Complete Guide to Traveling to Hong Kong from New Zealand: Everything you need to know [2025]

Planning a trip to Hong Kong? Thousands of New Zealanders make the journey every year¹. The captivating city boasts a unique mix of sky-high nightlife and down-to-earth street food markets. Whether you’ve got your heart set on a sightseeing tour or want to study, work, or visit friends and family, you’ll need to sort out a few things before you go.

This blog will detail the exciting visa-free arrangements available for short stays, and cover some customs and finance tips to smooth your journey to 'Asia's World City'. We'll also introduce you to the Wise travel card – your perfect companion for managing expenses on your travels abroad. Wise offers the mid-market exchange rate with no markups and transparent fees to help save on international transactions.

Table of contents
NZ to HK Travel Requirements Applying for HK Visa from NZ Flying to HK from NZ Checklist for Hong Kong travel Managing Payments in Hong Kong Cash Considerations Using Your NZ Cards Wise Travel Card for HK

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New Zealand to Hong Kong Travel Requirements

New Zealand is one of the countries to which Hong Kong offers visa exemptions for holidays. You can even journey to China for 15 days afterward without a visa if you want to tick off several big cities at once².

Hong Kong Visa for New Zealand Citizens

New Zealanders can stay in Hong Kong for up to 90 days without a visa³. This is for tourist purposes only. The 'permissible' activities listed by authorities for visa-free travel also include minor business pursuits such as taking part in exhibitions and giving a speech or presentation at an event.

If you intend to stay for longer than 3 months or want to study or work in the region, you must apply for a relevant visa.

Hong Kong has quite a few non-resident visa types⁴:

• Study
• Talent Admission
• Working holiday
• Training
• Investment as entrepreneur
• Dependent

The talent admission category includes 7 employment visa types designed to attract skilled workers⁵. For example, the Top Talent Pass Scheme (TTPS) targets degree graduates with an annual income of more than 2.5m HKD (562,637 NZD) in their home country. This visa grants a stay of up to 3 years⁶.

You can find information about all the visa types and eligibility requirements on the official website of the Hong Kong Immigration Department.

Hong Kong Visa for New Zealand Residence Permit holders

Hong Kong grants visa-free entry to nationals from more than 170 countries⁷. If you are a NZ resident permit holder, you must check the eligibility requirements based on your passport.

Check the full list of countries that are eligible for visa exemptions. If you are still unsure about how to proceed, contact the Embassy of the People's Republic of China in Wellington.

Applying for Hong Kong Visa from New Zealand

You won't need to apply for a visa for short stays. However, if you are travelling to Hong Kong for any other purpose, you must complete a visa application. The easiest way to do this is by applying online.

Here’s a step-by-step guide for the process:

1. Visit Hong Kong’s immigration department website and navigate to the visa and entry permits section
2. Select the relevant visa type and click 'Apply entry now'.
3. Read the eligibility criteria and prepare support documents, including:
   1. Valid passport
   2. Recent photograph
   3. Proof of financial standing such as bank statement
   4. Flight and trip itinerary
4. Click on the 'online application' link at the bottom of the page
5. Click the tick boxes to declare you are eligible for the service
6. Click 'start' and fill in the application form and upload scanned documents
7. Submit the application and wait up to 4 weeks for approval
8. Pay the visa fee using the link in the approval email
9. Receive e-visa via the web portal and email

You must then present the e-visa on arrival. Hong Kong authorities recommend having a printed A4 copy at hand, in addition to the e-visa saved on your smartphone.

If you would rather apply for a visa in person, you can print off a completed application form and submit it with supporting documents at the Chinese Embassy in Wellington. The address is as follows:

Embassy	Address	Phone
Embassy of the People's Republic of China	2-6 Glenmore Street, Thorndon, 6011, Wellington	+64-4-472-1382

Flying to Hong Kong from New Zealand

You can catch a direct flight to Hong Kong. Air New Zealand and Cathay Pacific both run non-stop routes from Auckland to Hong Kong International Airport. While still technically a long-haul flight, you can get there in around 11 to 12 hours.

Several other airlines offer flights with layovers. These include Emirates, Qantas, and Singapore Airlines. A connecting flight might be convenient if you are in or near Wellington or Christchurch. This adds a few hours to a total flight time of roughly 14 to 16 hours.

What can I bring into Hong Kong

Hong Kong has a familiar red and green customs system⁸. After landing, you must queue up at the red channel if you need to pay duty on items or declare prohibited or restricted goods. You will need a permit or licence for the following⁹:

• Dangerous drugs
• Weapons and ammunition
• Fireworks
• Animals and plants
• Meat, poultry and eggs

If you don’t have anything to declare, you can head on over to the green channel. The duty-free allowances in Hong Kong include¹⁰:

• Up to 120,000 HKD in notes and coins or the foreign currency equivalent
• 19 cigarette sticks, or 1 cigar, or 25g of tobacco
• 1L of alcohol

Document to carry before flying to Hong Kong

Hong Kong doesn’t require a lot of paperwork for entry. A passport and visa will suffice in most cases. However, having these documents will give you peace of mind for a smooth passage into the country.

