{"id":99673,"date":"2026-10-22T17:10:10","date_gmt":"2026-10-22T17:10:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/cargoholidays.com\/moving-to-new-zealand-from-uk"},"modified":"2026-10-22T20:01:00","modified_gmt":"2026-10-22T20:01:00","slug":"moving-to-new-zealand-from-uk","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/cargoholidays.com\/it\/moving-to-new-zealand-from-uk","title":{"rendered":"Moving to New Zealand from the UK: Visas, Costs &#038; Shipping (2026 Guide)"},"content":{"rendered":"<head><script type=\"application\/ld+json\">{\n    \"@context\": \"https:\\\/\\\/schema.org\",\n    \"@graph\": [\n        {\n            \"@type\": \"BlogPosting\",\n            \"headline\": \"Moving to New Zealand from the UK: Visas, Costs & Shipping (2026 Guide)\",\n            \"description\": \"Moving to New Zealand from the UK in 2026: visa options, costs, shipping your belongings, biosecurity rules, pets and how to arrive by sea.\",\n            \"mainEntityOfPage\": \"https:\\\/\\\/cargoholidays.com\\\/moving-to-new-zealand-from-uk\",\n            \"image\": \"https:\\\/\\\/cargoholidays.com\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2021\\\/09\\\/AdobeStock_299033911-1024x575.jpeg\",\n            \"datePublished\": \"2026-10-22\",\n            \"dateModified\": \"2026-10-22\",\n            \"inLanguage\": \"en-GB\",\n            \"author\": {\n                \"@type\": \"Organization\",\n                \"name\": \"CargoHolidays\"\n            },\n            \"publisher\": {\n                \"@type\": \"Organization\",\n                \"name\": \"CargoHolidays\",\n                \"url\": \"https:\\\/\\\/cargoholidays.com\"\n            }\n        },\n        {\n            \"@type\": \"FAQPage\",\n            \"mainEntity\": [\n                {\n                    \"@type\": \"Question\",\n                    \"name\": \"How much does it cost to move to New Zealand from the UK?\",\n                    \"acceptedAnswer\": {\n                        \"@type\": \"Answer\",\n                        \"text\": \"A family shipping a container should usually budget &pound;12,000&ndash;&pound;30,000 in total, including visas, shipping, travel and set-up costs.\"\n                    }\n                },\n                {\n                    \"@type\": \"Question\",\n                    \"name\": \"How long does shipping to New Zealand take?\",\n                    \"acceptedAnswer\": {\n                        \"@type\": \"Answer\",\n                        \"text\": \"Around 6&ndash;8 weeks at sea, and 10&ndash;14 weeks door to door.\"\n                    }\n                },\n                {\n                    \"@type\": \"Question\",\n                    \"name\": \"Can I move to New Zealand over 30?\",\n                    \"acceptedAnswer\": {\n                        \"@type\": \"Answer\",\n                        \"text\": \"Yes. Skilled migrant and employer routes are open to people over 30. Only the working holiday visa has an upper age limit of 35 for UK citizens.\"\n                    }\n                },\n                {\n                    \"@type\": \"Question\",\n                    \"name\": \"Can I take my dog to New Zealand?\",\n                    \"acceptedAnswer\": {\n                        \"@type\": \"Answer\",\n                        \"text\": \"Yes, with an import permit, health tests and at least 10 days in quarantine. Pets must fly.\"\n                    }\n                },\n                {\n                    \"@type\": \"Question\",\n                    \"name\": \"Can I sail from the UK to New Zealand?\",\n                    \"acceptedAnswer\": {\n                        \"@type\": \"Answer\",\n                        \"text\": \"Yes, on some container ships or world cruise segments. The voyage usually takes six weeks or more.\"\n                    }\n                }\n            ]\n        }\n    ]\n}<\/script>\n<\/head><div class=\"ch-post\"><p class=\"ch-updated\">Ultimo aggiornamento: 22 ottobre 2026<\/p><p><strong>New Zealand is about as far from the UK as you can go, and that is exactly why so many Britons dream of moving there.<\/strong> Clean air, a relaxed pace of life, and mountains and beaches within a short drive make it an easy country to fall for. Getting there takes planning, from choosing the right visa to shipping your life halfway round the world.