Beginning May 26, 2025, New Zealand will simplify its visitor visa application process by removing the requirement for certified translations of supporting documents, a move aimed at reducing costs and improving processing times for international travellers.

The new policy, announced by Immigration New Zealand (INZ), is expected to particularly benefit applicants from non-English-speaking countries by easing access to visa services and eliminating a key bureaucratic hurdle.

Under the revised rules, visitor visa applicants will still need to provide English translations of all non-English documents. However, these translations no longer need to be certified by an official translator.

Instead, each translation must include the translator’s name, qualifications or experience, and a signed declaration confirming that the translator is not the applicant, a relative, or a licensed immigration adviser.

INZ emphasized that while certification is no longer required, the accuracy and credibility of translations remain critical. Submissions that are unclear or appear unreliable could result in delays or outright visa denials.

Immigration authorities clarified that the new policy applies solely to visitor visa applications. Certified translations will still be required for resident and permanent visa categories.

“The change is designed to make New Zealand more accessible to visitors while maintaining the integrity of the immigration process,” an INZ spokesperson stated.

The policy is expected to benefit a wide range of travellers, including: first-time visitors, short-term students and language course attendees, families visiting loved ones, business travellers and last-minute tourists, and itizens of countries where English is not the primary language

Officials noted that the update brings New Zealand’s visa documentation standards more in line with neighbouring Australia, which already operates under a more flexible translation policy for visitor visas.

INZ described the move as part of broader reforms to streamline immigration services, improve user experience, and position New Zealand as a more competitive destination for global travellers.

The change is also seen as timely, coming amid increasing demand for short-term international travel and a global push for more accessible, digitized visa processes.