Providing your passport for an online application
How to provide a digital copy of your passport or send us your original passport so we can verify your identity.
What to provide
You do not need to send us a physical copy of your passport.
You must upload a high-quality a scan of the information page of your passport or travel document. Your scan must be in PDF format and less than 10MB in size.
If you are including your partner or dependent children in your application, you must upload high-quality scans of the information pages of their passports too.
Your passport information page is the page with your photo, name, date of birth and document details like passport number, expiry and issuing authority. Make sure your scan also includes the MRZ code — the string of characters at the bottom of the information page.
For some visa types, our system will read the identity and document details in your passport scan and fill in these fields for you in the application form. Check the details in the application form are correct and fix any mistakes. If all the information is correct you do not need to do anything and can continue with your application.
You may also be asked to provide a scanned copy of other pages of your passport. For example all pages with visa records, and entry and exit stamps.
Examples and common issues with passport scans
Your passport scan must be clear and in focus or it may be rejected by our system. Check our ‘Common issues with passport scans’ page to find an example of what we accept, and how to avoid your passport being rejected by our system.
Common issues with passport scans
Converting an image to a PDF
Your phone or device may be able to convert an image to a PDF using the default gallery or photo app. If it does not have this feature, you can search the web or your app store to find a tool that converts images to PDFs.
If you are using a third party web tool or app to convert an image to a PDF, make sure that it does not leave a watermark on the PDF. PDFs with watermarks will not be accepted by our system.
You can find guidance on creating PDF documents on our 'File formats for uploading documents and photos' page.
File formats for uploading documents and photos
Upload other passport or travel document pages
You can upload any other pages with visa records, entry and exit stamps in the 'Identity evidence' fields in the 'Supporting documents' section of your application form.
Transferring a visa to a new passport
If you renew your passport before you travel, you must transfer your eVisa or the visa label to your new passport.
Transferring a visa to a new passport
You may not be able to come to New Zealand if your visa and passport do not match in our system.
Providing your physical passport
If we need to see your physical passport to confirm your identity, we will:
- email you after you submit your application
- tell you on the acknowledgement page when you complete your online application.
Most people do not need to provide their physical passport.
If you are not sure if you need to send your passport, check the final page of your completed visa application in your Immigration Online account.
Alert
If you do not send your passport within the time we specify, we may delay processing your application or decline it.
Sending your passport from outside New Zealand
If you are applying from outside New Zealand, send your passport to your nearest Visa Application Centre (VAC) or Immigration New Zealand (INZ) office. We must receive it within 20 working days from when we ask for it. Most people use a courier or postal tracking service to send us their passports.
Offices outside of New Zealand (Visa Application Centres)
Postal addresses for sending paper documents
Countries that cannot use a VAC
We will contact you with instructions about where and how to send your passport if you:
- do not have access to a VAC, or
- are from Algeria, Morocco or Tunisia and applying from one of those countries.
Sending your passport in New Zealand
Check our postal addresses page for where to send your passport in New Zealand. Use a signature-required courier service so it arrives quickly.
Postal addresses for sending paper documents
Sending your passport to a VAC
You may have to pay a fee to send your passport to a VAC. You can find the handling fee on the website of your nearest VAC. Fill in the filters and select the tab called ‘Passport handling for online application’.
VFS Global for individuals — VFS Global
Getting your passport returned from a VAC or INZ office
If you sent your passport to a VAC, they contact you with the tracking details after they send your passport back to you. If you have any questions or concerns about the return of your passport, contact the VAC directly.
Note
The VAC may not send your passport back to you until after we have made a decision about your visa application.
If you sent your passport to an INZ office, you receive a tracking number after we send it back to you. Contact the courier company if you have any questions about delivery. For any other questions or concerns, contact us.
Urgent return of passports
If you need your passport urgently, contact the INZ officer processing your application.
When you contact them, include:
- your client number or application number
- why you need your passport urgently, and
- your contact information.
Children endorsed on your passport
If your child is endorsed on your passport, we will accept this as the child's travel document when they travel to New Zealand — but they must still meet all relevant requirements, including having an NZeTA or a visa. When you apply for your child's NZeTA or visa, you will need to enter your own passport details.