Complete Guide to Traveling to USA from New Zealand: Everything you need to know.

The USA is one of the most popular destinations for travellers worldwide, including for New Zealand citizens and permanent residents. The country’s large and diverse cities, beautiful beaches, and some of the best national parks in the world make it a great travel spot any time of year. Plus, the U.S. is home to the world’s best universities and has a robust economy for those looking for work. But before you board the plane, having the right visa is essential.

Read on to learn more in this travel guide to the U.S. for New Zealand residents, including important steps to take before your trip starts. And if you’re thinking about how to manage with U.S. dollars, check out our section on how to use Wise easily in America.

New Zealand to USA Travel Requirements

If you are a New Zealand citizen travelling to the U.S., you will likely find the visa process reasonably simple. New Zealand residents, on the other hand, will have to travel using their issuing country passport, which will determine what type of visa is required. Let’s take a deeper look at the American visa needs of NZ citizens and PR visa holders.¹

American Visa for New Zealand Citizens

The U.S. has a travel arrangement known as the Visa Waiver Program (VWP) with 40 participating countries, including New Zealand. This program, which also includes Australia, European Union nations, and countries like China, Japan, Taiwan, and South Korea, allows citizens to travel to the U.S. for short-term visits for tourism, business, or other non-work-related reasons with a visa waiver. This is a significant advantage for New Zealand citizens planning a trip to the U.S.

The U.S. VWP allows New Zealand citizens to apply for a visa waiver using the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA).²

For New Zealand citizens to apply for the visa waiver, they must meet the following conditions:

• You must be a New Zealand citizen. Permanent Residents are not eligible.
• You should not currently hold a U.S. visitor’s visa.
• Your proposed travel is for 90 days or less.
• The purpose of your travel is for tourism or business.

Please note that the ESTA is not a visa. It is just an arrangement between the U.S. and New Zealand to facilitate specific short-term travel to the U.S. ESTA is valid for two years from the issue date and allows multiple visits.

Long-term visits require NZ citizens to apply for non-immigrant U.S. visas if they want to travel to the U.S. for more than 90 days.

American Visa for New Zealand Residence Permit holders

Non-citizens with a New Zealand residence permit can apply for U.S. non-immigrant visas before travelling, unless eligible for the Visa Waiver Program (VWP) as a citizen of the 40 eligiblecountries. For instance, an Indian citizen with an NZ residence permit is not eligible for the U.S. VWP, whereas a French citizen with an NZ residence permit is eligible.

Here are some of the visas available and who can apply:^2,3

Visa Type	Visa Category	Who can Apply
Business/Tourist Visa4	B1	Visitors travelling temporarily for business
B2	Visitors travelling temporarily for leisure or medical treatment.
B1/B2	A combination visa allows visitors to combine business, leisure, and medical treatment.
Work Visa5	H-1B	Visitors coming with a pre-arranged professional job.
H-2A	Temporary agricultural workers for jobs where U.S. workers are not available
H-2B	Temporary or seasonal workers for jobs where U.S. workers are not available
H-3	Visitors who wish to receive training from an employer in any field except graduate education/training
H-4	Dependents of a principal holder of an H visa
L-1	Employees of an international company that transfers you to the parent branch/subsidiary/affiliate of the same company in the U.S.
L-2	Dependents of a principal holder of an L-1 visa
O	Visitors with extraordinary ability in fields like arts, science, education, business, athletics, and cinema production
P	Athletes, entertainers, and artists visiting the U.S. to perform
Q	Participants in international cultural programs
Student Visa6	F-1	Students engaging in academic studies in the U.S.
M-1	Students engaging in non-academic or vocational studies in the U.S.
Exchange Visitor Visa7	J	Foreign citizens visiting the U.S. on exchange programs in fields like arts, science, education, and others
Journalist and Media Visa8	I	Journalists and representatives of foreign media travelling temporarily to the U.S.

Note that your visa is only valid for a certain amount of time, and you must return home, renew, or extend your visa (if applicable) if you want to stay longer.

