Kiwi passport and trans-Tasman travel

[burmans]

A question for those who travel on an NZ passport.

My understanding is that if this is the case the normal 3 month required validity of passports doesn't hold between OZ and NZ and you can travel back and forth up until the last day before expiry but information on this seems varied. Can someone confirm?

 

[TomVexille]

IIRC I traveled with about a month left late last year

 

[Deleted member]

I wouldn’t leave less than 3 months on my (NZ) passport regardless of whether I "thought" I was only travelling between NZ and Oz, or not.

 

[cambriamarsh]

IIRC I traveled with about a month left late last year

I’ve done it with less than a month via SmartGate both ways so should be fine.

 

[OZDUCK]

The passport just has to be valid - unexpired at the time of arrival immi_travel

You do get the 6 month validity spiel on websites like this Australian Visa Information - Visa Authority which are there to make money by charging a processing fee for ontaining a free or minimal cost visa under an official sounding name.

 

[burmans]

Thanks, that was my understanding too.

 

[Altair]

Thanks, that was my understanding too.

Although I have an Australian passport I have travelled enough with Kiwis to confirm that you can travel up to the day of expiry. In fact one trip back boss left it late and we arrived at WLG 23:55 on expiry date and by time he got to the passport control it was 0:10 so passport technically expired. He was let through but reminded to renew his passport before any further overseas travels.

 

[burmans]

In fact one trip back boss left it late and we arrived at WLG 23:55 on expiry date and by time he got to the passport control it was 0:10 so passport technically expired. He was let through but reminded to renew his passport before any further overseas travels.

Good story! Although I have read recently that for your own country that even an expired passport is generally regarded as valid proof of citizenship and hence you will be let in. Getting the airline to let you fly seems to be the main issue. Obviously in your own country immigration have better opportunities to verify identity.