Travel disrupted by
the Middle East
situation
Issued: Monday 02 Mar 2026, 07:10 pm NZDT
We have established a priority phone line from Monday to Friday for people to contact us about this specific situation. Call 0508 558 855 (toll free from NZ landlines) or +64 9 914 4100 and press option 7. For information about what options are available to you, check:
Middle East: advice for temporary visa holders in New Zealand affected by travel disruptions
Visiting on business
Learn about coming to New Zealand on business or applying for an Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Business Travel Card. Find out how to get approval for your arts or music festival to make it easy for performers and staff to come to New Zealand.
Visiting New Zealand on business
If you are planning to visit New Zealand on business, check to see if you need a visa or a New Zealand Electronic Travel Authority (NZeTA).
APEC Business Travel Card to visit New Zealand
If you have an APEC Business Travel Card (ABTC), you can visit New Zealand for up to 2 months at a time to carry out trade and investment activities. New Zealand needs to be listed on your card as an economy that has pre-cleared you for short-term business travel here.
APEC Business Travel Card (ABTC) and Virtual ABTC for New Zealanders
If you are a New Zealander and have an APEC Business Travel Card (ABTC), you can visit participating APEC economies at short notice to carry out trade and investment activities. You can only travel to the economies listed on your card, that have pre-cleared you for business travel there.
Approval for festivals and entertainment promoters
Festival and entertainment organisers can get approval to bring their performers and staff to New Zealand on Visitor Visas.
Visa guidance for performers and support staff
Performers and support staff for festivals or entertainment acts must apply for a NZeTA (New Zealand Electronic Travel Authority) or a specific visitor visa to travel to New Zealand.