Post Study Work Visa
Apply for this visa if you want to work in New Zealand soon after you have completed your studies here. It allows you to stay and work in New Zealand for up to 3 years, depending on what you studied.
-
Length of stay
Up to
3 years
-
Cost
From
NZD $1670
-
Processing time
80% within
4 weeks
-
Residency option
Can lead to a residence visa
Yes
To apply you must:
- have recently finished studying in New Zealand for an approved qualification
- apply no later than 3, 6 or 12 months after your student visa expires, depending on what you studied and what visa you had
- have at least NZD $5,000 to pay your living expenses
- meet the other requirements of this visa.
This visa lets you:
- stay and work in New Zealand for up to 3 years depending on your study
- work for any employer in any job if you have a degree level 7 or higher qualification
- work for an employer in a job that meets our requirements if you have a non-degree level 7 or lower qualification
- support visas for your partner and dependent children — your partner can apply for a work visa and your children can apply for student visas to study as
in New Zealand.
You can only have this visa once.
If you applied for your Student Visa on or before 11 May 2022 you may be eligible for a Post Study Work Visa that lets you work for any employer, even if your qualification is not on the list of qualifications eligible for a Post Study Work Visa. You must have an acceptable qualification.
You can apply for a Post Study Work Visa if you have completed: Alert If you applied for your student visa before 12 May 2022, and your qualification is not on the list of qualifications eligible for a Post Study Work Visa, you may still be able to apply for a Post Study Work Visa, but you will need to have an
You can find more information about the New Zealand Qualifications and Credentials Framework levels on the New Zealand Qualifications Authority website. About the New Zealand Qualifications and Credentials Framework (NZQCF) If you applied for your student visa before 12 May 2022 and your qualification is not on the list of Qualifications Eligible for a Post Study Work Visa, you may still be eligible for a Post Study Work Visa, but you will need to have an
For your qualification to be acceptable: About the New Zealand Qualifications and Credentials Framework (NZQCF) - NZQA website Your qualification at level 7 or higher is acceptable if your course lasted 30 weeks or more. Your Level 4, 5 or 6 qualification is acceptable if you: Note You may also be eligible for a Post Study Work Visa if you have completed an acceptable qualification, as stated above, on a student visa that you held, or had applied for, on 08 August 2018. English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) qualifications are not acceptable. You can find more information about the New Zealand Qualifications and Credentials Framework levels on the New Zealand Qualifications Authority website. About the New Zealand Qualifications and Credentials Framework (NZQCF) - NZQA website
Qualifications needed for a Post Study Work Visa
Check what qualifications you need to have recently completed in New Zealand to apply for a Post Study Work Visa. This could depend on when you applied for your student visa.
Who can apply for a Post Study Work Visa
Qualification
Knowledge requirements (focus area)
Related jobs
A Graduate Diploma at NZQF Level 7
Highway engineering or civil engineering
Construction Project Manager
A Graduate Diploma at NZQF Level 7
Construction management or construction project management
Construction Project Manager or Project Builder
A Graduate Diploma at NZQF Level 7
Construction
Project Builder
A Graduate Diploma in Construction at NZQF Level 7
Quantity Surveying
Quantity Surveyor
A Graduate Diploma in Quantity Surveying at NZQF Level 7
not applicable (N/A)
Quantity Surveyor
A Graduate Diploma acceptable to the Teaching Council of Aotearoa New Zealand for registration
and
The applicant meets all the Council’s other requirements for teacher registration and certification.
Registration and Certification — Teaching Council of Aotearoa New ZealandN/A
Primary, Intermediate or Secondary School Teacher
Graduate Diploma in Teaching (Early Childhood Education) or comparable qualification that is acceptable to the Teaching Council of Aotearoa New Zealand for registration.
and
The applicant meets all the Council’s other requirements for teacher registration and certification.
Registration and Certification — Teaching Council of Aotearoa New ZealandN/A
Early Childhood Teacher
A qualification at NZQF Level 7, with a letter from Engineering New Zealand certifying that the qualification and any further learning meet the benchmark requirements towards Chartered Professional Engineer professional status in New Zealand.
N/A
Engineer or Civil, Electrical, Electronic, Mechanical Engineering Technician
A Diploma at NZQF Level 6 or higher with a minimum of 240 credits
Highway engineering, construction or construction management
Construction Project Manager or Project Builder
A Diploma at NZQF Level 6 or higher with a minimum of 240 credits
Civil engineering
Construction Project Manager or Civil Engineering Technician
New Zealand Diploma in Engineering (Level 6) with a strand in Civil Engineering, 240 credits
N/A
Construction Project Manager or Civil Engineering Technician
New Zealand Diploma in Construction (Quantity Surveying) Level 6 or higher
N/A
Quantity Surveyor or Project Builder
New Zealand Diploma in Construction (Level 6 or higher) with a strand in Quantity Surveying, 240 credits
N/A
Quantity Surveyor or Project Builder
New Zealand Diploma in Construction (Level 6 or higher) with a strand in Construction Economics, Construction Management or Building, 240 credits
N/A
Project Builder
New Zealand Diploma in Engineering (Level 6) with a strand in Electrical Engineering, 240 credits
N/A
Telecommunications, Telecommunications Network Engineer or Electrical Engineering Technician
New Zealand Diploma in Engineering (Level 6 or higher) with a strand in Electronics Engineering, 240 credits
N/A
Electronic Engineering Technician
New Zealand Diploma in Engineering (Level 6 or higher) with a strand in Mechanical Engineering
N/A
Mechanical Engineering Technician
A diploma at NZQF Level 5 or higher
Farm management, agriculture or dairy technology
Dairy Cattle Farmer
A certificate at NZQF Level 4 or higher
New Zealand Certificate in Automotive Electrical Engineering (NZQF Level 4)
Automotive Electrician
A certificate at NZQF Level 4 or higher
New Zealand Certificate in Heavy Automotive Engineering (NZQF Level 4)
Diesel Motor Mechanic
A certificate at NZQF Level 4 or higher
Dairy Farming or Livestock Farming strands of the New Zealand Certificate in Agriculture (Level 4)
Dairy Cattle Farmer
New Zealand Certificate in Automotive Electrical Engineering (Level 4)
N/A
Automotive Electrician
New Zealand Certificate in Heavy Automotive Engineering (NZQF Level 4)
N/A
Diesel Motor Mechanic
New Zealand Certificate in Agriculture (Level 4) with a strand in Dairy Farming or Livestock Farming
N/A
Dairy Cattle Farmer
If you applied for your student visa before 12 May 2022
Work out if your qualification is acceptable
If your qualification is Level 7 or higher
If you studied at Levels 4 to 6
If you studied English language
How long you can stay
You can stay and work in New Zealand for up to 3 years depending on the level of your qualification and how long you spent studying for it.
Who can apply
To apply for this visa, you must have recently finished studying in New Zealand and have:
- a degree level 7 or higher qualification — level 8 Postgraduate Diploma, level 9 Masters degree or level 10 Doctoral degree
- a non-degree level 7 or lower qualification that is on the list of qualifications eligible for a Post Study Work Visa — you must intend to work in a job that is related to what you studied, and apply in time
- be in good health
- have a good character
- have a genuine reason for coming to New Zealand
- have enough money to pay your expenses.
You can apply for a Post Study Work Visa if you have completed: Alert If you applied for your student visa before 12 May 2022, and your qualification is not on the list of qualifications eligible for a Post Study Work Visa, you may still be able to apply for a Post Study Work Visa, but you will need to have an
You can find more information about the New Zealand Qualifications and Credentials Framework levels on the New Zealand Qualifications Authority website. About the New Zealand Qualifications and Credentials Framework (NZQCF) If you applied for your student visa before 12 May 2022 and your qualification is not on the list of Qualifications Eligible for a Post Study Work Visa, you may still be eligible for a Post Study Work Visa, but you will need to have an
For your qualification to be acceptable: About the New Zealand Qualifications and Credentials Framework (NZQCF) - NZQA website Your qualification at level 7 or higher is acceptable if your course lasted 30 weeks or more. Your Level 4, 5 or 6 qualification is acceptable if you: Note You may also be eligible for a Post Study Work Visa if you have completed an acceptable qualification, as stated above, on a student visa that you held, or had applied for, on 08 August 2018. English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) qualifications are not acceptable. You can find more information about the New Zealand Qualifications and Credentials Framework levels on the New Zealand Qualifications Authority website. About the New Zealand Qualifications and Credentials Framework (NZQCF) - NZQA website
Qualifications needed for a Post Study Work Visa
Check what qualifications you need to have recently completed in New Zealand to apply for a Post Study Work Visa. This could depend on when you applied for your student visa.
Who can apply for a Post Study Work Visa
Qualification
Knowledge requirements (focus area)
Related jobs
A Graduate Diploma at NZQF Level 7
Highway engineering or civil engineering
Construction Project Manager
A Graduate Diploma at NZQF Level 7
Construction management or construction project management
Construction Project Manager or Project Builder
A Graduate Diploma at NZQF Level 7
Construction
Project Builder
A Graduate Diploma in Construction at NZQF Level 7
Quantity Surveying
Quantity Surveyor
A Graduate Diploma in Quantity Surveying at NZQF Level 7
not applicable (N/A)
Quantity Surveyor
A Graduate Diploma acceptable to the Teaching Council of Aotearoa New Zealand for registration
and
The applicant meets all the Council’s other requirements for teacher registration and certification.
Registration and Certification — Teaching Council of Aotearoa New ZealandN/A
Primary, Intermediate or Secondary School Teacher
Graduate Diploma in Teaching (Early Childhood Education) or comparable qualification that is acceptable to the Teaching Council of Aotearoa New Zealand for registration.
and
The applicant meets all the Council’s other requirements for teacher registration and certification.
Registration and Certification — Teaching Council of Aotearoa New ZealandN/A
Early Childhood Teacher
A qualification at NZQF Level 7, with a letter from Engineering New Zealand certifying that the qualification and any further learning meet the benchmark requirements towards Chartered Professional Engineer professional status in New Zealand.
N/A
Engineer or Civil, Electrical, Electronic, Mechanical Engineering Technician
A Diploma at NZQF Level 6 or higher with a minimum of 240 credits
Highway engineering, construction or construction management
Construction Project Manager or Project Builder
A Diploma at NZQF Level 6 or higher with a minimum of 240 credits
Civil engineering
Construction Project Manager or Civil Engineering Technician
New Zealand Diploma in Engineering (Level 6) with a strand in Civil Engineering, 240 credits
N/A
Construction Project Manager or Civil Engineering Technician
New Zealand Diploma in Construction (Quantity Surveying) Level 6 or higher
N/A
Quantity Surveyor or Project Builder
New Zealand Diploma in Construction (Level 6 or higher) with a strand in Quantity Surveying, 240 credits
N/A
Quantity Surveyor or Project Builder
New Zealand Diploma in Construction (Level 6 or higher) with a strand in Construction Economics, Construction Management or Building, 240 credits
N/A
Project Builder
New Zealand Diploma in Engineering (Level 6) with a strand in Electrical Engineering, 240 credits
N/A
Telecommunications, Telecommunications Network Engineer or Electrical Engineering Technician
New Zealand Diploma in Engineering (Level 6 or higher) with a strand in Electronics Engineering, 240 credits
N/A
Electronic Engineering Technician
New Zealand Diploma in Engineering (Level 6 or higher) with a strand in Mechanical Engineering
N/A
Mechanical Engineering Technician
A diploma at NZQF Level 5 or higher
Farm management, agriculture or dairy technology
Dairy Cattle Farmer
A certificate at NZQF Level 4 or higher
New Zealand Certificate in Automotive Electrical Engineering (NZQF Level 4)
Automotive Electrician
A certificate at NZQF Level 4 or higher
New Zealand Certificate in Heavy Automotive Engineering (NZQF Level 4)
Diesel Motor Mechanic
A certificate at NZQF Level 4 or higher
Dairy Farming or Livestock Farming strands of the New Zealand Certificate in Agriculture (Level 4)
Dairy Cattle Farmer
New Zealand Certificate in Automotive Electrical Engineering (Level 4)
N/A
Automotive Electrician
New Zealand Certificate in Heavy Automotive Engineering (NZQF Level 4)
N/A
Diesel Motor Mechanic
New Zealand Certificate in Agriculture (Level 4) with a strand in Dairy Farming or Livestock Farming
N/A
Dairy Cattle Farmer
If you applied for your student visa before 12 May 2022
Work out if your qualification is acceptable
If your qualification is Level 7 or higher
If you studied at Levels 4 to 6
If you studied English language
New Zealand qualification
You must have gained a qualification in New Zealand that lets you apply for this visa.
