- Effective May 26, 2025, New Zealand will no longer require certified translations for supporting documents in visitor visa applications.
- The reform aims to reduce costs and application delays.
- This change is particularly beneficial for visitors from non-English-speaking countries, facilitating easier entry into New Zealand.
Beginning May 26, 2025, New Zealand will remove the necessity for certified translations of supporting papers from the visitor visa application procedure.
This reform is intended to lower expenses and decrease application delays, making it easier for visitors, particularly those from non-English-speaking countries, to enter the country.
The amended regulation eliminates the requirement for visiting visa applicants to furnish certified translations.
Non-English documents will still require English translations.
These translations must include the translator’s identity, qualifications or experience, and a signed declaration stating that the translator is not the applicant, a family member, or an immigration counsel.
While certification is no longer required, translation accuracy and reputation are still crucial. Immigration New Zealand (INZ) warns that inaccurate, deceptive, or unsuitable translations might result in delays or visa refusals.
Scope of the New Policy
Immigration officials noted that this policy change solely pertains to visitor visas and does not effect permanent visa applications.
“Certified translations will remain mandatory for permanent residency applications.”
Officials claim that the removal of the certification criterion is a cost-cutting measure intended to increase access for applicants in countries where certified translation services are expensive or impossible to obtain.
It is also intended to shorten visa processing delays, making New Zealand a more appealing location for overseas visitors.
This modification brings New Zealand’s visa documentation requirements in line with Australia’s more flexible rules, and it is intended to assist a wide range of travelers, including tourists, short-term students, and families visiting the nation.
Benefits for applicants:
Cost savings: Certified translations can be costly. Removing this requirement will save applicants a lot of money.
Faster processing: Certified translations frequently cause delays. This adjustment will help to expedite the visa procedure, allowing travelers to arrange their visits more conveniently.
Accessibility: Applicants from countries where certified translation providers are few or bureaucratic will no longer have a disadvantage.
Who benefits the most?
- First-time visitors in New Zealand
- Students enrolled in short-term study programmes or language courses
- Frequent travellers between Australia and New Zealand.
- Families visit loved ones or attend activities.
- Citizens from non-English-speaking nations
This policy is particularly beneficial for travelers planning family visits and reunions, short-term studies, tourism, last-minute travel, business travels, and conferences.
Immigration New Zealand highlighted the change as part of a larger effort to modernize and streamline visa procedures, allowing more people to enjoy the country’s natural landscapes, cultural history, and tourism attractions.
