Character and identity

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.

Find out the character requirements you need to meet to apply for a resident or permanent resident visa - if you don't meet these requirements your visa application can be declined.

Find out the character requirements that you need to meet to apply for a work, student or visitor visa - if you don't meet these requirements your visa application can be declined.

Depending on how long you plan to stay in New Zealand and the visa you apply for, you may need to provide police certificates to show your good character.

You may need to supply us with a police certificate as evidence of your good character, depending on which visa you apply for.

If you apply for a visa as the partner of a New Zealand citizen or a New Zealand visa holder, your partner must be of good character.