You must provide:
- a copy of your qualification
- your academic transcript, or
- a letter from your tertiary education provider confirming you have completed your qualification.
If you have studied a degree level 7 or higher qualification, you must have studied it full-time for at least 30 weeks in New Zealand.
If you have studied a non-degree level 7 or lower qualification, it must be on the list of qualifications eligible for a Post Study Work Visa. Your study must have been full-time in New Zealand, and for the full duration required to gain the qualification. The job you end up taking must be related to what you studied. This will be specified in your visa conditions.
If you immediately follow your first qualification with a higher-level qualification that you studied towards for less than 30 weeks, which does not meet the requirements for a Post Study Work Visa (PSWV), you can apply for a PSWV based on your first qualification.
You can apply for a Post Study Work Visa if you have completed: Alert If you applied for your student visa before 12 May 2022, and your qualification is not on the list of qualifications eligible for a Post Study Work Visa, you may still be able to apply for a Post Study Work Visa, but you will need to have an
You can find more information about the New Zealand Qualifications and Credentials Framework levels on the New Zealand Qualifications Authority website. About the New Zealand Qualifications and Credentials Framework (NZQCF) If you applied for your student visa before 12 May 2022 and your qualification is not on the list of Qualifications Eligible for a Post Study Work Visa, you may still be eligible for a Post Study Work Visa, but you will need to have an
For your qualification to be acceptable: About the New Zealand Qualifications and Credentials Framework (NZQCF) - NZQA website Your qualification at level 7 or higher is acceptable if your course lasted 30 weeks or more. Your Level 4, 5 or 6 qualification is acceptable if you: Note You may also be eligible for a Post Study Work Visa if you have completed an acceptable qualification, as stated above, on a student visa that you held, or had applied for, on 08 August 2018. English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) qualifications are not acceptable. You can find more information about the New Zealand Qualifications and Credentials Framework levels on the New Zealand Qualifications Authority website. About the New Zealand Qualifications and Credentials Framework (NZQCF) - NZQA website
Qualifications needed for a Post Study Work Visa
Check what qualifications you need to have recently completed in New Zealand to apply for a Post Study Work Visa. This could depend on when you applied for your student visa.
Who can apply for a Post Study Work Visa
Qualification
Knowledge requirements (focus area)
Related jobs
A Graduate Diploma at NZQF Level 7
Highway engineering or civil engineering
Construction Project Manager
A Graduate Diploma at NZQF Level 7
Construction management or construction project management
Construction Project Manager or Project Builder
A Graduate Diploma at NZQF Level 7
Construction
Project Builder
A Graduate Diploma in Construction at NZQF Level 7
Quantity Surveying
Quantity Surveyor
A Graduate Diploma in Quantity Surveying at NZQF Level 7
not applicable (N/A)
Quantity Surveyor
A Graduate Diploma acceptable to the Teaching Council of Aotearoa New Zealand for registration
and
The applicant meets all the Council’s other requirements for teacher registration and certification.
Registration and Certification — Teaching Council of Aotearoa New ZealandN/A
Primary, Intermediate or Secondary School Teacher
Graduate Diploma in Teaching (Early Childhood Education) or comparable qualification that is acceptable to the Teaching Council of Aotearoa New Zealand for registration.
and
The applicant meets all the Council’s other requirements for teacher registration and certification.
Registration and Certification — Teaching Council of Aotearoa New ZealandN/A
Early Childhood Teacher
A qualification at NZQF Level 7, with a letter from Engineering New Zealand certifying that the qualification and any further learning meet the benchmark requirements towards Chartered Professional Engineer professional status in New Zealand.
N/A
Engineer or Civil, Electrical, Electronic, Mechanical Engineering Technician
A Diploma at NZQF Level 6 or higher with a minimum of 240 credits
Highway engineering, construction or construction management
Construction Project Manager or Project Builder
A Diploma at NZQF Level 6 or higher with a minimum of 240 credits
Civil engineering
Construction Project Manager or Civil Engineering Technician
New Zealand Diploma in Engineering (Level 6) with a strand in Civil Engineering, 240 credits
N/A
Construction Project Manager or Civil Engineering Technician
New Zealand Diploma in Construction (Quantity Surveying) Level 6 or higher
N/A
Quantity Surveyor or Project Builder
New Zealand Diploma in Construction (Level 6 or higher) with a strand in Quantity Surveying, 240 credits
N/A
Quantity Surveyor or Project Builder
New Zealand Diploma in Construction (Level 6 or higher) with a strand in Construction Economics, Construction Management or Building, 240 credits
N/A
Project Builder
New Zealand Diploma in Engineering (Level 6) with a strand in Electrical Engineering, 240 credits
N/A
Telecommunications, Telecommunications Network Engineer or Electrical Engineering Technician
New Zealand Diploma in Engineering (Level 6 or higher) with a strand in Electronics Engineering, 240 credits
N/A
Electronic Engineering Technician
New Zealand Diploma in Engineering (Level 6 or higher) with a strand in Mechanical Engineering
N/A
Mechanical Engineering Technician
A diploma at NZQF Level 5 or higher
Farm management, agriculture or dairy technology
Dairy Cattle Farmer
A certificate at NZQF Level 4 or higher
New Zealand Certificate in Automotive Electrical Engineering (NZQF Level 4)
Automotive Electrician
A certificate at NZQF Level 4 or higher
New Zealand Certificate in Heavy Automotive Engineering (NZQF Level 4)
Diesel Motor Mechanic
A certificate at NZQF Level 4 or higher
Dairy Farming or Livestock Farming strands of the New Zealand Certificate in Agriculture (Level 4)
Dairy Cattle Farmer
New Zealand Certificate in Automotive Electrical Engineering (Level 4)
N/A
Automotive Electrician
New Zealand Certificate in Heavy Automotive Engineering (NZQF Level 4)
N/A
Diesel Motor Mechanic
New Zealand Certificate in Agriculture (Level 4) with a strand in Dairy Farming or Livestock Farming
N/A
Dairy Cattle Farmer
If you applied for your student visa before 12 May 2022
Work out if your qualification is acceptable
If your qualification is Level 7 or higher
If you studied at Levels 4 to 6
If you studied English language
Alert
If you applied for your student visa before 11 May 2022, the qualifications that let you apply for this visa are different.
You can apply for a Post Study Work Visa if you have completed: Alert If you applied for your student visa before 12 May 2022, and your qualification is not on the list of qualifications eligible for a Post Study Work Visa, you may still be able to apply for a Post Study Work Visa, but you will need to have an
You can find more information about the New Zealand Qualifications and Credentials Framework levels on the New Zealand Qualifications Authority website. About the New Zealand Qualifications and Credentials Framework (NZQCF) If you applied for your student visa before 12 May 2022 and your qualification is not on the list of Qualifications Eligible for a Post Study Work Visa, you may still be eligible for a Post Study Work Visa, but you will need to have an
For your qualification to be acceptable: About the New Zealand Qualifications and Credentials Framework (NZQCF) - NZQA website Your qualification at level 7 or higher is acceptable if your course lasted 30 weeks or more. Your Level 4, 5 or 6 qualification is acceptable if you: Note You may also be eligible for a Post Study Work Visa if you have completed an acceptable qualification, as stated above, on a student visa that you held, or had applied for, on 08 August 2018. English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) qualifications are not acceptable. You can find more information about the New Zealand Qualifications and Credentials Framework levels on the New Zealand Qualifications Authority website. About the New Zealand Qualifications and Credentials Framework (NZQCF) - NZQA website
Qualifications needed for a Post Study Work Visa
Check what qualifications you need to have recently completed in New Zealand to apply for a Post Study Work Visa. This could depend on when you applied for your student visa.
Who can apply for a Post Study Work Visa
Qualification
Knowledge requirements (focus area)
Related jobs
A Graduate Diploma at NZQF Level 7
Highway engineering or civil engineering
Construction Project Manager
A Graduate Diploma at NZQF Level 7
Construction management or construction project management
Construction Project Manager or Project Builder
A Graduate Diploma at NZQF Level 7
Construction
Project Builder
A Graduate Diploma in Construction at NZQF Level 7
Quantity Surveying
Quantity Surveyor
A Graduate Diploma in Quantity Surveying at NZQF Level 7
not applicable (N/A)
Quantity Surveyor
A Graduate Diploma acceptable to the Teaching Council of Aotearoa New Zealand for registration
and
The applicant meets all the Council’s other requirements for teacher registration and certification.
Registration and Certification — Teaching Council of Aotearoa New ZealandN/A
Primary, Intermediate or Secondary School Teacher
Graduate Diploma in Teaching (Early Childhood Education) or comparable qualification that is acceptable to the Teaching Council of Aotearoa New Zealand for registration.
and
The applicant meets all the Council’s other requirements for teacher registration and certification.
Registration and Certification — Teaching Council of Aotearoa New ZealandN/A
Early Childhood Teacher
A qualification at NZQF Level 7, with a letter from Engineering New Zealand certifying that the qualification and any further learning meet the benchmark requirements towards Chartered Professional Engineer professional status in New Zealand.
