Travelling overseas

Before heading overseas you’ll need to consider visas, immunisations, money, cybersecurity, how you’ll stay connected, and what to do if things go wrong.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade's SafeTravel website has official advice for Kiwis living or travelling overseas. You can also register your trip intentions so that the New Zealand Government knows you are overseas, as well as how to contact you and provide any concierge services needed while you’re away.

The University will always be guided by the Ministry's travel advisories, of which there are four categories:

  • exercise normal safety and security precautions
  • exercise increased caution
  • avoid non-essential travel
  • do not travel.

Preparing for your trip

Visas and immigration

Check with the embassies and consulates of countries you plan to visit to ensure you'll be able to enter and whether you require a visa. Do this well in advance of your trip. Visas can take time to process and urgent processing usually incurs an extra fee.

You may also want to check with Customs for each country as to whether any items are prohibited or restricted on entry. Do not expect to get back any items that are confiscated at a border crossing.

Health and immunisations

New Zealand is free from many diseases found overseas such as rabies, malaria and typhoid. Healthcare overseas may be expensive and advanced care may be unavailable.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention identifies known health risks for countries, and vaccinations that you may wish to consider before travelling.

Talk to your doctor before heading overseas about vaccinations that you might consider. You should do this 2-3 months before you depart so that vaccinations have time to take effect.

Consider taking out travel insurance that includes health and hospital care should you need these while you’re away.

Money

Your bank can provide information about the best way to manage transactions safely while travelling overseas.

Be aware that petty crime like pickpocketing in busy areas may be far more common than it is in New Zealand. If possible, store your valuables securely where you are staying while you’re out and about.

Stay connected

There are many social messaging services to help stay in touch with friends and whānau while you are away.

Consider buying an electronic (eSIM) card for your phone. An eSIM does not need to be physically inserted into your phone, and you will be able to connect to local mobile services, saving you from hefty data bills while you’re away.

Cybersecurity

Make sure you enable two-factor or Multi Factor Authentication (MFA) on your devices and accounts.

  • Update your MFA to use the Microsoft Authenticator App instead of the text service. The app will continue to work on your device regardless of what SIM card you use, so long as you have a network connection.
  • Leave your USB devices at home as they are easily lost, stolen or corrupted. If you do take a USB device, be sure that it is encrypted.
  • Backup any data and software before leaving. If your devices are lost, stolen, confiscated, or compromised, a backup may be your only option for recovery.

Find out more about Cybersecurity basics.

While you are away

What to do if things go wrong

Unfortunately, things can and do go wrong when you are travelling overseas. SafeTravel has advice about what to do if an emergency or disaster occurs while you are away or find yourself in the following situations:

  • arrested or jailed
  • sick or injured
  • someone goes missing
  • lost passport or belongings
  • somebody dies
  • victim of crime.

Cybersecurity

  • Always keep your devices with you while travelling. If you become separated from your equipment, there is a possibility that it has been compromised. Equipment that is confiscated or inspected by any foreign authority should be considered compromised.
  • Power off your devices before you arrive at the border to help guard against various high-tech attacks.
  • Disable broadcast services like Wi-Fi access points, Bluetooth devices, and GPS when not needed.
  • Use private browsing whenever possible.
  • Use a VPN on any public network whenever possible, including in hostels, airports and cafes.
  • Avoid public computers. Anything that you enter into the system—IDs, passwords, data—may be captured and used, so limit your activity to the devices that you bring.
  • Don’t connect to unknown Wi-Fi access points and Bluetooth devices, which may be insecure.

When you return

  • Consider changing any and all passwords you may have used abroad. Regardless of whether you used them on your device or a public computer, they may be compromised.
  • Run full antivirus scans on your devices.
  • Check your statements. If you used a credit or debit card while travelling, check your monthly statements for any discrepancies for at least one year after you return.
  • Delete unneeded apps. If you downloaded any apps specifically for your trip and no longer need them, be sure to delete them and the associated data.