates, travellers must meet the following criteria:
- Be 10 years old or older
- Have a biometric (ePassport)
- Complete the New Zealand Traveller Declaration (NZTD) before arriving
- Tip: Avoid wearing hats, scarves, or large glasses to ensure your live image clearly matches your passport photo.
The 11 Newly Eligible Countries
The eGate system has now been extended to the following countries and territories:
- Europe: Andorra, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Monaco, Norway, Vatican City
- Asia: Macao
- Middle East: Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, United Arab Emirates
This extension follows a successful trial phase in which the biometric compatibility of ePassports from these regions was rigorously tested by New Zealand Customs and Immigration.
eGates: Advancing Faster Border Crossings
According to Paul Williams, Acting Group Manager of Border Operations at New Zealand Customs, approximately 70% of travellers are now processed through eGates. These self-service systems, alongside the NZTD, have proven effective in streamlining the border clearance process and reducing congestion.
The NZTD: A Mandatory Step for All Visitors
Since August 2023, all visitors to New Zealand must complete the New Zealand Traveller Declaration (NZTD). This digital form gathers important information about your trip, health status, and imported goods.
To complete the NZTD:
- Visit travellerdeclaration.govt.nz
- Or download the NZTD app from the App Store or Google Play
As of April 2024, the NZTD will also be required for maritime arrivals.
New Zealand has added US, Canada, South Korea, Australia, Poland, Cyprus, Denmark, China, and 40 more countries to its eGate system, speeding up immigration for international travellers. This expansion uses facial recognition technology to streamline border processing and reduce wait times.
NZeTA: A Requirement for Visa-Waiver Countries
Travellers from visa-waiver countries must also apply for the New Zealand Electronic Travel Authority (NZeTA) before their departure. This electronic visa is valid for multiple entries over a two-year period.
Tags: Australia, border control, Canada, china, cyprus, denmark, eGate expansion, facial recognition, International travel, new zealand, poland, south korea, Travel News, US
