Genuine intentions to visit, study or work in New Zealand
Before you can get a visa or enter New Zealand to visit, work or study we check that your reasons for coming here are genuine — in legal terms, bona fide.
Apply for a visa
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Preparing a visa application
- Your journey to New Zealand
- Acceptable photos for a visa or NZeTA
- Application forms, guides and checklists
- Business and investment
- Character and identity
- Education, qualifications and study
- English language
- General information
- Health
- Sponsorship
- Support family
- Interactive tools
- Work and employment
- Afghan national resettlement
Character and identity
There is information here about identity, bona fide, and what good character means for temporary and resident visas.
Good character for residence visas
To get a residence class visa you must be of good character. If you have a criminal history or could be a risk to New Zealand we can decline your application.
Good character for temporary visas
To get a work, student or visitor visa you must be able to show you are of good character. If you have a criminal history or could be a risk to NZ we can decline your application.
Who needs to provide police certificates
You may need to provide police certificates to show your good character depending on how long you plan to stay in New Zealand and the visa you want.
How to get a police certificate
You may need to supply us with a police certificate as evidence of your good character, depending on which visa you apply for.
Fingerprinting services for police certificates
Some issuing authorities may require a set of fingerprints when you request a police certificate.
Supporting partner character requirements
Your partner can only support your visa application if they can show us they are of good character. They may need to provide police certificates or criminal records for proof.