N/A
Engineer or Civil, Electrical, Electronic, Mechanical Engineering Technician
A Diploma at NZQF Level 6 or higher with a minimum of 240 credits
Highway engineering, construction or construction management
Construction Project Manager or Project Builder
A Diploma at NZQF Level 6 or higher with a minimum of 240 credits
Civil engineering
Construction Project Manager or Civil Engineering Technician
New Zealand Diploma in Engineering (Level 6) with a strand in Civil Engineering, 240 credits
N/A
Construction Project Manager or Civil Engineering Technician
New Zealand Diploma in Construction (Quantity Surveying) Level 6 or higher
N/A
Quantity Surveyor or Project Builder
New Zealand Diploma in Construction (Level 6 or higher) with a strand in Quantity Surveying, 240 credits
N/A
Quantity Surveyor or Project Builder
New Zealand Diploma in Construction (Level 6 or higher) with a strand in Construction Economics, Construction Management or Building, 240 credits
N/A
Project Builder
New Zealand Diploma in Engineering (Level 6) with a strand in Electrical Engineering, 240 credits
N/A
Telecommunications, Telecommunications Network Engineer or Electrical Engineering Technician
New Zealand Diploma in Engineering (Level 6 or higher) with a strand in Electronics Engineering, 240 credits
N/A
Electronic Engineering Technician
New Zealand Diploma in Engineering (Level 6 or higher) with a strand in Mechanical Engineering
N/A
Mechanical Engineering Technician
A diploma at NZQF Level 5 or higher
Farm management, agriculture or dairy technology
Dairy Cattle Farmer
A certificate at NZQF Level 4 or higher
New Zealand Certificate in Automotive Electrical Engineering (NZQF Level 4)
Automotive Electrician
A certificate at NZQF Level 4 or higher
New Zealand Certificate in Heavy Automotive Engineering (NZQF Level 4)
Diesel Motor Mechanic
A certificate at NZQF Level 4 or higher
Dairy Farming or Livestock Farming strands of the New Zealand Certificate in Agriculture (Level 4)
Dairy Cattle Farmer
New Zealand Certificate in Automotive Electrical Engineering (Level 4)
N/A
Automotive Electrician
New Zealand Certificate in Heavy Automotive Engineering (NZQF Level 4)
N/A
Diesel Motor Mechanic
New Zealand Certificate in Agriculture (Level 4) with a strand in Dairy Farming or Livestock Farming
N/A
Dairy Cattle Farmer
If you applied for your student visa before 12 May 2022
Work out if your qualification is acceptable
If your qualification is Level 7 or higher
If you studied at Levels 4 to 6
If you studied English language
When to apply
You must apply for a Post Study Work Visa (PSWV) no later than 3 months after your student visa expires, or within 3 months of the end date of your student visa for a second qualification (if you completed a bachelor's degree immediately followed by an honours or post-graduate diploma and held consecutive student visas for these qualifications), except if you completed:
- a Doctoral degree, you must apply for a PSWV no later than 6 months after your student visa expires
- an eligible qualification for a PSWV and then, immediately after, completed a higher-level qualification in less than 30 weeks, you can apply for a PSWV based on your first qualification no later than 12 months after your student visa for the first qualification expires.
For example, if you completed a Postgraduate Diploma (PGDip) that was full-time for at least 30 weeks, and then you enrolled straight away in a Master's degree and completed it in less than 30 weeks, you can apply for a PSWV based on your PGDip, your first qualification. You will have 12 months from the end date of your visa for the PGDip to apply.
We will check our records to make sure that you are applying in time.
Note
If you did not complete the qualification recorded on your student visa, we may not approve your Post Study Work Visa application.
Health
We may ask you to have a chest X-ray, a medical examination or both as proof of your good health.
When we process your application, we will let you know by email if we need you to have a chest X-ray or medical examination.
Visa health requirements, which we call the acceptable standard of health criteria, help us to decide if we should approve or decline your application. We check if: Ongoing Resource Scheme — Ministry of Education When we decide if you meet the visa's health requirements, we cannot consider: Note If you, or someone else in your visa application, need to enter New Zealand for medical treatment or consultation, the visa health requirements may not apply. You may need to get a medical examination as part of your application. We will use this to determine if you meet the visa's health requirements. Who needs a chest X-ray or medical examination Your medical examination results may mean we either: If we ask the medical assessor for their opinion, we may then: We may decline your temporary visa application if we think during your stay you are likely, because of your health, to need: We may also decline your temporary visa if you are assessed as having a severe developmental or cognitive condition that will need significant support. The conditions include, but are not limited to: The visas this requirement applies to: Child of a Worker Visitor Visa Child of Military Visitor Visa Child of a Student Visitor Visa You are included in the additional health requirement if you are under 20 and applying for a student or visitor visa as the dependent of a work, student or military visa holder. We may decline your application for a resident visa if you, or somebody else in your application, have any of these conditions: We may also decline your visa application if the medical assessor thinks that your health services costs are likely to be more than NZ$81,000 (NZ$41,000 if you applied for a visa before 4 September 2022).
Why you may need to provide evidence you are in good health
Before we can approve your visa application, we check that you meet the visa's health requirements.
Health requirements for visas
How we assess your health
Meeting health requirements for temporary visas
Meeting health requirements for resident visas
Update on medical certificate requests on Immigration Online
If you are staying less than:
- 6 months, you do not normally need a chest X-ray
- 12 months, you do not normally need a medical certificate.
To get a New Zealand visa, applicants must be in good health. To show us that you have an acceptable standard of health, you may need to have a medical examination, chest X-ray or both. If you do, you will need to include a medical certificate or an eMedical reference number in your application. Why you need to provide evidence of your good health How to get an X-ray or medical examination There are 3 types of medical certificate: What you need to provide depends on the type of visa you are applying for, how long you intend to stay in New Zealand, what country you are from, and whether you have provided a medical certificate to us with an earlier application. Children under 11 years of age and pregnant women do not need to have a chest X-ray unless a special report is needed. If you will be staying in New Zealand between 6 and 12 months, you must have a chest X-ray if: Countries with a low incidence of tuberculosis If you will be staying for more than 12 months, you must have a chest X-ray no matter where you are from. If you apply for another visa while in New Zealand, the time you have already spent here counts towards the 12 months. Different rules apply if you are: Information for asylum seekers If you are applying to stay in New Zealand permanently, and do not already have a resident visa, you must have a chest X-ray no matter where you are from. You do not need to get a chest X-ray if you are applying for a student visa and staying for less than 6 months. You must have a chest X-ray if you are applying for a student visa and: You do not need to get a chest X-ray if you are staying for more than 6 months as a foreign fee-paying student, and you are: You do not need to provide a chest X-ray certificate if you are: If you are from a country that does not have a low incidence of TB, you must have a chest X-ray no matter how long you will stay in New Zealand. You must send us another X-ray if: You do not need to send us another chest X-ray if you provided a chest X-ray with an earlier visa application and you are applying for a visa on or after 5 August 2021 based on your relationship to an existing Essential Skills Work Visa holder (that is, you are their partner or dependent child). Once you have made your application, we may come back to you and ask for medical documents. If you have already obtained an X-ray certificate for your visa application, you can choose to still submit it. If you are applying for a Parent and Grandparent Visitor Visa, you must provide a chest X-ray certificate with your application. Find out if you need to include a medical certificate with your application. If you will stay in New Zealand for up to 12 months, you normally do not need to have a medical examination unless the visa you apply for will allow you to stay for more than 12 months, or we ask you to have one. You must have a medical examination if you will stay in New Zealand for more than 12 months. If you are already in New Zealand, the time you have already spent here will count towards the 12 months. There are different rules when applying for a student visa. If you are applying to stay in New Zealand permanently, and do not already have a resident visa, you must have a medical examination no matter where you are from. If you stay for more than 12 months, you must have a medical examination if you: If you are applying for a Fee-Paying Student Visa or Pathway Student Visa, you do not need to have a medical examination, no matter how long you are staying in New Zealand, unless: Even if you had a medical examination with an earlier visa application, you need to have another medical examination if: You do not need to send us another medical examination if you provided a medical examination with an earlier visa application and you are applying for a visa on or after 5 August 2021, based on your relationship to an existing Essential Skills Work Visa holder (that is, you are their partner or dependent child). Once you have made your application, we may come back to you and ask for medical documents if these are required to process your application. If you have already obtained a medical certificate for your visa application, you can choose to still submit it. If you are a woman over 45 you may need to have a physical breast examination. Your physician will tell you if you need one. If you are applying for a Parent and Grandparent Visitor Visa, you must provide a general medical certificate and chest X-ray certificate. If you need to have a medical examination or a chest X-ray, you must use a
Panel physicians are doctors and radiologists who are approved to complete medical examinations and chest X-rays for New Zealand visa applications.
Who needs an X-ray or medical examination
If you are applying for a visa, you may need a chest X-ray or medical examination as evidence of your good health.
Proving you are in good health
Types of medical certificate
Who needs a chest X-ray
If you will be staying between 6 and 12 months
If you will be staying for more than 12 months
If you are applying to stay in New Zealand permanently
If you are applying for a student visa
Foreign fee-paying students
If you are applying for a Recognised Seasonal Employer Limited Visa
If you had a chest X-ray for an earlier visa application
If you are applying for a Parent and Grandparent Visitor Visa
Who needs a medical examination
If you will be staying up to 12 months
If you will be staying for more than 12 months
If you are applying to stay in New Zealand permanently
If you are applying for a student visa
If you had a medical examination for an earlier visa application
If you are a woman over 45
If you are applying for a Parent and Grandparent Visitor Visa
Arranging an examination or X-ray
Note You can check the situations where you need an X-ray or medical examination, and the different types of examinations. Who needs an X-ray or medical examination If you need a medical examination, you normally get a 'general medical examination' unless you need a limited medical examination. A general medical examination is sometimes called a 'full medical examination'. For some visas, you must have a chest X-ray, a medical examination or both before you apply. For an Accredited Employer Work Visa or a Visitor Visa, we will let you know after you submit your application if you need a chest X-ray or medical examination. If you need a chest X-ray or medical examination, you must visit a doctor or radiologist from our list of 'panel physicians' — unless there are no panel physicians in your country. Panel physicians are doctors and radiologists approved to complete chest X-rays and medical examinations for New Zealand visa applications. Check if there is a panel physician in your country. Doctors who can do examinations You must visit a panel physician. You can use any registered doctor. You must visit a panel medical clinic who will refer you to a panel radiology clinic. Note If there are other people on your application, they will each need an appointment. If you are menstruating (having a period), you need to wait until your period finishes before having your medical examination. You cannot have your medical examination during your period because the blood can affect your urine test. For an Accredited Employer Work Visa or Visitor Visa, if we need you to have a chest X-ray or medical examination, we give you an Immigration New Zealand health case reference number (NZHR). Give the NZHR to the clinic when you make your appointment. Finding your eMedical and INZ health case reference numbers You can bring a family member, support person or interpreter to your appointment. Let the clinic know when you make your appointment if you are bringing someone with you. If you are having a physical examination, you can ask the clinic for a chaperone. The clinic must have chaperones available. Have the following ready to bring to your appointment: Identity documents for X-rays and medical examinations Note If you are 17 years or under, you need your parent or legal guardian to come with you. If you are visiting any registered doctor because there are no panel physicians in your country, you need to also bring: Get the medical certificate form you need:
You need to also bring a completed 'Immigration Adviser Details' form to give to the clinic.
At your medical appointment, you must sign a form to allow the doctor to send your medical information to us. If you are 17 or younger, your parent or guardian must sign the form for you. If your doctor is using eMedical, they will give you an eMedical client consent and declaration form to sign. You can read the form before your appointment:
There are 3 parts to the medical examination: The doctor checks your height, weight, mental state, hearing and vision, listens to your heart and lungs, feels your abdomen and checks your reflexes and other parts of your nervous system. A nurse or health care assistant may complete parts of the examination. You will need to: You must pay any costs related to your X-ray and medical examinations. Note Ask the clinic about the costs when you make your appointment. In your visa application, you need to provide evidence of your X-ray or examination results. To show you had an examination you can either: To get a copy of your results you can ask the doctor when you have your examination, or any time afterwards. You can ask for email notifications. If you do, you will receive an email when your physician sends us your results. You cannot reply to this email. If you have any questions about your results, discuss these with your doctor. You can ask the clinic for a copy of your medical examination results. Once we receive your results you can also contact us if you want a copy of them. If you have an immigration adviser, and would like them to be able to see and ask questions about your medical information, you need to:
The panel physicians who use eMedical must agree to protect your personal information to meet New Zealand privacy laws. Your information is sent to us using a secure online channel and is available only to us and the clinic where you were examined. If you have any privacy concerns, you can contact us.
How to get an X-ray or medical examination
If you need a chest X-ray or medical examination for your visa application, you will need to make a doctor's appointment and take any relevant documents with you. You will need to provide evidence of your medical results in your application.
Process overview
Your chest X-ray and medical examination results must be no more than 3 months old when we get your application.
