From 1 December 2025, Immigration New Zealand (INZ) will only accept police clearance certificates (PCC) issued by the Regional Passport Office (RPO) of India. The change aims to streamline the visa process, reduce delays, and ensure documents are easier to verify.
Key requirements include:
Only RPO-issued certificates will be accepted.
PCC must be less than 6 months old at submission.
If issued in a regional language, an English translation is required.
Some offices may require fingerprinting.
Certificates may remain valid for up to one year unless INZ requests a new one.
Applicants under 16 years do not need to provide a PCC.
Previously, Indian applicants could submit certificates from local police stations or district officials, but INZ found these documents inconsistent and harder to authenticate.
Police certificates are required for student, work, or visitor visa applicants if their total stay in New Zealand reaches 24 months or more. Applicants must also provide certificates from any country where they are a citizen or have lived for more than five years since turning 17.
Applicants with a criminal history can still apply but must disclose their records. INZ will then decide if they meet “good character” requirements. In rare cases, applicants may be granted a character waiver or special direction.
How to apply for an Indian PCC online:
1. Register on the Passport Seva Online Portal.
2. Log in and complete the application form.
3. Pay the ₹500 fee and book an appointment.
4. Visit the Passport Seva Kendra (PSK) or RPO with original documents.
