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.
Use our online system to apply for selected visas or check visa details. Get help to use our online services.
We have enhanced Immigration Online. You can still access applications, documents or eVisas in the old system.
There is information here about identity, bona fide, and what good character means for temporary and resident visas.
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.
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.
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.
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.
You may need to supply us with a police certificate as evidence of your good character, depending on which visa you apply for.
Some issuing authorities may require a set of fingerprints when you request a police certificate.
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.