Foreign travel advice

Cook Islands, Tokelau and Niue

Entry requirements

This advice reflects the UK government’s understanding of current rules for people travelling on a full ‘British citizen’ passport from the UK, for the most common types of travel.

The authorities in the Cook Islands, Tokelau and Niue set and enforce entry rules. If you’re not sure how these requirements apply to you, contact the New Zealand High Commission in the UK.

The Cook Islands and Niue are self-governing countries in free association with New Zealand. Tokelau is a non-self-governing territory of New Zealand.

COVID-19 rules

There are no COVID-19 testing or vaccination requirements for travellers entering the Cook Islands, Tokelau or Niue.

Passport validity requirements

Check with your travel provider that your passport and other travel documents meet requirements. Renew your passport if you need to.

You will be denied entry if you do not have a valid travel document or try to use a passport that has been reported lost or stolen.

Cook Islands 

Your passport must have an ‘expiry date’ at least 6 months after the date you plan to leave the Cook Islands and have at least 2 blank pages.

Tokelau

To enter Tokelau, your passport must meet the validity requirements for travel to Samoa – see travel advice for Samoa. All travel to Tokelau is by ship from Apia, Samoa. You can email the Tokelau Apia Liaison Office: contact@tokelaunso.tk

Niue

Your passport must have an ‘expiry date’ at least 3 months after the date you plan to leave the Cook Islands and have at least 2 blank pages.

Visa requirements

Cook Islands 

You can visit the Cook Islands without a visa for up to 31 days. If you’re staying longer, you may need a visa or entry on arrival permit. See visitor information from the Cook Islands government. You can get monthly Cook Islands visa extensions for a total stay of 5 months. You must apply at least 2 weeks before your visa or permit expires.

Tokelau

To visit Tokelau, you must get permission from the Tokelau council (‘Taupulega’) before you travel and buy boat tickets from the Tokelau office in Samoa. See visitor information from the Tokelau government and travel advice for Samoa. 

Niue

You can visit Niue without a visa for up to 30 days. If you’re staying longer, you may need visa. Email Niue’s immigration department for information: immigration.niue@mail.gov.nu  

Sea travel from the Cook Islands

If you plan to join a tourist boat, yacht or other sea-going vessel to travel from the Cook Islands, you must apply for permission to enter from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Immigration.

Checks at border control

To enter the Cook Islands or Niue, you must have:

  • a ticket for onward or return travel
  • a visa for the next country you’re travelling to
  • proof of accommodation during your stay in the Cook Islands or Niue

To enter Tokelau, contact the Tokelau government office for their requirements.

Vaccine requirements

To enter Niue, you must have a certificate to prove you’ve had a yellow fever vaccination if you’re coming from a country listed as a transmission risk.

For full details about medical entry requirements and recommended vaccinations, see TravelHealthPro’s Cook Islands, Tokelau and Niue guide.

Customs rules

There are strict rules about goods you can take into or out of:

You must declare anything that may be prohibited or subject to tax or duty.

Taking money into Cook Islands, Tokelau and Niue

You must declare any currency if the value is 10,000 New Zealand dollars or more.

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