Overseas business travel: what you need to know

Wanting to head overseas for business purposes? Orbit Travel’s Brendan Drury provides a heads up on the very latest requirements for international business travel.

The border has finally opened and the whole world is back for New Zealand Passport Holders and New Zealand Residents.  There has also been great news from an outbound travel point of view.  Not only are there self-isolation changes, but very importantly we understand that MFAT is moving to remove the blanket ‘do not travel’ which means most insurance companies will have significant cover for Covid-19.

So, what do you need to know about international business travel? First, always book via travel agent leisure or business.

Travel has altered significantly since 2020, with requirements and restrictions changing almost daily.  Requirements for international flights and entry to foreign countries can be complicated and often changes.  Having a reliable tool like Orbit Travel Check that provides up to date information is paramount. Orbit Travel Check is integrated with the International Air Transport Association’s (IATA) Timatic data, providing customers with instant access to all the information needed to ensure travellers are ready to fly, no matter where in the world they are going, what their citizenship is or how often the rules change. Relied on by airlines and industry bodies globally, Timatic is updated daily from over 2,000 official sources, ensuring an unrivalled level of accuracy.  Users have quick access to real time Visa and Document checks, as well as Health, Quarantine and Covid19 requirements.   Orbit Travel Check using IATA’s Timatic data gives the most accurate and up-to-date information available to prepare you for your trip.

Before you depart – the checklist has expanded. 

Many countries have introduced a health declaration form to be completed pre-departure, for example,  Australian Digital Passenger Declaration (DPD). Orbit Travel Check provides a direct link to these forms.

Covid tests and vaccination certificates must be recorded.  IATA have developed an app which is currently used by more than 70 airlines and increasing. The IATA Travel Pass app helps travellers store and manage Covid-19 health credentials securely on a mobile device and share their travel status to speed up check at the airport.  Travellers can upload their verified certifications for Covid -19 tests and Covid-19 vaccinations including NZs International Covid-19 Vaccination Certificate ( the New Zealand Domestic ‘My Vaccine Pass’ is not accepted as proof for International travel).

IATA travel pass also provides a global registry of health requirements which enables passengers to find accurate information on travel, testing and vaccination requirements for their journey, and a global registry of testing / vaccination centres which enables passengers to find testing centres and labs at their departure location.

Travel insurance is still as important as ever.  It is imperative to understand prior to your departure specifically what cover is provided and what to do in the event of needing to utilize the insurance whilst travelling. If you require to purchase Insurance for your trip, the Orbit/House of Travel insurance policy covers you if you unexpectantly get sick with Covid before you travel or while you are away. Please check with your consultants for further details.

Arriving back into New Zealand  the New Zealand Government requires all travellers eligible for the self-isolation and no-isolation arrival pathways, to complete the Nau Mai Rā form. Completion of the form accurately before arrival will ensure a smooth arrival and will avoid delays into New Zealand.

We also recommend that all travellers arriving into New Zealand refer to the Unite Against Covid-19 website prior to departure for the most accurate information. It is an ever-changing environment.

Each destination has different requirements, but in summary what you need to know about international business travel is:

Passport –  i) is it valid

                    ii) is there enough validity for the Countries being visited

Travel Visa’s – are any visa’s required to enter Countries visited

Health declaration forms – what pre-departure forms need to be completed

IATA Travel Pass App   – downloaded via your usual app store

International Covid-19 Vaccination Certificate – downloaded and added to IATA Travel Pass App (New Zealand Domestic ‘My Vaccine Pass’ is not accepted as proof for International travel)

Covid-19 requirements – testing and vaccination requirements for each country and/or State (e.g., Victoria, Australia) being visited or transited.

Pre-departure testing – what is required by the country and/or State (e.g., Victoria, Australia) being visited or transited

Quarantine requirements for each destination including transits  

Travel insurance – understand cover provided for trip and what to do in the event of utilizing whilst travelling. 

Government responses, entry regulations, visa validity, and quarantine rules may change at any time during this dynamic situation, which may also effect on any current immigration process to destination countries.   Guidance given by Orbit World Travel and House of travel is done so based on the most current information and is subject to change without notice.