Summarised by Centrist
New Zealand has not imposed visa restrictions on IDF soldiers or reservists, despite claims in Israeli media that military service in Gaza led to visa denials.
Immigration New Zealand (INZ) clarified that Israelis, like all applicants, must meet immigration criteria, but military service alone does not serve as grounds for rejection.
INZ explained that visa applications were declined due to failure to meet standard requirements, such as demonstrating ties to their home country or providing clear travel plans. Since Israel is a visa-waiver country, short-term visitors need only complete an electronic declaration.
Of the 944 visa applications from Israeli nationals submitted since October 7, 809 were approved, 37 were declined, and the rest are pending or withdrawn. For Palestinians, 259 applied, resulting in 77 approvals and 53 rejections.
Activists from the Palestine Solidarity Network Aotearoa (PSNA) are advocating for a full visa ban on IDF soldiers, likening the situation to Russian troops in Ukraine.
The group has even established a hotline to monitor Israeli military personnel entering the country. Additionally, New Zealand’s Human Rights Commission has received complaints about the visa-waiver policy that permits IDF soldiers to visit.
Foreign Minister Winston Peters took to X to dismiss US Senator Ted Cruz’s claim that New Zealand denies visitor visas to Israelis over military service as “fake news,” stating that Israelis do not require visas to visit.
Image: JD Lasica
