New Zealand: relaxation of certified translation rules for visitor visas from May 2025

Good news for international travelers! From May 26, 2025, Immigration New Zealand (INZ) modifies its requirements in terms of translation of documents for visitor visa applications long stay. From now on certified translations are no longer required for supporting documents in languages other than English.

Extract from the official website Immigration New Zealand

Concrete changes

As of May 26, 2025, applicants for visitor visas to New Zealand will still be required to provide translations of their non-English documents. official certification will no longer be required. This development brings New Zealand closer to Australia's more flexible policy in this area, and is intended to make the procedure more flexible. faster, cheaper and less complex.

Key points to remember :

• Certified translations not required for visitor visas.
• Translations still mandatorybut must now include :
  • Translator's name
  • Qualifications or experience
  • A declaration that the translator is not the applicant, a family member or an immigration consultant
• Please note: this measure only applies to visitor visas. For resident visascertified translations are still required.

Comparison table: before/after

Requirement	Before May 26, 2025	From May 26, 2025
Certified translation required	Yes	No
Who can translate?	Certified translator	All qualified translators
Proof to be provided	Certification	Name, qualifications and declaration

What's in it for me?

• Lower costs: Certified translations represent a significant cost, now avoided.
• Accelerated procedure : Gone are the delays associated with certification, and the process will be much smoother.
• Equal access : Candidates from countries where certified translation services are rare or expensive will no longer be at a disadvantage.

Who will benefit?

This change is particularly beneficial for applications for long-stay visitor visas:

• At first-time visitors in New Zealand
• At students on short programs
• At frequent travelers between Australia and New Zealand
• At families visiting their loved ones
• At nationals of non-English-speaking countries

Plan your trip to New Zealand!

Thanks to this simplification, planning a trip to New Zealand has never been easier. Whether it's to discover its spectacular landscapes, national parks or Maori culture, this new measure makes the destination even more accessible.

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