1. Check if you need a chest X-ray or medical examination
2. Make an appointment
If there is a panel physician in your country
If there is no panel physician in your country
If you are in New Zealand and only need a chest X-ray
Bringing someone with you to the appointment
3. Get what you need for your appointment
If you are visiting a doctor that is not a panel physician
If you are using a licensed immigration adviser
4. Go to your appointment
Authority to collect medical information
What happens at the medical examination
Paying for your medical examination
5. Provide evidence of your results in your application
6. How to get your results
If you need a copy of your results
Sharing your medical information with an immigration adviser
Your privacy
If staying for more than 6 months
If you will stay in New Zealand for more than 6 months, you must have a chest X-ray if you:
- are a citizen of a country that does not have a low incidence of tuberculosis (TB), or
- have spent more than 3 months in the last 5 years in a country that does not have a low incidence of TB.
You must provide a new chest X-ray certificate, even if you have provided one to us previously, if you:
- have spent 6 months in a row in a country that does not have a low incidence of TB since the date of your last X-ray certificate, and
- are now coming to New Zealand for more than 6 months — if you are in New Zealand this includes any time you have already spent here.
If you are applying for a visa to come to New Zealand for 6 months or longer, you must have a chest X-ray if you: You may not need to have a chest X-ray if you: Countries with a low incidence of TB Aland Islands Albania American Samoa Andorra Anguilla Antarctica Antigua and Barbuda Argentina Armenia Aruba Australia Austria Bahamas Bahrain Barbados Belarus Belgium Belize Bermuda Bonaire Bosnia and Herzegovina Bouvet Island British Indian Ocean Territory British Virgin Islands Bulgaria Cabo Verde Canada Cayman Islands Chile Christmas Island Cocos (Keeling) Islands Colombia Comoros Cook Islands Costa Rica Croatia Cuba Curacao Cyprus Czech Republic Denmark Egypt Estonia Falkland Islands Faroe Islands Finland France French Guiana French Polynesia Germany Gibraltar Greece Grenada Guadeloupe Guam Guatemala Guernsey Heard and McDonald Islands Honduras Hungary Iceland Iran (Islamic Republic of) Iraq Ireland Isle of Man Israel Italy Jamaica Japan Jersey Jordan Kuwait Latvia Lebanon Liechtenstein Lithuania Luxembourg Maldives Malta Martinique Mauritius Mayotte Mexico Monaco Montenegro Montserrat Netherlands New Caledonia New Zealand Norfolk Island North Macedonia Norway Occupied Palestinian Territory Oman Panama Pitcairn Islands Poland Portugal Puerto Rico Qatar Reunion Saint Barthelmy Saint Eustatius & Saba Saint Helena, Ascencion and Tristan da Cunha Saint Kitts and Nevis Saint Lucia Saint Vincent and the Grenadines Samoa San Marino Saudi Arabia Serbia Seychelles Sint Maarten Slovakia Slovenia South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands Spain Suriname Svalbard and Jan Mayen Sweden Switzerland Syrian Arab Republic Togo Tonga Trinidad and Tobago Tunisia Turkey Turks and Caicos United Arab Emirates United Kingdom United States of America United States Virgin Islands Uruguay Vanuatu Vatican City Wallis and Futuna Islands
Countries with a low incidence of tuberculosis
You must have a chest X-ray if you have been living in a country that does not have a low incidence of tuberculosis (TB).
When you need to have a chest X-ray
Check the list of countries with a low incidence of TB
Character
You may need to provide police certificates as proof of your good character.
If you have a criminal conviction or are a security risk to New Zealand we might not give you a visa.
Anyone applying for a New Zealand visa must meet the character requirements. When you apply, you must tell us about any issues or activities, both current and in your past, that could affect our decision, including whether you have been: If there is an issue, we may: You can request a character waiver or special direction when you apply. If your request is approved, we can give you a visa if your application meets all other requirements. Visas are given by special direction only in rare circumstances. You may need to provide us with police certificates to show your good character. Whether you need to give these certificates depends on how long you plan to stay in New Zealand and the visa you are applying for.
Character requirements for New Zealand visas
To be given a New Zealand visa, you must be of good character. If you have a criminal history, have provided false or misleading information, or could be a risk to New Zealand, we can decline your application.
Being of good character
Providing police certificates
You must provide police certificates that are less than 6 months old when you apply if:
- you are aged 17 or older, and
- your total time in New Zealand will be 24 months or longer. This includes time you spent in New Zealand in the past on other visas.
Police certificates must be from:
- countries you are a citizen of, and
- countries you have spent more than 5 years in since you turned 17.
You do not need to provide police certificates if you provided them with an earlier visa application, and they were issued in the last 24 months.
If we ask for a new police certificate when processing your application, you will need to send us a new one.
Depending on the visa you want, and how long you plan to stay in New Zealand, you may need to provide a police certificate as evidence of your good character. Police certificates are documents issued by the police or a government agency. They: If we ask you to provide a police certificate, you must: Providing English translations supporting documents You must provide police certificates if your total time in New Zealand will be 24 months or longer across all visits. This includes any time you have spent in New Zealand in the past on other visas, even if you have been out of the country since then. Provide police certificates from any country you: If you are aged 16 or younger, you do not need to provide police certificates. If you have a criminal record, we may still be able to grant you a visa. You can provide an explanation of your criminal record when you apply, and we will decide if you meet our good character requirements. You must provide police certificates if you are aged 17 or older. Provide police certificates from: Police certificates must show any criminal records you have had at any time in any of these countries — not only in the last 10 years. If you have a criminal record, we may still be able to give you a visa. You can provide an explanation of your criminal record when you apply, and we will decide if you meet our good character requirements. If you apply for a visa as the partner of a New Zealander or a New Zealand visa holder, your partner is known as the 'supporting partner'. Your supporting partner must be able to show us they are of good character. They may need to provide police certificates for proof. If your supporting partner is a New Zealand citizen or has a resident visa, they: If your partner needs to provide police certificates, the police certificates must be from countries where they have spent 12 months or more over the last 10 years, since they turned 17 — even if the 12 months were not all in one stay. Police certificates must show any criminal records they have had at any time in any of these countries — not only in the last 10 years. Note Your partner does not need to provide a New Zealand police certificate, as we will get one directly from the authorities. If your supporting partner has a work or study visa, we may ask your partner to provide police certificates, if you are applying for a temporary visa. Your partner will not meet our character requirements if they have any convictions for
If your supporting partner cannot prove they are of good character, we may give them a
If your partner has any convictions for domestic violence or sexual offences, they cannot support your application. For all types of visa applications, we still may request police certificates from your partner to make sure they meet our character requirements. You may not need to provide police certificates if you have provided them in a previous visa application. Check the character requirements of the visa you are applying for. Some of the authorities that issue police certificates (the police and other government agencies) may require a set of fingerprints when you request a police certificate. If you do need a set of fingerprints to get a police certificate, check in your region for a fingerprinting service. There are many private businesses who offer fingerprinting services. If you cannot find a fingerprinting service in your region, you can contact the New Zealand Police to see if they can help. They only offer this service in some regions and on specific days. Contact them to check availability before going to a police station.
Police certificates
When you apply for a visa, you may need to provide us with a police certificate to show that you are of good character.
About police certificates
Find out how to get a police certificate
If your supporting partner has a temporary visa to work or study
If your partner cannot prove good character
If you have provided police certificates before
Fingerprinting for police certificates
Genuine intentions
When we decide if your intentions are genuine, we consider all the information that:
- you provide to support your application
- we have about your personal circumstances
- you have previously provided to us.
When you travel to New Zealand on a temporary visa, your intentions must be genuine. This means that you: We use all the information we have, including the information you give us in your application, to confirm that you have genuine intentions. Alert You must answer truthfully when you complete your visa application or NZTD. If you are travelling on a visitor visa or visiting from a
If you have a visitor visa for a specific reason, you must be coming to New Zealand for that reason. For example, if you have a Medical Treatment Visitor Visa, your reason for visiting must be getting medical treatment. If you are travelling on a student visa, you must have genuine intentions to study in New Zealand. You can only work if the conditions of your student visa allow you to. If you are travelling to New Zealand to work, you must have a visa that will allow you to. Unless your visa allows you to work in any job, you must plan to work in the job, for the employer, and in the location specified in your visa. You may be asked to provide evidence of your genuine intentions: Here are some examples of evidence to show that you have genuine intentions in coming to New Zealand. To show your travel history, you could show a copy of your current and recent passports, including: If you live in a country that is not your country of citizenship, provide a copy of the visa allowing you to live in that country. If you have ever had a visa application declined by any other country, provide: If you plan to visit family or friends in New Zealand, provide their: Evidence of your travel plans while in New Zealand could include copies of: You may also need to show that you have plans to leave New Zealand at the end of your stay. This evidence could include: If you are applying for a student visa, you could provide evidence that you have: If you do not need to pay tuition fees, or if you can pay by instalment — where you make smaller payments over a period of time — you must provide confirmation from your education provider. You can also write a cover letter or statement of purpose explaining why you want to study in New Zealand. This will help us decide if you are a genuine student. If you are using an education agent or licensed immigration adviser, they cannot write the letter for you. Examples of things you could write about in your letter or statement include: If you plan to apply for another visa — for example, a work visa — after you finish your studies, include this in your cover letter or statement of purpose.
To show that you have genuine intentions to work, you will in most cases need to provide: If your visa requires you to have enough money to live on during your stay, you will need to provide evidence. This could include: Depending on your situation, you may need to provide: We consider each application based on the information and evidence we receive. If you do not provide enough evidence, it may take us longer to process your application, or we may decline your application. You must provide genuine evidence. If you or your agent provide evidence that is false or misleading, we may also decline your application. False, misleading or withheld information in visa applications Check the translation requirements for the visa you are applying for. All non-English documents must be translated when you apply for visitor and resident visas. Providing English translations of supporting documents If you are applying online, make sure your evidence is in an acceptable file format. To decide if your intentions are genuine, we look at: We look at evidence you provide with your application to check that it: When we consider information about your personal circumstances, we look at: We also look at information from your previous applications and travel to New Zealand. This can show us if you have: We might not give you a visa or allow you to enter New Zealand if we:
Genuine intentions to visit, study or work in New Zealand
Before you can get a visa or enter New Zealand to visit, work or study, we check that your reasons for coming here are genuine.
What it means to have 'genuine intentions'
Visitor visas
Student visas
Work visas
Evidence to show you have genuine intentions
Evidence of your travel history
If you live in a different country to your citizenship
Declined visa applications
Evidence you are visiting family or friends
Evidence of your travel plans
Evidence of your study plans
Evidence of your work plans
Evidence you have enough money
Evidence of your home country circumstances
evidence of your relationships with close relatives in your home country
Providing good-quality evidence
How we decide if your intentions are genuine
Evidence you provide with your application
Your personal circumstances
Your previous applications
If we decide your intentions are not genuine
Have enough money to live on
When you apply you must provide documents, such as bank statements in your name, that show you have at least NZD $5,000 in total for your stay.
This applies to visa applications for 1, 2 or 3 years.
We may ask to see these documents when you arrive in New Zealand.
Documents you need
When you apply
When you apply, you need to provide:
- a copy of your passport or
— if you apply on paper it must be a - 1 acceptable photo if you apply online, or 2 photos if you apply on paper
- proof of the qualification you have gained in New Zealand
- police certificates, if required — include translated versions if they are not in English.