Applying for an American Visa from New Zealand

New Zealand citizens can apply for ESTA online through the Visa Waiver Program. Have the following information ready when applying for ESTA:⁹

• Valid Passport — Your NZ passport must be valid for more than six months from the date of arrival in the U.S.
• Other Information — You will need to provide information such as your address, telephone number and other details.
• Email Address— You must have a valid email address. The ESTA approval is sent via email within 72 hours.
• Visa Payment - You must pay the ESTA fees online using your debit or credit card. To make overseas payments, consider using a Wise travel card.

Applying for the ESTA under VWP is a simple online process:

1. Access the U.S. Visa online application portal.
2. Fill in the details asked for in the application form.
3. Review the information and confirm the payment.
4. You will receive the ESTA approval decision via email within 72 hours.

If you are not eligible for the ESTA, or you didn’t get approval, you must apply for a regular non-immigrant visa. The process is online. However, some visas require you to attend an interview with the consulate officer. Let’s go through the non-immigrant visa application procedure:¹⁰

1. Know which type of visa to apply for.
2. Complete the Non-immigrant Visa Electronic Application, also known as DS-160 form. Use these guidelines to complete the DS-160 form correctly.
3. Pay your visa fees using your debit or credit card.
4. Schedule your visa appointment. Some visas require you to attend an interview.
5. Attend your interview. Carry your passport with you and submit it to the consulate with the DS-160 confirmation page, your appointment confirmation, and one photograph as per U.S. visa specifications.
6. Track your passport. Once approved, the passport will be returned to you.

If approved, you can travel to the U.S. anytime before your visa expires.

Keep a copy of Form I-94 after you enter the U.S. It records your entry and exit from the U.S. This form ensures you do not overstay your visa.

Flying to the USA from New Zealand

You can fly from New Zealand to hundreds of destinations in the U.S. The different airlines offering flights from New Zealand to the U.S. include:

• Air New Zealand
• United Airlines
• Lufthansa
• Air Canada,
• Qantas
• Delta Airlines
• American Airlines

Direct flights are available from New Zealand to the U.S. but can be more expensive than one with layovers. Flights with stops tend to include a stop in Sydney, Melbourne, or Brisbane. When picking a flight, keep in mind the flight time, which can be more than 30 hours long.¹¹

What can I bring to the U.S.?

In most cases, you can bring what you usually use and wear at home. However, whether you’re coming to the U.S. to study, work, travel, or for business, you must abide by specific rules about what you can and can’t bring to the U.S. The U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) keeps revising its list of prohibited and restricted items for international visitors.¹²

Prohibited items are those forbidden by law from entering the U.S. They include dangerous toys, bush meat, fireworks/ammunition, hazardous waste, ivory, shark fins, marijuana, and illegal substances like Rohypnol or absinthe.

Restricted items require special licenses or permits from a federal agency before they can enter the U.S. Some examples include specific animal products and by-products (snakeskin watch bands), firearms/weapons, furs, gold, tobacco, specific fruits and vegetables, and some live animals.

Documents to carry before flying to the USA

Visitors from New Zealand should have these documents handy when arriving in the U.S.:

1. Valid passport with a validity period of at least six months from the date of entry into the U.S.
2. Your ESTA approval or the appropriate visa documentation
3. Alternate IDs, like your driver’s license
4. University admission (I-20 form) if you are a student
5. Employment contract letter, if you visit the U.S. to work
6. Documents showing the purpose of your visit to the U.S.
7. Health or vaccination certificates, especially COVID-19, if applicable
8. Medical prescriptions, especially if you carry medications with you
9. Travel insurance documents
10. Emergency contact numbers

It is recommended that you carry printouts of these documents in your carry bag. You can also have a digitised copy on your laptop, smartphone, or tablet.¹³

Checklist for New Zealand to USA Travel

Having a travel checklist can make getting ready for your trip to the U.S. easier. Here are things to check off before your flight:¹⁴

1. Register your travel and emergency contact details with the NZ government.
2. Take out adequate travel insurance, if you want, as healthcare in the U.S. can be expensive.
3. Have a list of contact numbers in your carry bag or smartphone in case of an emergency.
4. Check your passport validity and ensure it is valid for at least six months beyond your departure from the country.
5. Keep your visa documents handy.
6. Check your health precautions. Keep your prescriptions handy, especially if you are taking medication. Also, keep in mind that some medicines might not be available in the U.S.
7. Make a budget for your trip, and consider carrying credit or debit cards instead of cash.
8. Pack for your trip, and include layers for varying weather depending on your destination. Make sure to include your mobile phone chargers and adapters.
9. Explore local connectivity options. International roaming on your NZ SIM cards can be expensive, so look for local prepaid SIM cards.

