Permits for Disembarking Passengers and Crew
Disembarking passengers or crew require a permit if:
- they intend to depart by air after the vessel has left New Zealand or
- the vessel is in New Zealand longer than 28 days.
Those travelling on visa abolition passports will be issued with a permit in accordance with their citizenship, from the date the vessel enters New Zealand at the first Customs place.
Those travelling on non-visa abolition passports will be issued with a permit in accordance with a valid visa if one is already obtained, or in accordance with their outward travel arrangements. The Customs officer will need to sight evidence of outward ticketing to determine the length of permit.
Where there is no evidence of outward travel, the passenger or crew member will be referred to the New Zealand Immigration Service (NZIS) for a decision on permit length, on arrival, and will not be permitted to leave the craft until NZIS requirements are satisfied.