Photo credit: Tourism NZ Visual Library
Are you applying for an Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV)? If so, there is an important requirement you need to be aware of before you submit your application: you must now provide a valid police certificate at lodgement. Immigration New Zealand no longer accepts receipts or proof that you have applied for a certificate.
Submitting your application without a police certificate can have real consequences. Instead of waiting for you to supply the missing document, Immigration New Zealand will assess your application based only on what you provide. This means your visa could be delayed, approved for a shorter period, or even declined if essential information is missing.
Putting together a decision-ready application from the start gives you the best chance of a faster, smoother decision. Planning ahead will help you avoid unnecessary stress or disruptions to your employment plans, especially as police certificates can take weeks or even months to arrive depending on the country you apply from.
Immigration New Zealand previously kept applications open and followed up on missing police certificates. That process has now changed. Applications will no longer be held or paused for documents to arrive. Instead, processing staff will prioritise complete, decision-ready applications, allowing faster decisions for people who provide all required information upfront.
Police certificate rules and exceptions
A valid police certificate must be supplied at the time of lodgement unless the applicant falls into one of the limited exceptions.
Exceptions
Police certificates for the following jurisdictions are sent directly to Immigration New Zealand. Applicants from these locations may upload proof of application instead:
• Fiji
• Hong Kong
• Israel
Applying without a police certificate
If you have spent less than 24 months in New Zealand
Applicants who have been in New Zealand for less than 24 months (including those applying offshore who were previously in New Zealand for under 24 months) will be given five working days to provide a police certificate if it is not included at lodgement.
If the certificate is not provided within this timeframe, the visa may still be approved but only for a shorter duration, up to a total stay of 24 months.
If you have spent more than 24 months in New Zealand
• Onshore applicants: If you are in New Zealand and have been here for more than 24 months, you will receive a Potentially Prejudicial Information (PPI) letter, giving you an opportunity to respond or supply the missing certificate.
• Offshore applicants: If you are outside New Zealand and have previously spent more than 24 months in the country, your application may be declined if you apply without a police certificate.
What applicants should do now
• Obtain your police certificate before lodging your AEWV application.
• Check processing times for certificates in your home country as some take several weeks or months.
• Upload all required documents at lodgement to avoid delays, shorter visas, or refusal.
• If you fall under an exception (Fiji, Hong Kong or Israel), upload proof that you have applied.
Submitting a complete, decision-ready application from the outset is the most effective way to ensure a smooth AEWV process under the updated requirements.
How Absolute Immigration NZ can help
Applying for an AEWV can be complex, especially with stricter documentation requirements. Our Absolute Immigration New Zealand team supports applicants and employers by ensuring every visa application is complete, accurate and decision-ready with Immigration New Zealand’s expectations.
We can assist you with:
• Understanding the police certificate requirements for your situation
• Confirming whether you qualify for an exception
• Identifying risks if you have spent more than 24 months in New Zealand
• Preparing and lodging a decision-ready AEWV application to avoid delays or shorter visa outcomes
• Responding to Potentially Prejudicial Information (PPI) letters
• Advising employers on compliance responsibilities under the AEWV framework
By ensuring all required documents are ready at lodgement, we help you avoid unnecessary setbacks and improve the likelihood of a smooth, timely visa decision.
For tailored support, contact our team at aisupport@absoluteimmigration.com.
