Plain language law

New Zealand law explained for everyone

Immigration Act 2009

Arrivals and departures - Advance passenger processing

100: Collection of biometric information from proposed arrivals

You could also call this:

“Collecting fingerprints or photos from people wanting to enter New Zealand”

If you want to travel to New Zealand, you need to let the authorities collect your biometric information. This means they might take things like your fingerprints or a photo of your face. You have to do this before you get on the plane or ship.

You don’t have to give this information if the rules say you don’t have to. These rules are explained in section 400(l).

If you refuse to give your biometric information, the person in charge might not let you get on the plane or ship. Or they might say you can only travel if you follow certain rules.

Some people don’t need to give biometric information. You don’t need to if you have a New Zealand passport. You also don’t need to if you have a foreign passport with a special stamp described in section 384. Lastly, you don’t need to if you have a foreign passport with a returning resident’s visa, which is explained in section 2(1) of an older law.

This text is automatically generated. It might be out of date or be missing some parts. Find out more about how we do this.

View the original legislation for this page at https://legislation.govt.nz/act/public/1986/0120/latest/link.aspx?id=DLM1440732.

Topics:
Immigration and citizenship > Visas
Immigration and citizenship > Border control
Rights and equality > Privacy
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“New Zealand citizens can choose to confirm their citizenship before boarding a flight to New Zealand”

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101: Obligations in relation to craft en route to or arriving in New Zealand, or

“Rules for bringing people into New Zealand by air or sea”

Part 4 Arrivals and departures
Advance passenger processing

100Collection of biometric information from proposed arrivals

  1. A person who is proposing to board a craft for the purposes of travelling to New Zealand must allow biometric information to be collected from him or her.

  2. The requirement in subsection (1) does not apply if the person is exempt from providing the information in accordance with regulations made under section 400(l).

  3. If the person fails to allow the biometric information to be collected, the chief executive may decide that the person—

  4. may not board the craft; or
    1. may board the craft only if the person complies with conditions specified by the chief executive.

      1. Nothing in this section applies to a person who, before boarding the craft, holds and produces—

      2. a New Zealand passport; or
        1. a foreign passport containing an endorsement of a type described in section 384; or
          1. a foreign passport containing a returning resident's visa (within the meaning of section 2(1) of the former Act).

            Notes
            • Section 100: not yet in force.