New Zealand opens its borders to students and travelers: everything you need to know is here.

After over 700 days of living under strict COVID-19 lockdowns, New Zealanders can finally travel overseas again. The country’s phased reopening was completed on July 31, months ahead of schedule, which means that students, tourists, and other visitors from all over the world will be allowed to enter New Zealand. This is especially great news for those coming from non-visa waiver countries like India and China.

“It’s been a staged and cautious process on our part since February, as we, alongside the rest of the world, continue to manage a very live global pandemic while keeping our people safe,” said Prime Minister Jacinda Arden.

“For those looking to make their journey here, haere mai, we welcome you,” she added.

Visitors from all over the world will be able to enjoy the beauty of New Zealand. International students, tourists, and nationals from non-visa waiver countries will all be welcome. Those traveling by cruise ship or maritime travel will also be able to take part in all that the country has to offer.

The open border policy went into effect on August 1. This means that as long as individuals meet the entry requirements, which are still quite strict, they are allowed to enter New Zealand.

The country’s opening of its borders comes as it is seeing a rise in infections. New Zealand has had more than 52,000 COVID-19 cases in the past week. The country is one of seven countries in the world regarding average daily confirmed COVID-19 infections per 100,000 people, according to Johns Hopkins University data. 

Scientists from the University of Auckland also recently put out a study that said reopening borders could lead to COVID-19 cases becoming more widespread as foreign cases of the pandemic puts extra pressure on local healthcare systems.