You do not need to send us a physical copy. You must send us a high-quality scan of your passport. Provide a scanned copy of your current and recent passports, including: File formats for uploading documents and photos If you are including your partner or dependent children in your application, you must send us high-quality scans of their passports too. If you are applying for a: You must upload a high-quality scan of your current passport or travel document information page when you start your application. This is the page with your photo, name, date of birth and document details like passport number, expiry and issuing authority. Make sure your scan also includes the MRZ code — the string of characters on the bottom of the information page of your passport. If you are including a partner or dependent children in your application, you will also need to upload a high-quality scan of their passport information page. Immigration Online will read the identity and document details in your scanned copy and fill in these fields for you on the form. Check the details in the form are correct and fix any mistakes. If all the information is correct you do not need to do anything and can continue with your application. If Immigration Online could not upload your document, rescan your document and try again. Make sure the document: You can upload any other pages with visa records, entry and exit stamps in the 'Identity evidence' fields in the 'Supporting documents' section of your application form. If you are applying for another type of visa online, we will email you if we need your physical passport to confirm your identity. You may not need to send us your passport if you are: If you renew your passport before you travel, you must transfer your eVisa or the visa label to your new passport. Transferring a visa to a new passport You may not be able to come to New Zealand if your visa and passport do not match in our system. If we need to see your physical passport to confirm your identity, we will: Most people do not need to provide their physical passport. If you are not sure if you need to send your passport, check the final page of your completed visa application in your Immigration Online account. Warning If you do not send your passport within the time we specify, we may delay processing your application or decline it. If you are applying from outside New Zealand, send your passport to your nearest Visa Application Centre (VAC) or Immigration New Zealand (INZ) office. We must receive it within 20 working days from when we ask for it. Most people use a courier or postal tracking service to send us their passports. Offices outside of New Zealand (Visa Application Centres) Postal addresses for sending paper documents We will contact you with instructions about where and how to send your passport if you: Check our postal addresses page for where to send your passport in New Zealand. Use a signature-required courier service so it arrives quickly. Postal addresses for sending paper documents You may have to pay a fee to send your passport to a VAC. You can find the handling fee on the website of your nearest VAC. Fill in the filters and select the tab called ‘Passport handling for online application’. VFS Global for individuals — VFS Global If you sent your passport to a VAC, they contact you with the tracking details after they send your passport back to you. If you have any questions or concerns about the return of your passport, contact the VAC directly. Note The VAC may not send your passport back to you until after we have made a decision about your visa application. If you sent your passport to an INZ office, you receive a tracking number after we send it back to you. Contact the courier company if you have any questions about delivery. For any other questions or concerns, contact us. If you need your passport urgently, contact the INZ officer processing your application. When you contact them, include:
Providing your passport for an online application
How to provide a digital copy of your passport or send us your original passport so we can verify your identity.
If you are applying for a visitor, student or work visa
Resident and transit visas
You must upload a high-quality scan of your passport or travel document when you apply online. You do not need to send us a physical copy.Upload the passport or travel document information page
File formats for uploading documents and photosUpload other passport or travel document pages
Other online applications
Transfer a visa to a new passport
Providing your physical passport
Sending your passport from outside New Zealand
Countries that cannot use a VAC
Sending your passport in New Zealand
Sending your passport to a VAC
Getting your passport returned from a VAC or INZ office
Urgent return of passports
If your photo does not meet all of our requirements we will ask you for a new photo. If you are applying for a visa, we will stop processing your application until we receive an acceptable photo. If you are requesting an NZeTA, your request may be delayed or refused. Use the photo examples on this page to check your photo is correct and meets our requirements. Alert Do not use the New Zealand Department of Internal Affairs website or other online tools to check your photo as those tools are for passport photos only. Your photo is more likely to be accepted if you use a professional photographer or business that takes passport photos. Give the photographer our instructions to make sure you get a photo that meets our requirements.
The photo you submit with a paper application must be 35 mm wide and 45 mm high. Further instructions are on the paper application forms. Note You can only apply for an NZeTA online. The photo you submit with an online application must be: Alert We are unlikely to accept your photo if it is not the right size. If you request an NZeTA using the web app, you can either upload an existing photo or take one using your device's camera. If you use the mobile app, you can only take a photo using your device's camera. Your photo must be: If you take a photo with your device, the camera must have a minimum resolution of 540 x 720 pixels. Large photos will be automatically formatted. If there is an issue with your photo you will receive an error message when you submit your visa or NZeTA photo online. To help you, we have provided a list of online errors and how to fix them. Your photo must: It may be easier to remove them.
Visa and NZeTA photos
Your photo must be less than 6 months old and clearly identify you. It must also meet all of our technical requirements.
Meeting our photo requirements
Visa and NZeTA photos are not passport photos
Using a professional photographer
Paper applications for visas
Online applications for visas
Online requests for NZeTAs
Online photo error messages
Taking your visa photo
Be in portrait, not landscape
Be of you, not a photo of a photo or your travel document
Have even lighting with minimal shadowing
Be in colour, showing natural skin tones
Be in focus, not blurry
Not contain red-eye
Be an original photo, not changed by photo-editing software
Not be a selfie
Be taken 1.5 metres from the face
Be taken against a plain, light-coloured — but not white — background with no patterns or objects
Only contain plain clothing patterns
Be of one person
We need to clearly see your face
Face the camera and keep your head straight
Keep your eyes open and mouth closed
Do not smile or frown
Show your face clearly and that long hair is tucked behind your ears
Position yourself in the middle of the photo
Remove sunglasses and hats
If you wear prescription glasses
Make sure your eyes show clearly through the lenses, with no reflected light
If you wear a head covering for religious or medical reasons
Make sure that your face and hairline can be seen in the photo
Note
Your passport or certificate of identity must be valid for at least 3 months after the date you plan to leave New Zealand.
- passport from Hong Kong
- Hong Kong document of identity
- Hong Kong British National Overseas passport (HKBNO)
- passport from Macao
If you are not a French national, also provide a copy of your carte d’assuré.
Also provide a copy of your livret de famille.
If you are not a French national, also provide a copy of your carte d’assuré.
If you are a citizen of Indonesia, also provide your
You must also provide a completed supplementary form giving more details of your background and intentions.
You may also provide your Hukou household registration book as an additional form of identity.
You may also provide your identity card as an additional form of identity.
If you are applying within China, Hong Kong or Macao, you must also provide a completed supplementary form if you are applying with a:
After you apply
After you apply, we may contact you and ask for:
- evidence of a medical examination or chest X-ray
- police certificates as proof of your good character.
Anyone applying for a New Zealand visa must meet the character requirements. When you apply, you must tell us about any issues or activities, both current and in your past, that could affect our decision, including whether you have been: If there is an issue, we may: You can request a character waiver or special direction when you apply. If your request is approved, we can give you a visa if your application meets all other requirements. Visas are given by special direction only in rare circumstances. You may need to provide us with police certificates to show your good character. Whether you need to give these certificates depends on how long you plan to stay in New Zealand and the visa you are applying for.
Character requirements for New Zealand visas
To be given a New Zealand visa, you must be of good character. If you have a criminal history, have provided false or misleading information, or could be a risk to New Zealand, we can decline your application.
Being of good character
Providing police certificates
How to apply online
Follow these steps to complete your application online.
Note
An application containing all the documents we need will be processed faster.
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1
Step 1: Successfully complete your qualification
When you have successfully completed your New Zealand qualification you can apply for a Post Study Work Visa.
You must apply for this visa:
- no later than 3 months after the end date of your student visa for your qualification
- within 3 months of the end date of your student visa for a second qualification — if you completed a bachelor's degree immediately followed by an honours or post-graduate diploma and held consecutive student visas for these qualifications
- no later than 6 months after the end date of your student visa if your qualification is a Doctoral degree, or
- within 12 months of the end date of your student visa for your first qualification — if you immediately completed a second, higher-level, qualification in less than 30 months.
If you studied towards a Doctoral degree, you can apply for a Post Study Work Visa after submitting your thesis.
We will check our records to make sure that you are applying in time.
You must remain on a valid visa at all times while you are in New Zealand.
Note
If you do not complete the qualification recorded on your student visa, we may not approve your Post Study Work Visa application.
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2
Step 2: Gather your documents
The section 'Who can apply' explains the requirements for this visa and what you will need as proof.
Our guide to applying can also help you.
Get documents translated
For your application, you must provide:
- certified English translations of police and medical certificates that are not in English
- copies of the original documents.
Note
Documents must be translated by someone who meets our requirements for providing English translations.
Providing English translations of supporting documents
Check the requirements of the visa you are applying for. Provide certified translations of your documents to avoid delays processing your application.Check the visa application requirements
Residence visa applications
All supporting documents submitted with your resident visa application must be provided in English or include an English translation.
Visitor visa applications
Visitor visa requirements are changing
From 26 May 2025, supporting document translations for visitor visa applications will no longer need to be certified.
Changes to certification requirements for translations of visitor visa supporting documentsExamples of documents that require full translation include:
- proof of funds — such as bank statements, pay records (proof of funds must be fully translated, partial translations may not be accepted)
- flight itineraries including return tickets
- proof of employment in your home country
- leave of absence documentation
- identity documents other than passports — for example, Hukou for Chinese nationals.
All other visa applications
You must provide us with full certified English translations of all medical and police certificates. This includes police certificates that record no convictions.
Note
If your other evidence is not in English, you should provide a translated copy, as this will help us to process your application faster.
Our requirements for translated documents
Immigration New Zealand does not translate documents on behalf of visa applicants. You must pay for certified translations.
Who can complete a certified translation
You can provide certified translations completed by:
- reputable private or official translation businesses
- community members known for their accurate translations.
We do not accept translations completed by the applicant, family members, or the immigration adviser assisting with your application.
We will accept translations from a licensed immigration adviser (LIA) who is:
- a trustworthy person within the community
- known to translate documents accurately
- not an adviser on the application.
Using the English spelling of the name in your passport
Check your passport to see if it has your name written in English. Ask your translator to use this spelling when they translate your documents.
If a translator used a different spelling of your name in your translated documents, then include this spelling of your name in the 'other names' section of the visa application form.
Include your 'other names' in the application form
We need to know if you have used other names that are in your translated documents.
For example, if:
- you have a different birth name, or name from a marriage or adoption
- you have other passports with a different name
- the translator used a different name or spelling when translating your documents into English.
In your visa application form, enter all other names that you have used in the section called 'other names'.
Check your translated document
Each translation must:
- be on the translation business’s official letterhead, if possible
- certified as a correct translation by the translator
- stamped or signed by the translator or translation business.
Submitting your original foreign language documents
When you apply for your visa, the supporting documents that you provide us are the:
- original document in a foreign language, and
- a certified English translation of the document.
How you provide the documents depends on if you are applying online or on a paper form.
If applying online, make sure all scanned copies are clear and readable.We may not need an original document or its certified copy in the following situations:
- if we asked for uncertified copies in our form or guide
- if you submitted a legible scan of the original document in the online form
- if you submitted a legible copy of the original document for a temporary entry visa.
When we process your application, we will contact you if we need you to send us a document.
Organise proof of identity and citizenship
If you need a new passport, allow yourself enough time to get it.
When you apply, make sure you enter your identity details exactly as they appear on your passport or certificate of identity.
Alert
If there are any mistakes in your identity details, your application may be delayed. We may also decline your application or refuse you entry to New Zealand.
Make sure your photos are acceptable for a New Zealand visa.
Visa and NZeTA photos
Your photo must be less than 6 months old and clearly identify you. It must also meet all of our technical requirements.Meeting our photo requirements
If your photo does not meet all of our requirements we will ask you for a new photo.
If you are applying for a visa, we will stop processing your application until we receive an acceptable photo. If you are requesting an NZeTA, your request may be delayed or refused.
