INZ Updates Police Clearance Requirements for Indian Visa Applicants from December 2025

Immigration New Zealand (INZ) has announced an important change to the police clearance certificate (PCC) requirements for Indian nationals residing in India. From 1 December 2025, only police clearance certificates issued by the Regional Passport Office of the Indian Ministry of External Affairs will be accepted for visa applications.

What Has Changed?

Previously, Indian applicants were able to provide PCCs issued by:

• An Office of the Deputy Commissioner or Superintendent of Police, or

• Their local police station.

However, these certificates often came in inconsistent formats and were difficult to verify. To ensure greater consistency and authenticity, INZ will now only accept PCCs issued by the Regional Passport Office.

What Stays the Same?

Indian nationals living outside India can continue to follow the existing requirements for their country of residence.

Non-Indian nationals who are currently residing in, or have previously lived in, India are also unaffected by this change.

The new requirement applies only to Indian citizens living in India.

What Applicants Need to Do

If you are an Indian national residing in India and need a PCC for your visa application:

• From 1 December 2025, ensure your certificate is obtained only from the Regional Passport Office of the Ministry of External Affairs.

• Allow enough time for the process, as obtaining a PCC can take several weeks.

• Double-check your documentation before submitting your visa application to avoid unnecessary delays.

Why the Change?

This update is intended to make the visa application process smoother by ensuring that police clearance certificates:

• Are consistent in format

• Are easier to authenticate

• Meet the integrity standards required by INZ

Key Takeaway

If you are from India and applying for a visa after 1 December 2025, you must plan ahead and obtain your PCC from the Regional Passport Office. Submitting a certificate from a local police station or district office will no longer be accepted and may result in delays or refusals.