Providing English translations of supporting documents

Providing certified English translations of your key supporting documents means we can avoid delays and process your application quickly.

Residence applications

If you are applying for a residence visa you must provide English language translations of all your supporting documents.

Temporary entry applications

If you are applying for a temporary entry visa you must provide us with English translations of all medical and police certificates.

To ensure your visa is processed as quickly as possible you should also provide us with English translations of all other key supporting documents.

Translating your documents

We accept translations carried out by:

• the Translation Service of the Department of Internal Affairs (New Zealand)
• reputable people within the community who are known to translate documents accurately (but not applicants themselves, their immediate family or the applicant’s licensed immigration advisor)
• embassies or high commissions (if the translation is endorsed with the appropriate embassy or high commission seal), or
• any other private or official translation business.

We will also accept translations from a licensed immigration adviser who is:

• a trustworthy person within the community
• known to translate documents accurately
• not an advisor on the application.

You must pay for the translation.

Each translation must be:

• made by an experienced translator
• be on the translation business’s official letterhead, if possible
• certified as a correct translation by the translator
• stamped or signed by the translator or translation business.

Immigration New Zealand does not translate documents on behalf of applicants.

What to do with your original documents

We only need certified English translations of your original supporting documents in a foreign language. Do not send your original documents with your translated ones.