Travellers Urged To Check New UK Passport Rules And Insurance

The Insurance & Financial Services Ombudsman Scheme (IFSO Scheme) is urging New Zealanders to doublecheck their passport and visa requirements ahead of new UK entry rules. Karen Stevens, Insurance & Financial Services Ombudsman, says travellers caught out by updated UK passport requirements are unlikely to be covered by their travel insurance if they don’t have the correct travel documentation.

“Travel insurance usually won’t cover situations where a traveller doesn’t meet passport or visa requirements and can’t travel. We commonly see travel insurance claims declined because of this. 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,” says Stevens.

From 25 February, British and Irish dual citizens travelling to the United Kingdom or Ireland need to use a British or Irish passport, rather than their New Zealand passport. Until now, they’ve been able to visit on a New Zealand passport, meaning some have scrambled to apply for a British passport in time for their travel.

Another recent requirement is that, from 8 January 2025, New Zealanders visiting the UK without a visa or immigration status need to get a UK Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) before flying. A similar system, ETIAS, will be required from next year onwards for New Zealanders travelling to the EU.

“These are new, unfamiliar requirements, and it’s understandable travellers may not be aware of them,” Stevens says.

“Airlines won’t generally make their customers aware of entry and passport requirements, it really is the responsibility of the traveller to make sure they know what they need.”

Stevens says her advice for travellers is to carefully check what the current requirements are, well ahead of time.

“With these new requirements, it’s really important to take the time to confirm what you need before you go, and to allow enough time to get the 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,” says Stevens.

The IFSO Scheme resolves complaints about insurance and financial services, and its service is free for consumers. Consumers can make a complaint to the IFSO Scheme at www.ifso.nz or by calling 0800 888 202.

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