Q: What is the reason for a Police Certicate, who has to submit one and how do I obtain that Police Certificate?

A: First of all, the reason is that everyone who wishes to come to New Zealand, whether temporarily or permanently, is required to be of good character.  In order for the Immigration New Zealand (INZ) to determine whether you are of good character, you must provide police certificates, or similar, if necessary.

The following rules are applicable in obtaining a Police Certificate;

Residence 

    * All applicants aged 17 years or over are required to provide police certificates at the time a residence application is lodged.
    * If you have lived for periods of twelve months or more in any other countries during the last ten years, you must obtain additional police certificates from these countries, and also your country(ies) of citizenship unless you can provide satisfactory evidence that you have never lived there.
    * Police certificates must be less than six months old at the time you lodge your residence application.
 
Temporary Entry Visa or Permit

    * All applicants aged 17 years or over who are working, visiting or studying in New Zealand for twenty four months or longer are required to provide a police certificate.
    * The police certi?cate is to be provided at the time you lodge your application.
    * Applicants must supply a police certificate from any country in which they have lived for 5 years or more since attaining the age of 17 years as well as their country(ies) of citizenship, unless they can provide satisfactory evidence that they have never lived there.

For more specific information per country and about how to obtain a police certificate for particular countries, contact TNC .