Visa and NZeTA photos are not passport photos
Use the photo examples on this page to check your photo is correct and meets our requirements.
Alert
Do not use the New Zealand Department of Internal Affairs website or other online tools to check your photo as those tools are for passport photos only.
Using a professional photographer
Your photo is more likely to be accepted if you use a professional photographer or business that takes passport photos. Give the photographer our instructions to make sure you get a photo that meets our requirements.
Paper applications for visas
The photo you submit with a paper application must be 35 mm wide and 45 mm high. Further instructions are on the paper application forms.
Note
You can only apply for an NZeTA online.
Online applications for visas
The photo you submit with an online application must be:
- between 500 KB and 3 MB
- between 900 x 1,200 pixels and 2,250 x 3,000 pixels, and
- a JPG or JPEG file.
Alert
We are unlikely to accept your photo if it is not the right size.
Online requests for NZeTAs
If you request an NZeTA using the web app, you can either upload an existing photo or take one using your device's camera.
If you use the mobile app, you can only take a photo using your device's camera.
Your photo must be:
- less than 10 MB, and
- a JPG or JPEG file.
If you take a photo with your device, the camera must have a minimum resolution of 540 x 720 pixels. Large photos will be automatically formatted.
Online photo error messages
If there is an issue with your photo you will receive an error message when you submit your visa or NZeTA photo online. To help you, we have provided a list of online errors and how to fix them.
Taking your visa photo
Your photo must:
Be in portrait, not landscape
Be of you, not a photo of a photo or your travel document
Have even lighting with minimal shadowing
Be in colour, showing natural skin tones
Be in focus, not blurry
Not contain red-eye
Be an original photo, not changed by photo-editing software
Not be a selfie
Be taken 1.5 metres from the face
Be taken against a plain, light-coloured — but not white — background with no patterns or objects
Only contain plain clothing patterns
Be of one person
We need to clearly see your face
Face the camera and keep your head straight
Keep your eyes open and mouth closed
Do not smile or frown
Show your face clearly and that long hair is tucked behind your ears
Position yourself in the middle of the photo
Remove sunglasses and hats
If you wear prescription glasses
Make sure your eyes show clearly through the lenses, with no reflected light
It may be easier to remove them.
If you wear a head covering for religious or medical reasons
Make sure that your face and hairline can be seen in the photo
File formats for uploading documents and photos
All documents uploaded must be PDFs and all images must be JPEG or JPG.Documents must be in PDF format
All documents you upload must be in a PDF format and as a single file. For example, if your bank statement is 4 pages, it must be uploaded as a single file and not 4 separate files. Try to avoid uploading multiple copies of the same document.
To merge pages, you can paste documents into a Microsoft Word document and save it as a PDF or use an online PDF merging tool.
Alert
Password protected or compressed files will be rejected by Immigration Online.
Creating PDF documents — wikihow.com
Reducing PDF document file size — wikihow.com
Merging PDF documents — wikihow.com
Passports and travel documents
If you are uploading a copy of your passport or travel document, it should clearly show your information page. This is the page with your photo, name, date of birth and document details such as your passport number and issuing location.
If you are applying for a Permanent Resident Visa, Second or Subsequent Resident Visa, Transit Visa or a variation of travel conditions for a resident visa
Each person included in your application will be asked to upload a scan of the information page of their passport or travel document at the beginning of the application.
The scan should only include the passport information page. You can upload a separate scan of any other required passport pages in the 'Supporting documents' section of the application.
Make sure the scan of the passport information page:
- is high-quality
- can be easily read including all your personal details
- includes the MRZ code - the string of characters on the bottom of the information page of your passport
- does not have any glare or discolouration.
Document size
Check the document file size requirements in the form you are completing. Make sure the documents you upload are not larger than what is allowed.
Photographs must be in JPG or JPEG format
You need to upload a photo of yourself showing a full-front view of your face as part of your application. Visa photos have specific requirements such as no smiling and no hair covering your face.
Face image
You are required to upload a photo showing a full-front view of your face as part of the application.
If you need to convert your photo to the JPG or JPEG format before you upload it, read the instructions on the wikiHow website.
Book medical appointments, if required
After you apply online, we will contact you if we need you to organise a medical appointment. Your appointment should be for no earlier than 3 months before your arrival.
Apply for police certificates, if required
Check what you will need to include for a work visa.
Character requirements for New Zealand visas
To be given a New Zealand visa, you must be of good character. If you have a criminal history, have provided false or misleading information, or could be a risk to New Zealand, we can decline your application.Being of good character
Anyone applying for a New Zealand visa must meet the character requirements.
When you apply, you must tell us about any issues or activities, both current and in your past, that could affect our decision, including whether you have been:
- involved in criminal or human rights abuse activities, or
- removed or deported from another country.
If there is an issue, we may:
- decline your application, or
- give you a
or a which waive (remove) the requirements.
You can request a character waiver or special direction when you apply. If your request is approved, we can give you a visa if your application meets all other requirements.
Visas are given by special direction only in rare circumstances.
Providing police certificates
You may need to provide us with police certificates to show your good character. Whether you need to give these certificates depends on how long you plan to stay in New Zealand and the visa you are applying for.
When we process your application, we will contact you if we require police certificates from you.
Police certificates
When you apply for a visa, you may need to provide us with a police certificate to show that you are of good character.About police certificates
Depending on the visa you want, and how long you plan to stay in New Zealand, you may need to provide a police certificate as evidence of your good character.
Police certificates are documents issued by the police or a government agency. They:
- provide information about any criminal record you have
- are based on official records and checks
- are also sometimes called criminal checks, police clearance certificates or penal records.
If we ask you to provide a police certificate, you must:
- make sure the police certificate is less than 6 months old when you submit your visa application
- provide us with a translation, if it is not in English.
Providing English translations supporting documents
Find out how to get a police certificate
- are a citizen of, and
- have lived in for more than 5 years since you turned 17.
- any country you are a citizen of
- any other country where you spent 12 months or more over the last 10 years — even if those 12 months were not all in one stay.
- must provide police certificates, if you are applying for a resident visa
- may be asked to provide police certificates, if you are applying for a temporary visa to work or visit.
Applying for a visitor, student or work visa You must provide police certificates if your total time in New Zealand will be 24 months or longer across all visits. This includes any time you have spent in New Zealand in the past on other visas, even if you have been out of the country since then.
Provide police certificates from any country you:
If you are aged 16 or younger, you do not need to provide police certificates.
If you have a criminal record, we may still be able to grant you a visa. You can provide an explanation of your criminal record when you apply, and we will decide if you meet our good character requirements.
Applying for a resident visa You must provide police certificates if you are aged 17 or older.
Provide police certificates from:
Police certificates must show any criminal records you have had at any time in any of these countries — not only in the last 10 years.
If you have a criminal record, we may still be able to give you a visa. You can provide an explanation of your criminal record when you apply, and we will decide if you meet our good character requirements.
Partners supporting your application If you apply for a visa as the partner of a New Zealander or a New Zealand visa holder, your partner is known as the 'supporting partner'.
Your supporting partner must be able to show us they are of good character. They may need to provide police certificates for proof.
If your supporting partner is a New Zealand citizen or has a resident visa, they:
If your partner needs to provide police certificates, the police certificates must be from countries where they have spent 12 months or more over the last 10 years, since they turned 17 — even if the 12 months were not all in one stay.
Police certificates must show any criminal records they have had at any time in any of these countries — not only in the last 10 years.
Note
Your partner does not need to provide a New Zealand police certificate, as we will get one directly from the authorities.
If your supporting partner has a temporary visa to work or study
If your supporting partner has a work or study visa, we may ask your partner to provide police certificates, if you are applying for a temporary visa.
Your partner will not meet our character requirements if they have any convictions for
or sexual offences in the last 7 years, whether in New Zealand or in other countries. If your partner cannot prove good character
If your supporting partner cannot prove they are of good character, we may give them a
. This would mean your partner would still be able to support your visa application. If your partner has any convictions for domestic violence or sexual offences, they cannot support your application.
For all types of visa applications, we still may request police certificates from your partner to make sure they meet our character requirements.
If you have provided police certificates before
You may not need to provide police certificates if you have provided them in a previous visa application. Check the character requirements of the visa you are applying for.
Fingerprinting for police certificates
Some of the authorities that issue police certificates (the police and other government agencies) may require a set of fingerprints when you request a police certificate.
If you do need a set of fingerprints to get a police certificate, check in your region for a fingerprinting service. There are many private businesses who offer fingerprinting services.
If you cannot find a fingerprinting service in your region, you can contact the New Zealand Police to see if they can help. They only offer this service in some regions and on specific days. Contact them to check availability before going to a police station.
Note
Your police certificates must be less than 6 months old when you submit your application. Allow yourself enough time to get these certificates.
Organise proof of your qualification
Get a copy of your qualification, or a letter or academic transcript from your tertiary education provider confirming you have completed your qualification.
Organise proof you have enough money to live on
Get recent bank statements in your name that show you have at least NZD $5000.
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Step 3: Submit your application and pay the fee
To apply online, log in to your account, or set up an account if you do not have one already.
You can then fill in your application, upload your documents and pay the applicable fees.
Check the 'How to pay and submit' section for fees.
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Step 4: Wait for our decision
We will let you know if we need more information to process your application.
How long it takes to process an application
Check the 'How to pay and submit' section for timeframes.
Note
If you are already in New Zealand, you must have a valid visa. If your current temporary visa is going to expire while you are waiting for our decision, we will normally issue you an Interim Visa to let you stay in New Zealand lawfully.
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Step 5: Check your application status
Log in to your account to check the status of your application.
We will email you when we make a decision.
If we approve your application, we will give you an eVisa and email you a copy.
Checking you visa application status
Check the 'While you are in New Zealand' section to find out what you can and cannot do when you come to New Zealand.
How to apply on paper
Follow these steps to complete your application on paper.
Note
An application containing all the documents we need will be processed faster.
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Step 1: Successfully complete your qualification
When you have successfully completed your New Zealand qualification you can apply for a Post Study Work Visa.
You must apply for this visa:
- no later than 3 months after the end date of your student visa for your qualification
- within 3 months of the end date of your student visa for a second qualification — if you completed a bachelor's degree immediately followed by an honours or post-graduate diploma and held consecutive student visas for these qualifications
- no later than 6 months after the end date of your student visa if your qualification is a Doctoral degree, or
- within 12 months of the end date of your student visa for your first qualification — if you immediately completed a second, higher-level, qualification in less than 30 months.
If you studied towards a Doctoral degree, you can apply for a Post Study Work Visa after submitting your thesis.
We will check our records to make sure that you are applying in time.
You must remain on a valid visa at all times while you are in New Zealand.
Note
If you do not complete the qualification recorded on your student visa, we may not approve your Post Study Work Visa application.
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Step 2: Gather your documents
The section 'Who can apply' explains the requirements for this visa and what you will need as proof.
Our guide to applying can also help you.
Get documents translated
For your application, you must provide:
- certified English translations of police and medical certificates that are not in English
- copies of the original documents.
Note
Documents must be translated by someone who meets our requirements for providing English translations.
Providing English translations of supporting documents
Check the requirements of the visa you are applying for. Provide certified translations of your documents to avoid delays processing your application.Check the visa application requirements
Residence visa applications
All supporting documents submitted with your resident visa application must be provided in English or include an English translation.
Visitor visa applications
Visitor visa requirements are changing
From 26 May 2025, supporting document translations for visitor visa applications will no longer need to be certified.
