In a bid to make itself more attractive as a tourist destination, New Zealand has made the removal of the requirement for certified translations for visitor visa applications. From May 26, 2025, applications for supporting documents that are not in English will no longer be required to include certified translations. The policy reform seeks to streamline the process of obtaining a visa, lower travel costs, and bring New Zealand’s practices in line with those of surrounding countries such as Australia.
Simplifying the Visa Application Process
Before, non-English-speaking visitors had to provide certified translations of all supporting documents, such as bank statements, employment letters, and identification documents. All too often, this created a large obstacle, taking up time, making the process more complicated, and costing more money.
Under the new policy, although translations are still required, they do not have to be certified. Applicants are required to submit English translations and information regarding who did the translation and their qualifications or experience. Translations done by the applicant, family members, or immigration advisers who are part of the application process are not acceptable.
The move was jointly made by Tourism and Hospitality Minister Louise Upston and Immigration Minister Erica Stanford, who noted that it responds to feedback from the tourism industry, which had identified the requirement for a certified translation as a deterrent for potential visitors. By removing this barrier, New Zealand aims to make the country more accessible and attractive to international visitors.
Airlines and airports have embraced the policy shift. Cath O’Brien, Executive Director of Board of Airline Representatives of New Zealand (BARNZ), said that making the visa process easier would minimize hassle for international visitors and support and grow New Zealand’s air links. ([NZ Herald][5], [Travel And Tour World][1])
Expected Impact on Tourism
The elimination of the requirement for certified translation will have a beneficial effect on tourism, especially from target markets like China, Japan, and South Korea. These nations have large volumes of travelers who might have been deterred by the former bureaucratic barriers. Simplifying the visa process makes New Zealand an easier destination, likely to increase tourism revenues.
Industry bosses were upbeat about the policy change at the TRENZ 2025 tourism trade show saying it would result in more visitors. The shift is following trends in other parts of the world where visa processing is being streamlined to make countries more competitive in the tourism industry.
By eliminating the certified translation requirement, New Zealand brings its visa application process in line with countries like Australia, which have adopted similar measures to facilitate travel. This alignment not only simplifies the process for travelers but also enhances New Zealand’s competitiveness as a tourist destination in the Asia-Pacific region.
New Zealand’s move to eliminate the requirement for certified translation as part of visitor visa applications is an important step towards opening up the country to global tourists. By easing bureaucratic red tape and keeping pace with international best practices, New Zealand hopes to increase tourism and reinforce its status as a leading destination in the Asia-Pacific region.