<\/p><h2>Visa options for UK citizens<\/h2><div class=\"ch-table\"><table><thead><tr><th>Visto<\/th><th>A chi \u00e8 adatto<\/th><th>Punti chiave<\/th><\/tr><\/thead><tbody><tr><td>Working Holiday<\/td><td>Et\u00e0 compresa tra i 18 e i 35 anni<\/td><td>UK citizens can stay up to 3 years<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Skilled Migrant Category<\/td><td>Skilled workers<\/td><td>Points-based residence visa<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Accredited Employer Work Visa<\/td><td>People with a job offer from an accredited employer<\/td><td>Temporary, with routes to residence<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Green List Straight to Residence<\/td><td>Roles on the Green List<\/td><td>Fast route for in-demand occupations<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Visti per i partner<\/td><td>Partners of New Zealand citizens or residents<\/td><td>Based on your relationship<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Visti per i genitori<\/td><td>Parents of NZ citizens or residents<\/td><td>Limited places and long waits<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/div><p>Moving to New Zealand from the UK over 30 rules out the working holiday visa after 35, but the skilled and employer routes have no fixed upper age limit for most applicants. Check Immigration New Zealand&rsquo;s website for current requirements, fees and the Green List.<\/p><figure style=\"margin:1.6em 0\"><img src=\"https:\/\/cargoholidays.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/AdobeStock_299033911-1024x575.jpeg\" alt=\"Container ship on the open ocean\" width=\"1024\" height=\"575\" loading=\"lazy\" style=\"width:100%;height:auto;border-radius:12px;display:block\" title=\"Container ship on the open ocean\"><figcaption style=\"font-size:.85em;color:#6b7280;margin-top:.45em;text-align:center\">Shipments to New Zealand spend around 6&ndash;8 weeks at sea.<\/figcaption><\/figure><h2>How much does it cost to move to New Zealand?<\/h2><ul><li><strong>Visa fees:<\/strong> vary widely by category<\/li><li><strong>Medicals and police certificates:<\/strong> required for most residence visas<\/li><li><strong>Shipping a 20ft container:<\/strong> typically &pound;6,000&ndash;&pound;10,000 door to door<\/li><li><strong>Car shipping:<\/strong> often &pound;2,500&ndash;&pound;4,500<\/li><li><strong>Pets:<\/strong> &pound;3,000&ndash;&pound;6,000 per animal, including flights and quarantine<\/li><li><strong>Flights:<\/strong> around &pound;700&ndash;&pound;1,500 one way<\/li><li><strong>Set-up:<\/strong> rental bond (up to four weeks&rsquo; rent), a car and furniture<\/li><\/ul><h2>Shipping your belongings<\/h2><p>UK containers usually sail from Felixstowe, Southampton or London Gateway to Auckland, Tauranga, Wellington, Lyttelton (Christchurch) or Port Chalmers (Dunedin). Some services go via Asia and others via the Panama Canal.<\/p><ul><li><strong>Sea time:<\/strong> around 6&ndash;8 weeks<\/li><li><strong>Door to door:<\/strong> typically 10&ndash;14 weeks<\/li><li><strong>Biosecurity:<\/strong> New Zealand&rsquo;s Ministry for Primary Industries inspects all household goods. Clean everything that has touched soil, including bikes, tents, boots, prams and garden furniture. Declare wooden items and avoid packing food.<\/li><li><strong>Duty:<\/strong> used personal effects are usually duty-free for new residents. Check the New Zealand Customs Service rules.<\/li><\/ul><p>See our <a href=\"https:\/\/cargoholidays.com\/it\/international-removals-from-uk\/\">international removals guide<\/a> for how to compare quotes.<\/p><h2>Bringing pets<\/h2><p>Cats and dogs from the UK can enter New Zealand with an import permit, microchip, rabies vaccination, blood tests and a minimum 10 days in an approved quarantine facility. They must travel by air. Allow at least 6 months for the paperwork.<\/p><figure style=\"margin:1.6em 0\"><img src=\"https:\/\/cargoholidays.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/AdobeStock_251096093-1024x575.jpeg\" alt=\"Cargo ship arriving at port\" width=\"1024\" height=\"575\" loading=\"lazy\" style=\"width:100%;height:auto;border-radius:12px;display:block\" title=\"Cargo ship arriving at port\"><figcaption style=\"font-size:.85em;color:#6b7280;margin-top:.45em;text-align:center\">Auckland, Tauranga, Wellington, Lyttelton and Port Chalmers all receive UK containers.<\/figcaption><\/figure><h2>Where to live<\/h2><ul><li><strong>Auckland:<\/strong> the largest city and job market, with the highest house prices<\/li><li><strong>Wellington:<\/strong> the compact capital, with government, film and tech jobs<\/li><li><strong>Christchurch:<\/strong> rebuilt and growing, with easy access to the Southern Alps<\/li><li><strong>Tauranga and Bay of Plenty:<\/strong> sunshine, beaches and a popular retirement spot<\/li><li><strong>Queenstown:<\/strong> stunning, but expensive and tourism-dependent<\/li><\/ul><h2>Getting there by sea<\/h2><p>There is no passenger liner from the UK to New Zealand. Your options are a world cruise segment or a cabin on a container ship. Freighters usually take six weeks or more, and some go via Australia. Read our <a href=\"https:\/\/cargoholidays.com\/it\/cargo-ship-to-new-zealand\/\">cargo ship to New Zealand guide<\/a>.