Immigration New Zealand has extended the travel period for citizens from Pacific Islands Forum countries, including Samoa, by introducing a two-year multiple-entry visitor visa. The change took effect on 6 July 2025 and applies to new visitor visas issued from that date. Those issued before that date remain under the previous 12-month validity.
Under the new arrangement, visitors can enter and exit New Zealand freely for up to 24 months. However, they must still comply with existing stay limits: no more than six months within any 12-month period, and no more than nine months in any 18-month period. The visa allows multiple visits across the two-year window but does not change the maximum time allowed per visit or within a given timeframe.
The extended visa applies to citizens of the following Pacific Islands Forum countries: Cook Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, Fiji, Kiribati, Republic of the Marshall Islands, Nauru, Niue, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tonga, Tuvalu, and Vanuatu. Tokelau is also covered under this arrangement as a New Zealand territory.
The changes visa aims to make travel easier for Pacific peoples with close family, business, cultural, and community ties in New Zealand. Many Pacific families are spread across the region, with parents, children, and relatives living on both sides of the ocean. These changes will reduce the cost and hassle of reapplying for new visas and allow more flexibility for short-term travel needs, including funerals, weddings, and family visits.
Immigration Minister Erica Stanford said the visa extension is part of broader efforts to strengthen New Zealand’s relationship with the Pacific and reduce unnecessary barriers for travel. She said the change does not alter who qualifies for a visa, but makes the process easier for those who do. People who continue to meet the standard visitor visa criteria will now receive the longer-term visa by default.
From November 2025, a new trial will also begin for Pacific Islands Forum country citizens who are already in Australia. The trial will allow them to enter New Zealand without applying for a visitor visa, provided they hold a valid Australian visa, such as a work, student, visitor, or family visa. Instead of going through the full visitor visa application process, they will only need to obtain a New Zealand Electronic Travel Authority (NZeTA). This will allow them to visit New Zealand for up to three months at a time.
This 12-month trial recognises that many Pacific Islanders live and work in Australia and often travel to New Zealand for family or community reasons. By removing the requirement to apply for a full visa, the government is aiming to simplify access for eligible Pacific travellers while continuing to uphold border requirements.
The policy shift comes amid renewed efforts by the New Zealand government to build stronger ties with Pacific nations and improve support for regional mobility. Ministers have said these steps reflect New Zealand’s commitment to the Pacific and a desire to create more people-friendly systems that honour the deep personal and cultural links between New Zealand and its Pacific neighbours.
