Customs has announced that eligible ePassport holders from eleven additional countries and territories can now use New Zealand’s automated eGates for both arrivals and departures.
Travellers aged 10 and over from Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Mexico, Hong Kong, Malaysia, Taiwan, Thailand, the Philippines, the Seychelles, and San Marino are now eligible to use the eGates at airports across New Zealand.
This update brings the total number of eligible countries and territories to 59. Work was continuing to enable further additions later this year.
A series of trials were conducted by Customs and Immigration NZ to ensure ePassports from these countries met strict border security and technological requirements.
Customs border operations group manager Dana McDonald said the changes help ensure more international travellers enjoy a self-service route through arrival and departure at New Zealand airports.
He said eGates used biometric software and information from ePassports to carry out necessary checks in seconds, which frees up Customs frontline officers to focus on high-risk travellers and baggage.
“Together with completing a digital New Zealand Traveller Declaration, using eGates can help travellers reduce screening times, making it easier and faster to move through border security.”
Immigration New Zealand border director Sarah Clifford said opening eGates to more eligible passport holders was a “significant step” in making travel to New Zealand smoother.
“This expansion makes genuine travel easier, while maintaining the integrity of our border.”