<\/p><h2>Moving to New Zealand checklist<\/h2><ul><li>Confirm your visa route and check the Green List<\/li><li>Get your qualifications assessed if needed<\/li><li>Book a removals survey 3 months ahead<\/li><li>Start pet import paperwork 6+ months ahead<\/li><li>Clean all outdoor items for biosecurity<\/li><li>On arrival: apply for an IRD number, open a bank account and register with a GP<\/li><\/ul><h2>Domande frequenti<\/h2><div class=\"ch-faq\"><h3>How much does it cost to move to New Zealand from the UK?<\/h3><p>A family shipping a container should usually budget &pound;12,000&ndash;&pound;30,000 in total, including visas, shipping, travel and set-up costs.<\/p><h3>How long does shipping to New Zealand take?<\/h3><p>Around 6&ndash;8 weeks at sea, and 10&ndash;14 weeks door to door.<\/p><h3>Can I move to New Zealand over 30?<\/h3><p>Yes. Skilled migrant and employer routes are open to people over 30. Only the working holiday visa has an upper age limit of 35 for UK citizens.<\/p><h3>Can I take my dog to New Zealand?<\/h3><p>Yes, with an import permit, health tests and at least 10 days in quarantine. Pets must fly.<\/p><h3>Can I sail from the UK to New Zealand?<\/h3><p>Yes, on some container ships or world cruise segments. The voyage usually takes six weeks or more.<\/p><\/div><div class=\"ch-cta\"><strong>Sail to New Zealand<\/strong><p>Tell us your dates and we&rsquo;ll check cargo ships with passenger cabins to New Zealand.<\/p><a class=\"ch-btn\" href=\"https:\/\/cargoholidays.com\/it\/enquire-for-a-cargo-cruise\/\">Ask about NZ voyages &rarr;<\/a><\/div><\/div>\n<style>\n.ch-post{font-family:inherit;line-height:1.7;color:#1f2937;max-width:820px;margin:0 auto}\n.ch-post h2{font-size:1.6em;margin:1.8em 0 .6em;color:#0b2545;border-bottom:3px solid #f5a623;padding-bottom:.25em}\n.ch-post h3{font-size:1.15em;margin:1.4em 0 .3em;color:#0b2545}\n.ch-post p{margin:0 0 1em}\n.ch-post ul,.ch-post ol{margin:0 0 1.2em 1.3em}\n.ch-post li{margin:.35em 0}\n.ch-post .ch-updated{font-size:.9em;color:#6b7280;margin-bottom:1.2em}\n.ch-post .ch-table{overflow-x:auto;margin:1.2em 0 1.6em}\n.ch-post table{border-collapse:collapse;width:100%;font-size:.95em}\n.ch-post th{background:#0b2545;color:#fff;text-align:left;padding:.65em .8em}\n.ch-post td{padding:.6em .8em;border-bottom:1px solid #e5e7eb;vertical-align:top}\n.ch-post tr:nth-child(even) td{background:#f6f8fb}\n.ch-post .ch-faq{background:#f6f8fb;border-radius:12px;padding:1em 1.4em;margin:1em 0 2em}\n.ch-post .ch-faq h3{margin-top:1em}\n.ch-post .ch-cta{background:linear-gradient(135deg,#0b2545,#13315c);color:#fff;border-radius:14px;padding:1.6em 1.8em;margin:2.2em 0;text-align:center}\n.ch-post .ch-cta strong{display:block;font-size:1.35em;margin-bottom:.4em;color:#fff}\n.ch-post .ch-cta p{color:#dbe4f0;margin:.2em 0 1.1em}\n.ch-post .ch-btn{display:inline-block;background:#f5a623;color:#0b2545 !important;font-weight:700;text-decoration:none;padding:.8em 1.6em;border-radius:999px}\n.ch-post .ch-btn:hover{background:#ffbb45}\n.ch-post em{color:#4b5563}\n<\/style>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Moving to New Zealand from the UK in 2026: visa options, costs, shipping your belongings, biosecurity rules, pets and how to arrive by sea.<\/p>","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":99790,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"single3.php","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[1027,1019,1021],"tags":[1514,1510,1521,1522,1523],"yst_prominent_words":[],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/cargoholidays.com\/it\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/99673"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/cargoholidays.com\/it\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/cargoholidays.com\/it\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cargoholidays.com\/it\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cargoholidays.com\/it\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=99673"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/cargoholidays.com\/it\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/99673\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":99721,"href":"https:\/\/cargoholidays.com\/it\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/99673\/revisions\/99721"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cargoholidays.com\/it\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/99790"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/cargoholidays.com\/it\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=99673"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cargoholidays.com\/it\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=99673"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cargoholidays.com\/it\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=99673"},{"taxonomy":"yst_prominent_words","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cargoholidays.com\/it\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/yst_prominent_words?post=99673"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}