In plain English
If your student or temporary visa needs a police certificate, upload it when you apply. INZ won’t usually ask for a missing one — the application may be declined or granted for less time.
Key points
- Receipts or proof of applying aren’t accepted (except Fiji, Hong Kong and Israel).
- Offshore applicants staying over 24 months are likely to be declined without one.
- Order police certificates early — timeframes vary by country.
Who’s affected
Student and temporary visa applicants.
What you should do
Order your certificate before anything else.
Immigration New Zealand, “Police certificates are now required upfront”, published 1 July 2026. Read the full announcement. Summary by Destination NZI; INZ content © Crown, licensed under CC BY 3.0 NZ.
Related visas
For students paying international fees themselves or with family, loan or partial scholarship support. Needs an offer of place.
- Stay
- Up to 4 years
- INZ visa fee
- From NZD $850
- Processing
- 80% within 7 weeks
+ our service fee, quoted upfront
Study up to 3 courses back to back on one visa with a Pathway offer of place and the funds for fees and living costs.
- Stay
- Up to 5 years
- INZ visa fee
- From NZD $750
- Processing
- 80% within 7 weeks
+ our service fee, quoted upfront
Brings your children to primary or secondary school while you hold an eligible work or student visa.
- Stay
- Same as the parent’s visa
- INZ visa fee
- From NZD $750
- Processing
- 80% within 8 weeks
+ our service fee, quoted upfront
