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New Zealand has recently changed some rules that affect people from India who want to travel, work, study, or live there. These changes are part of the New Zealand visa rules for Indian nationals. In this article I will explain the changes in simple English, why they matter, and what you should do next. I will also show practical steps so you leave with no doubts.

What are the main changes?

There are two important updates you should know:

1. Police clearance certificates (PCCs) — new issuing requirement
   From 1 December 2025, Immigration New Zealand will only accept police clearance certificates from applicants living in India if the certificate is issued by a Regional Passport Office of the Indian Ministry of External Affairs (MEA). This means local police station certificates may no longer be accepted for many visa types. This change aims to make verification easier for New Zealand officials.
   
2. Recognition of some Indian qualifications
   From 23 June 2025, New Zealand updated the List of Qualifications Exempt from Assessment (LQEA) to include some Indian degrees. This can reduce the extra step of international qualification assessment for certain degree-holders, helping some students and skilled migrants move faster through the visa process. Note: the update covers specific recognised institutions and particular qualifications — not every Indian degree.
   

Both changes are part of the broader set of New Zealand visa rules for Indian nationals. They affect different people in different ways — travellers, students, workers, and people applying for residence.

Who is affected and how?

• Short-term visitors: If you only plan a holiday, you may need an NZeTA (New Zealand Electronic Travel Authority) instead of a visa. Make sure to check whether you need an NZeTA or a visitor visa before booking. You can Submit NZeTA Online through the official NZeTA site. After you apply, you can check your NZeTA Visa Status online.
  
• Students and skilled workers: If your course or job requires proof of your degree, some Indian qualifications may be accepted without a separate international assessment. That can speed up the process under the updated New Zealand visa rules for Indian nationals. Still, check whether your specific institution and degree are included.
  
• Long-stay and residence applicants: You will likely need a police certificate. From December 2025, get the PCC from a Regional Passport Office of the MEA to meet the new rule. If you submit the wrong certificate, your application may be delayed. This is one of the clear updates in the New Zealand visa rules for Indian nationals.

Simple step-by-step checklist

Here is a plain checklist to follow before you apply:

1. Decide the right entry type (visitor, student, work, or residence). This depends on how long you will stay and your purpose.
   
2. If you are eligible for an NZeTA, Submit NZeTA Online using the official service. Keep the reference number and check your NZeTA Visa Status if you do not hear back.
   
3. For student or skilled visas, check whether your Indian degree is on the LQEA list to avoid extra assessment. This is part of the new New Zealand visa rules for Indian nationals.
   
4. For longer visas, get a police certificate from an MEA Regional Passport Office in India (not every local police office will be accepted anymore). This new PCC rule is crucial under the New Zealand visa rules for Indian nationals.
   
5. Keep digital copies of all documents and clear scans of photos, passports, and certificates.
   
6. Apply online where possible and keep all reference numbers and emails safe. You can later check your application progress on Immigration New Zealand’s website.

Common mistakes to avoid

• Applying through an unofficial site. Always use the official Immigration New Zealand or NZeTA websites to Submit NZeTA Online.
  
• Sending the wrong type of police certificate. From December 2025, Immigration New Zealand may reject PCCs not issued by a Regional Passport Office of MEA. This change is part of the New Zealand visa rules for Indian nationals.
  
• Assuming every Indian degree is accepted. Only specific qualifications and institutions are included in the LQEA updates. Check the list before you skip an assessment.

Final thoughts — what you should do today

If you plan to travel to New Zealand or apply for a visa, do these three things now:

1. Visit the official Immigration New Zealand pages to confirm what documents you need. Bookmark the pages.
   
2. If you are eligible, Submit NZeTA Online and save your reference number, then check your NZeTA Visa Status.
   
3. If you need a police certificate, arrange for a PCC from the Regional Passport Office of the MEA in India so your application meets the updated New Zealand visa rules for Indian nationals.