New Zealand updates police clearance certificate requirements for Indian visa applicants

Starting December 1, 2025, Immigration New Zealand will accept police clearance certificates from Indian visa applicants only if issued by a Regional Passport Office of the Indian Ministry of External Affairs. This change applies to Indian nationals residing in India.

Previously, applicants could submit certificates from a Deputy Commissioner or Superintendent of Police office, or from their local police station. Immigration New Zealand stated that these certificates are inconsistent in format and harder to verify, thus, updated the rule.

This change applies only to Indian nationals residing in India. Requirements for Indians living abroad and non-Indians who currently or previously lived in India remain unchanged.

Certificates must be less than six months old when submitted and must include an English translation if issued in another language. Some authorities may require fingerprinting, and applicants should check with local services or contact New Zealand Police for guidance.

New Zealand visa applicants may not need to provide a new certificate if they have submitted one in a previous application, though immigration authorities can request additional certificates if the existing one becomes a year old.

This change is introduced to standardise police certificates for visa processing and reduce delays caused by inconsistent documentation.