Police Certificate for Immigration in New Zealand
A Police Clearance Certificate (PCC) is an official document that summarizes an individual’s criminal record or certifies the absence of any criminal record.
Purpose
New Zealand immigration authorities require it to ensure applicants meet the good character requirements for visas and immigration, including work visas, residence, or citizenship.
Alternate Names
Criminal checks, police clearance certificates, or penal records.
Security Assessment
PCCs are essential for assessing an applicant’s background for security and community safety reasons.
Requirement Details
Required from every country where the applicant has lived for 12 months or more (consecutively or cumulatively) over the last 10 years.
Take the first step towards your New Zealand dreams
General Process of Obtaining a PCC
Step 1: Application Submission
Fill out the PCC application form from local police authorities or online.
Step 2: Document Submission
Provide documents such as passport copies, address proof, and fingerprints.
Step 3: Processing
Conducted by the police or relevant government agency.
Step 4: Certificate Issuance
The issued certificate will state either the presence of a criminal record or confirm its absence.
Specific Requirements and Guidelines
Who Needs to Provide a PCC
Anyone aged 17 or over applying for any New Zealand visa category may need to provide a PCC as evidence of good character.
PCC Validity When Applying for a Visa
Certificates must be under 6 months old when submitted with the visa application.
Translation Requirements
Non-English documents must be translated into English by a certified translator.
Getting PCC From Your Country
Guidelines and Forms to Apply for a PCC
Where can user get the guidelines and forms? If there is a Immigration New Zealand page for this, we can link here. Connect with me for more.
Multi-Country Requirements
If certificates from more than one country are needed, use the provided tool on our site to manage and track the requirements for each country.
Navigate to Country-Specific PCC Information
To know detailed information on how you can obtain PCC for your country, simply click on your country below.
Not seeing your country?
Visit here, to get details for obtaining a PCC of your country.
Have Questions?
Reach out to us today, to find out how we can assist you in reaching your immigration goals.
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FAQs
Why do I need a PCC for New Zealand visa applications?
New Zealand immigration authorities require PCCs to ensure that individuals applying for visas, including work, residence, or student visas, meet the good character requirements for entry into the country.
From which countries do I need to obtain a PCC?
You must provide a PCC from:
- Every country where you have lived for 12 months or more (consecutively or cumulatively) within the last 10 years.
- Any country of which you are a citizen.
- In any country where you have lived for more than 5 years since turning 17, especially when applying for visitor, student, or work visas, your total time in New Zealand will be 24 months or longer.
How recent must my PCC be when I submit my visa application?
Police certificates must be under 6 months old when you submit your visa application to be considered valid.
What if I have a criminal record?
A criminal record does not automatically disqualify you from obtaining a New Zealand visa. When you apply, you can provide a detailed explanation of your criminal record. The immigration authorities will review your explanation to decide if you meet the good character requirements for the visa.
How do I apply for a PCC?
The application process for a PCC generally involves:
- Fill out an application form available from local police stations or government websites.
- Submitting the necessary documents, such as government-issued ID and proof of address.
- Paying any applicable fees.
- In some cases, providing fingerprints.
- Processing times can vary significantly depending on the country.
Can I use a PCC from a previous visa application?
You may not need to provide new police certificates if you have previously submitted them in a past visa application and if the certificates are still valid per the specific visa character criteria. Always check current visa application requirements, as they can change.
What are the common reasons for delays in obtaining a PCC?
Delays can occur due to incomplete application forms, missing documents, the need for fingerprints (especially if they need to be sent overseas), or delays within the issuing authority in the respective country.
How do I handle PCC applications if I currently live abroad?
You should apply through the embassy or consulate of the country from which you need the PCC or directly online if the service is available. Some countries also allow third-party services to assist with the application process from abroad.
What if the country I lived in does not issue PCCs?
In cases where countries do not issue PCCs, New Zealand immigration may accept alternative documents or written statements confirming the non-availability of such certificates, accompanied by affidavits about your criminal record history.
