New Zealand Revises Police Clearance Certificate Guidelines for Indian Visa Applicants starting December 1, 2025

Highlights: Indians Applying for New Zealand Visas Must Get PCCs from Regional Passport Offices from December 2025

• From December 1, 2025, only Police Clearance Certificates (PCCs) issued by India’s Regional Passport Offices (RPOs) will be accepted for New Zealand visa applications.
• PCCs issued by local police stations, Deputy Commissioners, or Superintendent Offices will no longer be valid.
• The change has been introduced to ensure consistent formats and easier authentication of documents.
• The new rule applies to Indian nationals applying for visas from within India.
• Indian nationals residing outside India and non-Indian nationals who have lived in India can continue following the existing PCC requirements.

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INZ Updates Police Clearance Rules for Indian Visa Applicants

Starting December 1, 2025, Indian nationals applying for New Zealand visas must present a Police Clearance Certificate (PCC) issued only by the Regional Passport Office (RPO) of the Ministry of External Affairs.

This update replaces the old system where PCCs from local police stations, Deputy Commissioners, or Superintendents of Police were accepted. Immigration New Zealand (INZ) found these certificates inconsistent in format and harder to verify, which often caused processing delays.

By centralizing the requirement through the RPO, INZ aims to ensure greater consistency, authenticity, and faster verification of documents. This change is expected to streamline the visa process and reduce the chances of rejections due to unverified or inconsistent PCCs.

For Indian nationals residing outside India, as well as non-Indian nationals who have lived in India, the existing requirements remain unchanged.

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How Indian Applicants Can Prepare for the New PCC Rule

If you are planning to apply for a New Zealand visa on or after December 1, 2025, it is important to prepare in advance and follow the updated rules carefully. Here are some steps to help you stay compliant with the new PCC requirement:

• Apply for your Police Clearance Certificate directly through the Regional Passport Office (RPO).
• Factor in the processing time, as obtaining a PCC may take several weeks.
• Ensure all other supporting documents are ready in advance to avoid delays.
• Double-check that your PCC is issued in the updated format before submission.
• Seek expert advice if you are unsure about the process or timelines.

Note: By planning early and securing your PCC from the Regional Passport Office, you can avoid last-minute stress and keep your New Zealand visa application on track.
 

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