Changes to certification requirements for translations of visitor visa supporting documentsExamples of documents that require full translation include:
- proof of funds — such as bank statements, pay records (proof of funds must be fully translated, partial translations may not be accepted)
- flight itineraries including return tickets
- proof of employment in your home country
- leave of absence documentation
- identity documents other than passports — for example, Hukou for Chinese nationals.
All other visa applications
You must provide us with full certified English translations of all medical and police certificates. This includes police certificates that record no convictions.
Note
If your other evidence is not in English, you should provide a translated copy, as this will help us to process your application faster.
Our requirements for translated documents
Immigration New Zealand does not translate documents on behalf of visa applicants. You must pay for certified translations.
Who can complete a certified translation
You can provide certified translations completed by:
- reputable private or official translation businesses
- community members known for their accurate translations.
We do not accept translations completed by the applicant, family members, or the immigration adviser assisting with your application.
We will accept translations from a licensed immigration adviser (LIA) who is:
- a trustworthy person within the community
- known to translate documents accurately
- not an adviser on the application.
Using the English spelling of the name in your passport
Check your passport to see if it has your name written in English. Ask your translator to use this spelling when they translate your documents.
If a translator used a different spelling of your name in your translated documents, then include this spelling of your name in the 'other names' section of the visa application form.
Include your 'other names' in the application form
We need to know if you have used other names that are in your translated documents.
For example, if:
- you have a different birth name, or name from a marriage or adoption
- you have other passports with a different name
- the translator used a different name or spelling when translating your documents into English.
In your visa application form, enter all other names that you have used in the section called 'other names'.
Check your translated document
Each translation must:
- be on the translation business’s official letterhead, if possible
- certified as a correct translation by the translator
- stamped or signed by the translator or translation business.
Submitting your original foreign language documents
When you apply for your visa, the supporting documents that you provide us are the:
- original document in a foreign language, and
- a certified English translation of the document.
How you provide the documents depends on if you are applying online or on a paper form.
If applying online, make sure all scanned copies are clear and readable.We may not need an original document or its certified copy in the following situations:
- if we asked for uncertified copies in our form or guide
- if you submitted a legible scan of the original document in the online form
- if you submitted a legible copy of the original document for a temporary entry visa.
When we process your application, we will contact you if we need you to send us a document.
Organise proof of identity and citizenship
If you need a new passport, allow yourself enough time to get it.
When you apply, make sure you enter your identity details exactly as they appear on your passport or certificate of identity.
Alert
If there are any mistakes in your identity details, your application may be delayed. We may also decline your application or refuse you entry to New Zealand.
Make sure your photos are acceptable for a New Zealand visa.
Visa and NZeTA photos
Your photo must be less than 6 months old and clearly identify you. It must also meet all of our technical requirements.Meeting our photo requirements
If your photo does not meet all of our requirements we will ask you for a new photo.
If you are applying for a visa, we will stop processing your application until we receive an acceptable photo. If you are requesting an NZeTA, your request may be delayed or refused.
Visa and NZeTA photos are not passport photos
Use the photo examples on this page to check your photo is correct and meets our requirements.
Alert
Do not use the New Zealand Department of Internal Affairs website or other online tools to check your photo as those tools are for passport photos only.
Using a professional photographer
Your photo is more likely to be accepted if you use a professional photographer or business that takes passport photos. Give the photographer our instructions to make sure you get a photo that meets our requirements.
Paper applications for visas
The photo you submit with a paper application must be 35 mm wide and 45 mm high. Further instructions are on the paper application forms.
Note
You can only apply for an NZeTA online.
Online applications for visas
The photo you submit with an online application must be:
- between 500 KB and 3 MB
- between 900 x 1,200 pixels and 2,250 x 3,000 pixels, and
- a JPG or JPEG file.
Alert
We are unlikely to accept your photo if it is not the right size.
Online requests for NZeTAs
If you request an NZeTA using the web app, you can either upload an existing photo or take one using your device's camera.
If you use the mobile app, you can only take a photo using your device's camera.
Your photo must be:
- less than 10 MB, and
- a JPG or JPEG file.
If you take a photo with your device, the camera must have a minimum resolution of 540 x 720 pixels. Large photos will be automatically formatted.
Online photo error messages
If there is an issue with your photo you will receive an error message when you submit your visa or NZeTA photo online. To help you, we have provided a list of online errors and how to fix them.
Taking your visa photo
Your photo must:
Be in portrait, not landscape
Be of you, not a photo of a photo or your travel document
Have even lighting with minimal shadowing
Be in colour, showing natural skin tones
Be in focus, not blurry
Not contain red-eye
Be an original photo, not changed by photo-editing software
Not be a selfie
Be taken 1.5 metres from the face
Be taken against a plain, light-coloured — but not white — background with no patterns or objects
Only contain plain clothing patterns
Be of one person
We need to clearly see your face
Face the camera and keep your head straight
Keep your eyes open and mouth closed
Do not smile or frown
Show your face clearly and that long hair is tucked behind your ears
Position yourself in the middle of the photo
Remove sunglasses and hats
If you wear prescription glasses
Make sure your eyes show clearly through the lenses, with no reflected light
It may be easier to remove them.
If you wear a head covering for religious or medical reasons
Make sure that your face and hairline can be seen in the photo
Book medical appointments, if required
After you apply online, we will contact you if we need you to organise a medical appointment. Your appointment should be for no earlier than 3 months before your arrival.
Apply for police certificates, if required
Check what you will need to include for a work visa.
Character requirements for New Zealand visas
To be given a New Zealand visa, you must be of good character. If you have a criminal history, have provided false or misleading information, or could be a risk to New Zealand, we can decline your application.Being of good character
Anyone applying for a New Zealand visa must meet the character requirements.
When you apply, you must tell us about any issues or activities, both current and in your past, that could affect our decision, including whether you have been:
- involved in criminal or human rights abuse activities, or
- removed or deported from another country.
If there is an issue, we may:
- decline your application, or
- give you a
or a which waive (remove) the requirements.
You can request a character waiver or special direction when you apply. If your request is approved, we can give you a visa if your application meets all other requirements.
Visas are given by special direction only in rare circumstances.
Providing police certificates
You may need to provide us with police certificates to show your good character. Whether you need to give these certificates depends on how long you plan to stay in New Zealand and the visa you are applying for.
When we process your application, we will contact you if we require police certificates from you.
Police certificates
When you apply for a visa, you may need to provide us with a police certificate to show that you are of good character.About police certificates
Depending on the visa you want, and how long you plan to stay in New Zealand, you may need to provide a police certificate as evidence of your good character.
Police certificates are documents issued by the police or a government agency. They:
- provide information about any criminal record you have
- are based on official records and checks
- are also sometimes called criminal checks, police clearance certificates or penal records.
If we ask you to provide a police certificate, you must:
- make sure the police certificate is less than 6 months old when you submit your visa application
- provide us with a translation, if it is not in English.
Providing English translations supporting documents
Find out how to get a police certificate
- are a citizen of, and
- have lived in for more than 5 years since you turned 17.
- any country you are a citizen of
- any other country where you spent 12 months or more over the last 10 years — even if those 12 months were not all in one stay.
- must provide police certificates, if you are applying for a resident visa
- may be asked to provide police certificates, if you are applying for a temporary visa to work or visit.
Applying for a visitor, student or work visa You must provide police certificates if your total time in New Zealand will be 24 months or longer across all visits. This includes any time you have spent in New Zealand in the past on other visas, even if you have been out of the country since then.
Provide police certificates from any country you:
If you are aged 16 or younger, you do not need to provide police certificates.
If you have a criminal record, we may still be able to grant you a visa. You can provide an explanation of your criminal record when you apply, and we will decide if you meet our good character requirements.
Applying for a resident visa You must provide police certificates if you are aged 17 or older.
Provide police certificates from:
Police certificates must show any criminal records you have had at any time in any of these countries — not only in the last 10 years.
If you have a criminal record, we may still be able to give you a visa. You can provide an explanation of your criminal record when you apply, and we will decide if you meet our good character requirements.
Partners supporting your application If you apply for a visa as the partner of a New Zealander or a New Zealand visa holder, your partner is known as the 'supporting partner'.
Your supporting partner must be able to show us they are of good character. They may need to provide police certificates for proof.
If your supporting partner is a New Zealand citizen or has a resident visa, they:
If your partner needs to provide police certificates, the police certificates must be from countries where they have spent 12 months or more over the last 10 years, since they turned 17 — even if the 12 months were not all in one stay.
Police certificates must show any criminal records they have had at any time in any of these countries — not only in the last 10 years.
Note
Your partner does not need to provide a New Zealand police certificate, as we will get one directly from the authorities.
If your supporting partner has a temporary visa to work or study
If your supporting partner has a work or study visa, we may ask your partner to provide police certificates, if you are applying for a temporary visa.
Your partner will not meet our character requirements if they have any convictions for
or sexual offences in the last 7 years, whether in New Zealand or in other countries. If your partner cannot prove good character
If your supporting partner cannot prove they are of good character, we may give them a
. This would mean your partner would still be able to support your visa application. If your partner has any convictions for domestic violence or sexual offences, they cannot support your application.
For all types of visa applications, we still may request police certificates from your partner to make sure they meet our character requirements.
If you have provided police certificates before
You may not need to provide police certificates if you have provided them in a previous visa application. Check the character requirements of the visa you are applying for.
Fingerprinting for police certificates
Some of the authorities that issue police certificates (the police and other government agencies) may require a set of fingerprints when you request a police certificate.
If you do need a set of fingerprints to get a police certificate, check in your region for a fingerprinting service. There are many private businesses who offer fingerprinting services.
If you cannot find a fingerprinting service in your region, you can contact the New Zealand Police to see if they can help. They only offer this service in some regions and on specific days. Contact them to check availability before going to a police station.
Note
Your police certificates must be less than 6 months old when you submit your application. Allow yourself enough time to get these certificates.
Organise proof of your qualification
Get a copy of your qualification, or a letter or academic transcript from your tertiary education provider confirming you have completed your qualification.
Organise proof you have enough money to live on
Get recent bank statements in your name that show you have at least NZD $5000.
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Step 3: Complete the application form
Complete the application form and attach all supporting documents.
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Step 4: Submit your application and pay the fee
You can post or take your application to a Visa Application Centre (VAC), or post it to Immigration New Zealand.
Check the 'How to pay and submit' section for fees and where to submit your application.
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Step 5: Wait for our decision
We will let you know if we need more information to process your application.
How long it takes to process an application
Check the 'How to pay and submit' section for timeframes.
Note
If you are already in New Zealand, you must have a valid visa. If your current temporary visa is going to expire while you are waiting for our decision, we will normally issue you an Interim Visa to let you stay in New Zealand lawfully.
When we make a decision, we will email you.
If we approve your application, we will give you an eVisa and email you a copy.
Check the 'While you are in New Zealand' section to find out what you can and cannot do when you come to New Zealand.
How to pay and submit
We cannot display any process or costs information until you have provided your country details.
Enter your details so we can show information that is relevant to you.
When you get your visa
Your visa is valid from:
- the date you enter New Zealand, if you are outside New Zealand when we approve your application, or
- the date you get your visa, if you are already in New Zealand.
You must leave New Zealand before your visa expires.
When you arrive
Entry permission
You must apply for permission to enter New Zealand before you arrive. You do this by completing a New Zealand Traveller Declaration (NZTD) form.
You can start your declaration any time, but the earliest you can submit your digital NZTD is 24 hours before starting your travel to New Zealand.
A paper declaration form is available for travellers who cannot complete it online.
New Zealand Traveller Declaration
New Zealand Customs and Biosecurity also check that you meet their entry requirements.
