New Zealand Eases Visitor Visa Translation Rules from May 26, 2025

Big Relief for Visitor Visa Applicants

In a traveller-friendly move, Immigration New Zealand (INZ) has announced a major update to its visitor visa application policy. Starting May 26, 2025, certified translations for non-English documents will no longer be required—a step that simplifies and speeds up the visa process for thousands of applicants.

What’s Changing — Translation Rule Update

Previously, all non-English supporting documents for a visitor visa had to be translated and certified by an approved translator. That’s no longer the case.

Now, applicants must still submit translated documents, but certification is no longer necessary, as long as the translation includes:

  • The translator’s name

  • Their qualifications or translation experience

  • A signed declaration confirming they are not the applicant, a family member, or an immigration adviser

◆ Important: This update only applies to visitor visa applications. For resident visas, certified translations are still mandatory.

Translation Requirement Before 26 May 2025 From 26 May 2025
Certified translation needed? ✅ Yes ❌ No
Who could translate? Certified professionals Any qualified translator
Proof required? Formal certification Name, qualifications, and declaration only

Why This Matters for Travellers — And Agents

This policy change puts New Zealand in line with Australia’s more relaxed approach to translations and removes a common barrier in international travel documentation.

Key Benefits:

  • Lower Costs: Avoid the hefty fees charged by certified translators

  • Faster Applications: Skip the delays involved in obtaining official certification

  • Wider Accessibility: Travellers from countries with limited certified translation services are no longer disadvantaged

Who Stands to Benefit Most?

This simplified process is particularly beneficial for:

  • First-time visitors and tourists

  • Families planning reunions or celebrations

  • Students joining short-term programs

  • Business travellers attending conferences or meetings

  • Frequent fliers travelling between Australia and New Zealand

Still Required: Proper Translations

While certification is no longer a must, the translations must still be complete and accurate, and must include:

  • Translator’s name

  • Their relevant experience or qualifications

  • A declaration of neutrality (not a family member or adviser)

A Positive Shift for the Travel Ecosystem

This change reflects New Zealand’s commitment to a simplified, traveller-first visa process. For B2B travel professionals, this is a crucial update:

• Inform clients of reduced document requirements
• Accelerate booking cycles with quicker visa prep
• Offer more competitive packages to non-English-speaking markets

With easier document handling, planning a trip to New Zealand just got faster and more affordable—ideal for travel agents, tour planners, and consolidators looking to streamline outbound bookings.

Final Thoughts

By eliminating certified translation requirements for visitor visas, New Zealand is removing friction from global travel. This thoughtful reform not only reduces costs and processing times but also widens access to travellers from diverse backgrounds.

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