Getting a Taiwan police certificate for your New Zealand visa

What this means for you

A police certificate helps Immigration New Zealand assess whether you meet character requirements for a visa. It does not decide your whole application by itself, but an incorrect, expired, untranslated or incomplete certificate can delay your visa or lead to a request for more information.

You may be asked for a Taiwan police certificate if you are applying for residence, a longer work or student visa, or another visa type where character evidence is required. INZ rules commonly look at where you have lived, your age, and the length of time spent in a country, but the exact trigger depends on the visa category and current policy.

For the wider picture, it helps to understand [New Zealand health and character requirements](/health-and-character-requirements/) alongside your police certificate obligations. If you have also lived in Mainland China, you may need a separate document — see our guide to getting a [police certificate from China](/police-certificate-from-china/).

How it works step by step

The Taiwan police clearance document is generally known as a Police Criminal Record Certificate. It is usually issued by the relevant police authority in Taiwan. Depending on where you are and the current process, you may be able to apply in person, by post, online, or through an authorised representative. You should confirm the current application method with the Taiwan police authority and INZ’s country-specific instructions.

A typical process looks like this:

1. **Check whether INZ needs it.** Confirm whether your visa type and residence history mean a Taiwan police certificate is required. 2. **Confirm the issuing authority and format.** Use INZ’s latest police certificate instructions for Taiwan, because New Zealand may require a specific type of certificate or wording. 3. **Prepare your identity documents.** This often includes your passport and Taiwan identification or residence details, if relevant. 4. **Apply for the certificate.** Follow the current Taiwan process, including any representative authorisation if someone applies for you. 5. **Check the names and dates carefully.** Your name, date of birth, passport details and any aliases should be consistent with your visa application. 6. **Translate or certify if needed.** If the certificate is not in English, or if INZ asks for certified copies, arrange this before submission. 7. **Upload or provide it to INZ.** Make sure the scan is clear, complete and includes every page.

Police certificates are usually time-sensitive. INZ may require them to be issued within a certain timeframe before lodgement or decision. Because validity rules can change and may differ by visa type, check the latest INZ guidance before you order the certificate too early.

What to prepare

Before applying, gather the information and documents you are likely to need. The exact list can vary, so treat this as a practical checklist rather than a fixed rule.

Common items to prepare include:

- Your current passport and, if relevant, previous passport details - Your full legal name, Chinese name if applicable, and any previous names or aliases - Date and place of birth - Taiwan ID number, ARC/APRC number, household registration details or previous address details, if applicable - Contact details for correspondence - Authorisation documents if a family member, friend or agent applies on your behalf - Payment for any official fee, if required by the issuing authority - A clear scan or photo of the final certificate for your online visa application

Translation is a common point of confusion. If your Taiwan certificate is issued in English or bilingual format, a separate translation may not be needed. If any part is not in English, INZ may require a certified English translation. Certified copies may also be required in some situations. For more detail, read our guide to [document translation and certification](/document-translation-and-certification/).

If your name appears differently across passports, Taiwan documents and English translations, do not ignore it. Small differences can create questions later. A licensed adviser or immigration lawyer can help you understand whether you should provide an explanation or supporting evidence.

Mistakes to avoid

The biggest mistake is assuming that “any police certificate” will be accepted. INZ usually has specific instructions for each country or territory, including who must issue the document and what it should cover. Always check the Taiwan-specific INZ instructions before submitting.

Avoid these common problems:

- **Ordering it too early.** Police certificates can expire for immigration purposes, even if the document itself looks valid. - **Submitting the wrong type of certificate.** Some local records may not meet INZ requirements. - **Forgetting previous names.** If you have changed names, used a Chinese name, or have different passport spellings, the certificate and application should be consistent. - **Uploading unclear scans.** Blurry, cropped or partial pages can trigger a delay. - **Missing translation requirements.** If the certificate is not fully in English, check whether a certified translation is required. - **Assuming Taiwan is your only police certificate.** INZ may also ask for certificates from other countries where you have lived for the relevant period.

If your certificate shows an entry, charge, conviction or any issue that may affect character, do not try to explain it casually in the application form. Character matters can be sensitive. You should speak with a licensed immigration adviser or immigration lawyer before submitting your visa application.

Where to go next

Your police certificate is only one part of a New Zealand visa application. You may also need medical checks, proof of employment or study, relationship evidence, financial documents, English evidence, qualifications, or occupational registration depending on the pathway.

A practical next step is to map your full document list before you start ordering certificates. This helps you avoid documents expiring while you wait for other evidence. If you are not sure whether you need a Taiwan police certificate, or whether you also need certificates from other places, start with Yimin’s [free eligibility check](/eligibility-checker/). It gives you an indicative orientation only, not a visa decision or personalised immigration advice.

Once you know your likely pathway, a licensed adviser can confirm the document strategy, timing and any risk points before you lodge. This can be especially helpful if you have lived in several countries, changed names, have old police records, or are applying for residence.

Talk to a licensed adviser

Yimin is a free, independent information and matching service. We are not a licensed immigration adviser and we do not give personalised immigration advice. What we can do is help you understand the general process, complete a free eligibility check, and connect you with an IAA-licensed immigration adviser or immigration lawyer for your situation.

If your Taiwan police certificate is straightforward, you may only need confirmation of timing and format. If there are name differences, translation questions, previous offences, or multiple countries involved, it is worth getting professional guidance before you submit.

You can [book a free intro call](/contact/) and we’ll help match you with a licensed adviser who can review your circumstances and explain the next steps. Always confirm current requirements with Immigration New Zealand or a licensed adviser before relying on any police certificate for a visa application.