Alert
You can be refused entry permission if you:
- do not meet our character requirements
- have had a change in circumstances since we approved your visa
- refuse to let us take your photo, fingerprints or an iris scan
- cannot provide evidence of any travel out of New Zealand or the money required to leave New Zealand.
When you travel to New Zealand on a temporary visa, your intentions must be genuine. This means that you: We use all the information we have, including the information you give us in your application, to confirm that you have genuine intentions. Alert You must answer truthfully when you complete your visa application or NZTD. If you are travelling on a visitor visa or visiting from a
If you have a visitor visa for a specific reason, you must be coming to New Zealand for that reason. For example, if you have a Medical Treatment Visitor Visa, your reason for visiting must be getting medical treatment. If you are travelling on a student visa, you must have genuine intentions to study in New Zealand. You can only work if the conditions of your student visa allow you to. If you are travelling to New Zealand to work, you must have a visa that will allow you to. Unless your visa allows you to work in any job, you must plan to work in the job, for the employer, and in the location specified in your visa. You may be asked to provide evidence of your genuine intentions: Here are some examples of evidence to show that you have genuine intentions in coming to New Zealand. To show your travel history, you could show a copy of your current and recent passports, including: If you live in a country that is not your country of citizenship, provide a copy of the visa allowing you to live in that country. If you have ever had a visa application declined by any other country, provide: If you plan to visit family or friends in New Zealand, provide their: Evidence of your travel plans while in New Zealand could include copies of: You may also need to show that you have plans to leave New Zealand at the end of your stay. This evidence could include: If you are applying for a student visa, you could provide evidence that you have: If you do not need to pay tuition fees, or if you can pay by instalment — where you make smaller payments over a period of time — you must provide confirmation from your education provider. You can also write a cover letter or statement of purpose explaining why you want to study in New Zealand. This will help us decide if you are a genuine student. If you are using an education agent or licensed immigration adviser, they cannot write the letter for you. Examples of things you could write about in your letter or statement include: If you plan to apply for another visa — for example, a work visa — after you finish your studies, include this in your cover letter or statement of purpose.
To show that you have genuine intentions to work, you will in most cases need to provide: If your visa requires you to have enough money to live on during your stay, you will need to provide evidence. This could include: Depending on your situation, you may need to provide: We consider each application based on the information and evidence we receive. If you do not provide enough evidence, it may take us longer to process your application, or we may decline your application. You must provide genuine evidence. If you or your agent provide evidence that is false or misleading, we may also decline your application. False, misleading or withheld information in visa applications Check the translation requirements for the visa you are applying for. All non-English documents must be translated when you apply for visitor and resident visas. Providing English translations of supporting documents If you are applying online, make sure your evidence is in an acceptable file format. To decide if your intentions are genuine, we look at: We look at evidence you provide with your application to check that it: When we consider information about your personal circumstances, we look at: We also look at information from your previous applications and travel to New Zealand. This can show us if you have: We might not give you a visa or allow you to enter New Zealand if we:
Genuine intentions to visit, study or work in New Zealand
Before you can get a visa or enter New Zealand to visit, work or study, we check that your reasons for coming here are genuine.
What it means to have 'genuine intentions'
Visitor visas
Student visas
Work visas
Evidence to show you have genuine intentions
Evidence of your travel history
If you live in a different country to your citizenship
Declined visa applications
Evidence you are visiting family or friends
Evidence of your travel plans
Evidence of your study plans
Evidence of your work plans
Evidence you have enough money
Evidence of your home country circumstances
evidence of your relationships with close relatives in your home country
Providing good-quality evidence
How we decide if your intentions are genuine
Evidence you provide with your application
Your personal circumstances
Your previous applications
If we decide your intentions are not genuine
If you have been refused entry to New Zealand and you still want to travel to here, contact the Customer Service Centre for advice. You may need to apply for a visa before you travel here again. Together with your airline or other carrier, we can stop you from travelling to New Zealand if you do not meet our entry requirements — for example, if you cannot provide evidence that you can meet the conditions of your visa. When you arrive we check your identity and other information again before we give you
Alert Having a visa does not guarantee that you will be allowed to enter New Zealand. Your airline or other carrier can be fined if they let you board an aircraft or ship after we have let them know that you cannot travel. We can stop you from travelling to New Zealand if: We can stop you travelling to New Zealand or entering the country if you: We can also refuse to let you travel to or enter New Zealand if you cannot show us evidence to support the conditions of your visa. For example, you cannot show us evidence that you: Genuine intentions to visit, study or work in NZ If your circumstances have changed and you can no longer meet the conditions of your visa we can also refuse to let you enter New Zealand. For example, if your work visa is based on a job offer that has since been withdrawn you will not be allowed to travel to New Zealand on that visa. You cannot come to New Zealand if you do not meet our health and character requirements. For example, you can be refused entry if: You could be refused entry to New Zealand if you:
What might stop you from being allowed to enter New Zealand
Together with your airline or other carrier, we can stop you from travelling to New Zealand if you do not meet our entry requirements. For example, if you cannot provide evidence that you can meet the conditions of your visa.
Why we stop you travelling to or entering New Zealand
Your identity and travel documents
Information you provide to us
Meeting the conditions of your visa
Your character and health
Arriving in New Zealand
While you are in New Zealand
Your visa conditions are recorded in your eVisa.
Travel
If you are travelling in and out of New Zealand, your visa must have a valid
Check or change your visa conditions
The travel conditions are recorded in your eVisa.
Alert
If your visa does not have a multiple-entry travel condition and you leave New Zealand, your visa will expire.
Unless your visa states "Return/onward travel not required" you must have a ticket to leave New Zealand whenever you travel here.
Work
If you have a non-degree level 7 or lower qualification and your qualification is on the list of qualifications eligible for a Post Study Work Visa, you must work in a job that is related to what you studied — this will be listed in the conditions on your visa.
You can apply for a Post Study Work Visa if you have completed: Alert If you applied for your student visa before 12 May 2022, and your qualification is not on the list of qualifications eligible for a Post Study Work Visa, you may still be able to apply for a Post Study Work Visa, but you will need to have an
You can find more information about the New Zealand Qualifications and Credentials Framework levels on the New Zealand Qualifications Authority website. About the New Zealand Qualifications and Credentials Framework (NZQCF) If you applied for your student visa before 12 May 2022 and your qualification is not on the list of Qualifications Eligible for a Post Study Work Visa, you may still be eligible for a Post Study Work Visa, but you will need to have an
For your qualification to be acceptable: About the New Zealand Qualifications and Credentials Framework (NZQCF) - NZQA website Your qualification at level 7 or higher is acceptable if your course lasted 30 weeks or more. Your Level 4, 5 or 6 qualification is acceptable if you: Note You may also be eligible for a Post Study Work Visa if you have completed an acceptable qualification, as stated above, on a student visa that you held, or had applied for, on 08 August 2018. English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) qualifications are not acceptable. You can find more information about the New Zealand Qualifications and Credentials Framework levels on the New Zealand Qualifications Authority website. About the New Zealand Qualifications and Credentials Framework (NZQCF) - NZQA website
Qualifications needed for a Post Study Work Visa
Check what qualifications you need to have recently completed in New Zealand to apply for a Post Study Work Visa. This could depend on when you applied for your student visa.
Who can apply for a Post Study Work Visa
Qualification
Knowledge requirements (focus area)
Related jobs
A Graduate Diploma at NZQF Level 7
Highway engineering or civil engineering
Construction Project Manager
A Graduate Diploma at NZQF Level 7
Construction management or construction project management
Construction Project Manager or Project Builder
A Graduate Diploma at NZQF Level 7
Construction
Project Builder
A Graduate Diploma in Construction at NZQF Level 7
Quantity Surveying
Quantity Surveyor
A Graduate Diploma in Quantity Surveying at NZQF Level 7
not applicable (N/A)
Quantity Surveyor
A Graduate Diploma acceptable to the Teaching Council of Aotearoa New Zealand for registration
and
The applicant meets all the Council’s other requirements for teacher registration and certification.
Registration and Certification — Teaching Council of Aotearoa New ZealandN/A
Primary, Intermediate or Secondary School Teacher
Graduate Diploma in Teaching (Early Childhood Education) or comparable qualification that is acceptable to the Teaching Council of Aotearoa New Zealand for registration.
and
The applicant meets all the Council’s other requirements for teacher registration and certification.
Registration and Certification — Teaching Council of Aotearoa New ZealandN/A
Early Childhood Teacher
A qualification at NZQF Level 7, with a letter from Engineering New Zealand certifying that the qualification and any further learning meet the benchmark requirements towards Chartered Professional Engineer professional status in New Zealand.
N/A
Engineer or Civil, Electrical, Electronic, Mechanical Engineering Technician
A Diploma at NZQF Level 6 or higher with a minimum of 240 credits
Highway engineering, construction or construction management
Construction Project Manager or Project Builder
A Diploma at NZQF Level 6 or higher with a minimum of 240 credits
Civil engineering
Construction Project Manager or Civil Engineering Technician
New Zealand Diploma in Engineering (Level 6) with a strand in Civil Engineering, 240 credits
N/A
Construction Project Manager or Civil Engineering Technician
New Zealand Diploma in Construction (Quantity Surveying) Level 6 or higher
N/A
Quantity Surveyor or Project Builder
New Zealand Diploma in Construction (Level 6 or higher) with a strand in Quantity Surveying, 240 credits
N/A
Quantity Surveyor or Project Builder
New Zealand Diploma in Construction (Level 6 or higher) with a strand in Construction Economics, Construction Management or Building, 240 credits
N/A
Project Builder
New Zealand Diploma in Engineering (Level 6) with a strand in Electrical Engineering, 240 credits
N/A
Telecommunications, Telecommunications Network Engineer or Electrical Engineering Technician
New Zealand Diploma in Engineering (Level 6 or higher) with a strand in Electronics Engineering, 240 credits
N/A
Electronic Engineering Technician
New Zealand Diploma in Engineering (Level 6 or higher) with a strand in Mechanical Engineering
N/A
Mechanical Engineering Technician
A diploma at NZQF Level 5 or higher
Farm management, agriculture or dairy technology
Dairy Cattle Farmer
A certificate at NZQF Level 4 or higher
New Zealand Certificate in Automotive Electrical Engineering (NZQF Level 4)
Automotive Electrician
A certificate at NZQF Level 4 or higher
New Zealand Certificate in Heavy Automotive Engineering (NZQF Level 4)
Diesel Motor Mechanic
A certificate at NZQF Level 4 or higher
Dairy Farming or Livestock Farming strands of the New Zealand Certificate in Agriculture (Level 4)
Dairy Cattle Farmer
New Zealand Certificate in Automotive Electrical Engineering (Level 4)
N/A
Automotive Electrician
New Zealand Certificate in Heavy Automotive Engineering (NZQF Level 4)
N/A
Diesel Motor Mechanic
New Zealand Certificate in Agriculture (Level 4) with a strand in Dairy Farming or Livestock Farming
N/A
Dairy Cattle Farmer
If you applied for your student visa before 12 May 2022
Work out if your qualification is acceptable
If your qualification is Level 7 or higher
If you studied at Levels 4 to 6
If you studied English language
If you have a degree level 7 or higher qualification, you can work in almost any job for any employer in New Zealand.
Note
You cannot provide commercial sexual services, or run or invest in a business that provides commercial sexual services.
Study
You can study for up to 3 months in any 12-month period.
Note
You may be able to do other study if it is required by your employer as part of your employment.
If you want to study longer than 3 months, you can apply for a variation of conditions to your work visa.