New changes to the New Zealand visitor visa application process, aimed at facilitating the requirements for translating supporting documents, will soon be introduced.
The decision has been confirmed through a statement by New Zealand Immigration, VisaGuide.World reports.
From May 26, supporting document translations for visitor visa applications will no longer be required to be certified, aligning New Zealand’s English translation requirements with Australia.
Applicants must still provide translations for all supporting documents for visitor visa applications not in English, as well as advice who translated it and the qualification/experience of the translator.
The statement also notes that supporting documents cannot be translated by the applicant, immigration adviser, or a family member assisting with the application.
Certified translations are still required for all documents submitted to support an application for a resident visa.
The new changes aim to streamline the application process and reduce applicants’ obstacles, making the travel process to New Zealand easier.
New Changes to Visa Fees
In October 2024, authorities in New Zealand applied new changes to the filing fees. From October 1, 2024, visa charges were changed in order to cover the costs of processing visas as part of efforts to better align with the benefits received by users of immigration services.
Immigration plays an important role in the country’s economy, workforce, and society. The new changes were considered fair, arguing that applicants benefiting from these services contribute to their costs.
The increase in visa fees was announced by the government in August 2024. Besides, back then, it was reported that from September 2024, the International Visitor Conservation and Tourism Levy (IVL) would also increase from the same date.
The IVL, applied to the majority of visa and NzeTA applications, increased to a total of NZD 100 (US$62).
Facilitated Entry Rules for Pacific Island Citizens
Previously, authorities in New Zealand announced that from July 6, 2025, nationals from Pacific Islands From countries with a visitor visa would be permitted to travel to New Zealand multiple times within 24 months.
The decision was confirmed through a statement provided by the Ministry of Business Innovation and Employment.
Anyone holding a passport from a Pacific Islands Forum country with a valid Australian visitor, work, student, or family visa, will be able to come to New Zealand from Australia with a New Zealand Electronic Travel Authority (NZeTA) for up to three months, rather than applying for a visa.
However, nationals from Pacific Islands Forum countries will still need to obtain an appropriate visa to enter NZ.