If you cannot get a passport
If you are physically present in New Zealand and cannot get a passport from your country of citizenship, or your passport is not recognised by Immigration New Zealand, you may be eligible for a Certificate of Identity or a Refugee Travel Document.
Certificate of identity
A certificate of identity is a document issued by the Department of Internal Affairs (DIA). A certificate of identity allows you to leave and return to New Zealand if you cannot get a passport. You may be able to apply for a certificate of identity if:
- you are not a New Zealand citizen
- you are physically present in New Zealand.
It is valid for up to 2 years from the date it is issued.
Refugee travel document
A refugee travel document is also issued by the Department of Internal Affairs. A refugee travel document may be issued to you if:
- you are not a New Zealand citizen, and
- you have confirmed refugee status
- you are physically present in New Zealand.
A refugee travel document is valid for up to 5 years and can be used for international travel and proving your identity.
Apply for a certificate of identity or Refugee travel document
You can find out more about applying for a certificate of identity or refugee travel document on DIA's Passports New Zealand website.
Certificate of identity or refugee travel document — DIA Passports New Zealand
Transferring your visa
If you are successful in applying for a certificate of identity, you must transfer your valid visa to your new certificate of identity before you use it to travel.
Application for transfer or confirmation of a visa
Passports we do not recognise
We do not recognise passports from some countries, territories and authorities. This means that we will not issue a visa into these passports, and we will not accept these passports for travel to New Zealand.