Do we have to get our documents certified by an authorised person?

If you are applying for a Residence From Work Visa which is a paper-based application, yes you will need to have your documents certified by a Justice of Peace, Lawyer or Notary Public. All digital applications submitted via the Immigration NZ website do not require certified hardcopies of original documents.

I’m a citizen of more than one country. Will I need to provide proof of my citizenships?

Yes. If you are a citizen of more than one country, you will need to provide proof of your citizenship in each country. This includes passport copies and/or citizenship certificates.

I’m bringing my child with me to New Zealand but I’m divorced from their parent. Will I need to provide proof of custody?

Yes. If you are divorced or separated from your spouse or partner and have children together who are 16 years of age or under, and your child(ren) will be moving to New Zealand with you, it is essential that both parties have agreed on child custody arrangements and have prepared the required legal documents as proof of this agreement.

I have lived in more than one country for the past ten years. Will I need to provide Police Clearance Certificates from each country?

Yes. If you are applying for a work visa, you need a police clearance certificate from any country of citizenship and any country you have lived in for five years or more since the age of 17. If you are applying for a residence visa, you need a police clearance certificate from any country of citizenship and any country you have lived in for 12 months or more in the last 10 years since the age of 17.

This includes cumulative time you physically spent in each country. For example, you spent 6 months in a
country, then left for 3 months, then returned for another 6 months, you’ll be required to provide a police clearance certificate from that country.