New Zealanders planning trips to the United Kingdom are being urged to check that their travel documents meet updated entry requirements or risk facing uncovered costs if their plans fall through.
The Insurance & Financial Services Ombudsman Scheme (IFSO Scheme) said travellers who fail to meet new UK passport and visa rules will likely find themselves without insurance coverage.
“Travel insurance usually won’t cover situations where a traveller doesn’t meet passport or visa requirements and can’t travel,” Karen Stevens, Insurance & Financial Services Ombudsman, said. “We commonly see travel insurance claims declined because of this.”
From February 25, British and Irish dual citizens travelling to the UK or Ireland must use a British or Irish passport rather than their New Zealand passport. The change has prompted some travellers to rush applications for British passports ahead of departure dates.
Another requirement took effect on January 8, 2025, mandating New Zealanders visiting the UK without a visa or immigration status obtain a UK Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) before flying. A similar system, ETIAS, will be required next year for New Zealanders travelling to the European Union.
Stevens said travellers unable to board flights due to incorrect documentation face potentially significant financial losses.
“If someone can’t board a flight because they don’t have the correct passport or visa, that can turn out to be a very expensive situation,” she said.
She added airlines generally do not inform customers of entry and passport requirements, placing responsibility on travellers to research requirements themselves.
“These are new, unfamiliar requirements, and it’s understandable travellers may not be aware of them,” Stevens said.
She advised travellers to verify current requirements well before departure and allow sufficient time to obtain necessary documentation.
“Travel insurance is generally pretty good at covering mishaps and unexpected disruptions, but this is a common exclusion that people need to be aware of,” she said.