• Passport: Your passport must be valid for six months after your planned departure from Hong Kong.
• Visa: If you aren't exempted, have your e-visa and printed copy ready to present to immigration authorities.
• Return ticket: It’s also handy to have your return flight tickets at hand to prove onward or return travel.
• Travel insurance: You should also have a hard copy of your travel insurance policy.

Checklist for New Zealand to Hong Kong Travel

Hong Kong is a small but densely populated region. If you are only staying here, get in the city break mindset. You will need a robust backpack and travel guidebook or app to make the most of each day. Make sure you have these other essentials, too:

• Travel adapters and electronics: Hong Kong uses a UK-style Type G plug so pack in a universal travel adapter and a power bank to keep your devices charged on long days out.
• Appropriate clothing: Hong Kong has a subtropical climate. Expect high humidity year-round and hot summers —June to August. There will be rain, though, so pack in a waterproof jacket.
• Basic medical supplies: Don’t forget health and safety items including sun protection, inspect repellent, and sticking plasters. A small portable fan might come in handy as well.

Mobile connectivity

You can roam on your NZ SIM card in Hong Kong. Spark currently offers a 14-day 4G service with 2GB of data for 25 NZD. You can also get a 'roaming pack' with 300 minutes, and 300 texts included for 30 NZD¹¹. Roaming services generally aren’t cheap. Be careful about racking up costs quickly.

An alternative option is to purchase an eSIM before you fly from providers such as SimCorner, Nomad, and eSIM Hong Kong. Depending on the length of your stay, you might find these a bit more convenient and affordable.

There are also local prepaid SIM cards, which might offer better coverage and speeds. You can purchase a local SIM at a 7-Eleven convenience store and other locations around the busy urban centre.

Travel Insurance for Hong Kong

You should also take out comprehensive insurance to cover every eventuality during your stay in Hong Kong. The right policy will cover medical emergencies, lost baggage, flight cancellations, and more.

Check out our best travel insurance in New Zealand guide to find some of the best packages available today.

Managing Your Finances in Hong Kong

Hong Kong is a finance and tech hub. It’s very forward-thinking when it comes to digital payments and e-wallets, but that doesn’t mean cash is irrelevant just yet.

Cash Considerations

Cards and e-wallets make up roughly 75% of payments in Hong Kong¹⁴. Many locals still use cash, though. The local currency is the Hong Kong dollar (HKD). You can pay with cash in most places, including convenience stores, coffee shops, restaurants, local markets, and even Disneyland.

While notes and coins will be useful, be careful when converting large amounts of currency as the rates can put a dent in your budget. We recommend buying some HKD before you leave. You can top up your finances at major banks, currency exchange services, and ATMs. For some helpful tips, check out our guide to avoiding foreign ATM fees when traveling abroad 📹.

Hong Kong is a safe place but don’t flash large amounts of cash in public. Try to use smaller denominations when visiting street vendors and small shops. You should also keep your money in a hidden belt or pouch.

Using Your NZD Debit/Credit Cards in Hong Kong

Both Apple Pay and Google Wallet are available in Hong Kong so you can make contactless payments with ease^12,13.

Your NZD cards will work in Hong Kong. Most vendors accept card payments. However, your bank will charge a foreign transaction fee and card networks such as Visa will add a markup to the exchange rate when converting back to NZD.

Using a multi-currency travel card such as Wise is an excellent alternative with transparent exchange rates and low fees. Available for residents of New Zealand and supported countries, Wise offers the mid-market rate on currency conversions, which is the usually the same rate you see on Google, ensuring that you don’t lose money to extra fees or hidden mark-ups.

Save on Hong Kong Transactions and Swipe like a local with Wise

Wise offers a convenient travel card and money transfer services that make managing your finances abroad a breeze. The Wise card lets you spend like a local in over 150+ destinations - including Hong Kong.

Get started with Wise 🚀

Here's why Wise is a great choice for your international travels:

• Excellent exchange rates: Always get the mid-market exchange rate – the same one you usually see on Google – so you get the most out of your money.
• Low, transparent fees: Say goodbye to hidden charges and hefty markups. Wise keeps its fees low and transparent, so you know exactly what you're paying.
• Convenient card and app: Use your Wise card to swipe like a local in supported countries. Manage your money, track spending, and even freeze your card if needed, all through the Wise app.
• Cash withdrawals: Easily withdraw cash from supported ATMs abroad with low, transparent fees. But be mindful that ATM providers may charge their own cash withdrawal fees.
• International transfers: Send money abroad with the same mid-market exchange rates and low fees.

Please see 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.

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Sources:

1. Number of Visitor Arrivals from Australia, New Zealand, and South Pacific to Hong Kong
2. Notice Regarding Answers to FAQs
3. Hong Kong Immigration Information - Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office, Sydney
4. Visa Requirements for Non-Residents
5. Services - Immigration Department
6. Admission Schemes for Talent, Professionals, and Entrepreneurs
7. Visit Visa/Entry Permit Requirements
8. Red and Green Channel System
9. Prohibited and Controlled Items
10. Duty Free Concessions
11. International Roaming - Spark Mobile Plans
12. Locate a Family Member in a Crisis
13. Pay in Store with Google Pay
14. Preferred Payment Methods in Hong Kong