Travel Insurance for the U.S.

Despite your best preparations, things can go wrong on a trip, so consider travel insurance before heading to the U.S. Travel insurance can provide financial cover for unexpected events like lost baggage, travel delays, loss of a passport or health issues abroad. The cost of travel insurance will depend on where you’re going, and it does require a non-refundable premium payment upfront, even if your trip goes smoothly.

Learn more in our guide for the best travel insurance for travel to the U.S.

Managing Your Finances in the U.S.

The U.S. is an easy place to manage your money, especially with digital payments and wallets. It is recommended that you carry your debit or credit cards instead of cash, or better yet, keep your cards in a Google or Apple wallet. You can tap and pay in most places, and cards are safer and more convenient to use than cash. Jump to our section below on using cards in the U.S.

You don’t need to open a bank account in the U.S. if you are on a short visit. However, opening a local bank account is convenient if you plan to stay in the U.S.

Using Your NZD Debit/Credit Cards

The U.S. has a well-defined financial sector and an extensive card network, so nearly all Mastercard, Visa and American Express cards should be accepted.

However, using your local New Zealand credit or debit cards in the U.S. can be expensive because of high foreign transaction fees and exchange rate mark-ups. Want to keep more of your money to spend on your trip? Try Wise.

The Wise travel card lets you hold balances in NZD, USD, and 40 other currencies. You can load the currency balance you want and pay like a local when travelling in the U.S.

With Wise, you always get the real mid-market exchange rate, which is the same rate you see on Google, so you’ll never pay an exchange rate markup. Travel like a local in the U.S. with the Wise travel card.

Cash Considerations

While most transactions can be done with a debit or credit card in the U.S., cash may be helpful at certain times. Local cash can be a good option for emergencies where cards might not work, paying at a local market or leaving a tip.

However, watch out for charges and fees when you use your local New Zealand cards at ATMs in the U.S. Most transactions will have a marked-up exchange rate and additional fees, which can eat into your spending. Check your card's charges for overseas ATM withdrawals before you leave New Zealand.

When you use a Wise travel card at over 3 million ATMs worldwide, you can save money on ATM withdrawals. Wise lets you withdraw up to $100 per month without fees. And with an in-app ATM finder, you can get cash whenever needed.

The Wise travel card will also send you notifications and keep track of your spending and withdrawals to help you stay on budget.

Save on USA Transactions and Swipe like a local with Wise

The U.S. is a great place to dine, shop and have fun, so don’t let money worries or managing multiple currencies get in your way. Sign up for Wise to worry less and enjoy your trip to the States.

The Wise travel card is an easy, simple, and convenient way to travel and budget when visiting the U.S. You can load U.S. dollars into the account at the mid-market exchange rate before you leave and then swipe, tap and spend like a local once you touch down Stateside. With an easy-to-use app, you can keep track of all your transactions and load more into your account if needed. And with free ATM withdrawals of up to $100 every month, you can get all the dollars you need with Wise.

Join Wise today and make the most of your trip to the States.

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Please see the terms of use and product availability for your region or visit Wise fees and pricing for the most up to date pricing and fee information.

Sources used for this article:

1. US Visa Waiver Program
2. Electronic System for Travel Authorization
3. Non-Immigrant US Visas
4. Business/Tourist Visa
5. Work Visa
6. Student Visa
7. Exchange Visitor Visa
8. Journalist and Media Visa
9. Apply for the ESTA online
10. Apply for a US non-immigrant visa
11. Flying to the US from New Zealand
12. What you can bring to the US
13. Documents to carry to the US
14. Checklist for USA travel

Sources verified on 2 August 2024.