Indian nationals applying for New Zealand visas must now follow updated rules for police clearance certificates (PCCs). Immigration New Zealand recently revised guidelines for Indian applicants residing in India to make the process more secure and standardized.

New Police Clearance Certificate Requirement

Starting 1 December 2025, Immigration New Zealand will accept only police clearance certificates issued by Regional Passport Offices of the Indian Ministry of External Affairs. Certificates from local police stations or offices of the Deputy Commissioner or Superintendent of Police will no longer be valid.

This change ensures that PCCs submitted to Immigration New Zealand are consistent, verifiable, and meet immigration standards. Previously, Indian applicants could submit PCCs from local police stations. However, these were inconsistent and harder to authenticate.

Who Is Affected?

  • Indian nationals residing in India applying for a New Zealand visa after 1 December 2025.

  • Applicants outside India or non-Indian nationals who currently or previously lived in India are not affected.

Important Guidelines for Applicants

  1. Timing Matters: Obtaining a PCC can take time. Applicants should request it well before submitting their visa application.

  2. Certificate Validity: PCCs must be less than six months old at the time of submission.

  3. Translations: If the certificate is not in English, applicants must provide a certified translation.

  4. Fingerprint Requirement: Some authorities may require fingerprints. Applicants should check local fingerprinting services if needed.

Visas Requiring Police Certificates

PCCs are needed for:

  • Visitor visas

  • Student visas

  • Work visas

Applicants must provide PCCs if their total stay in New Zealand will be 24 months or longer, including past visits. Applicants who previously submitted valid PCCs may not need a new certificate, depending on their situation.

Takeaway

Indian nationals applying for a New Zealand visa after 1 December 2025 must ensure their PCC is issued only by a Regional Passport Office. This rule aims to streamline immigration processing and improve document authenticity.

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