Frequently Asked Questions
These are changes that are effective from 25 January 2024 for the next 12 months. The changes include:
- Enabling additional employment and waiving an application fee.
- Implementing a one-year visa and permit for retirees
- No fee for a visitor extension for 62 days or less
- One-year International and Government worker visa and permit at $320
- Continuation of the $60 per year fee to renew a Resident Spouse visa and permit where you previously held a Cook Islands Resident permit
- Regulatory amendments to remove mandatory restrictions and limitations and 90-day permit on arrival for Australian passport holders.
The Immigration policy changes document is on our website under Legislation.
For more information on visa and permits, email [email protected] or for general enquiries, email [email protected]
To find out more information about Cook Islands Status or to apply, go to mfai.gov.ck/cook-islands-status
You may not transfer to a new type of visa or permit. If you wish to change visa or permit types (e.g. go from a study to a work permit), you will need to apply for a whole new visa and permit relevant to your requirements.
- show that they have an English-speaking background
- show that they are a competent user of English for other reasons
- provide Immigration with an acceptable English language test result (such as International English Language Testing System (IELTS)).
Refer to Cook Islands Immigration Regulations 2023, Part 4, Subpart 5 – Health Requirements, Regulations 68-73 and Schedule 8. Refer to Cook Islands Ministry of Health
Fees must be paid for applications to be considered and are non refundable.
MFAI has 5 working days to evaluate EOI submissions and advise persons of the outcome, i.e. invite to apply for PR or advice on ineligibility to be invited.
No as the EOI submission determines eligibility to be invited to apply for PR. You will have to wait for the next PR round.
Only eligible persons invited to apply for PR will be provided with a paper application or access to the online form. If you received an invite from the Ministry with no form or link attached, please contact us
There are 4 categories of PR
- PR in your own right
- PR as a spouse of a Cook Islander or Permanent Resident
- Eligible child
- PR by descent
Please refer to Cook Islands Regulations 2023 Part 1 Page 6 Permanent Residence
Yes, you need to provide the evidence again as part of your application.
Why?
The EOI submission determined eligibility to apply for PR. Being invited to apply for PR is a separate process.
If you do not provide the evidence as part of your application, it will be rendered incomplete and at the risk of lapsing.
Immigration will return any original documents submitted as part of your EOI.
If you lodge a PR online, you will receive an automated email response once you click on the SUBMIT button.
If you lodge a PR in person, you will receive a receipt for payment.
You will receive an invite for PR under the category you expressed interest.
If there has been a change to your relationship status since expressing interest for PR, this is considered as a material change in circumstance which needs to be declared to the PIO under regulation 41 of the Cook Islands Immigration Regulations 2022.
You can only apply for PR on spouse ground if you are currently in a genuine and stable relationship with a Cook Islander or permanent resident.
Yes, please review the criteria here on our website.
$500 for PR (In Own Right and on Spouse ground).
$470 for an Application as an eligible child.
No fee to lodge an application as a PR by descent.
Bank: BSP
Account Name: CIG - MFAI
Bank Account Details: 159651401
Reference: PRApp < Surname.Initial >
OR, visit the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Immigration (MFAI) Office (Level 2, Govt Building) to pay the fee in person.
No
Yes. They will need to sign the declaration included in the PR form.
Immigration Officers cannot help you with your application. They can clarify questions.
Yes this is stipulated in the PR application.
There is a 25 working day period to submit a complete PR application.
If the application is incomplete, Immigration will advise the applicant and they have 10 working days to provide the information.
If the applicant fails to provide the outstanding information within 10 working days, the application will lapse.
Immigration will submit complete applications to the Minister for review. A 20 working day period is allocated to enable the Minister to make a decision.
Dependent on your device you can use your mouse, digital or stylus pen.
No, you only need to provide dates on your application and we will organize travel movements on your behalf.
Justice of the Peace (JP), a solicitor or Notary Public, or a registrar or Deputy Registrar of the District or High Court, or authorised staff in some government agencies.
Yes. You will need to create an account online. Once you have done so, please contact us and provide them with your email address you used to create your account and we will manually grant permission.
Yes, you must use the same log in details to submit your application for PR
Those who submitted an EOI and were invited to apply for PR will be provided with a link allowing them access to complete their application online.
You must notify the Principal Immigration Officer of any material change in circumstances while you are waiting for your application to be granted, or as a condition of holding a visa or permit has been granted.
Circumstances will differ depending on the type of permanent residence, visa or permit you are applying for.
For example, if you are applying for permanent residence as the spouse of a Cook Islander, your relationship with that Cook Islander is a circumstance relevant to your application.
If you apply for a work visa and permit, your specific role and contract conditions are circumstances that are directly relevant to your application.
A material change is one that has real importance or great consequence. It is a change in your circumstances that will have a significant affect your application and the immigration status you applied for.
It is important because you are required to meet certain criteria to be granted a visa or permit, or permanent residence. If you can no longer meet these criteria, this can affect the outcome of your application.
For example, if you are applying for permanent residence as the spouse of a Cook Islander and you separate from your partner, the circumstances that you based your application on have changed materially.
If you apply for a work visa and permit based on being a chef in a resort restaurant, but your employer decides that you are needed at the reception desk instead, that is a material change in circumstances as it changes the functions of the role you based your application on.
The Cook Islands Immigration Regulations specify some, including:
- the death of any person relevant to the application
- the separation of the applicant from their spouse, if the spouse was a party to the application or sponsoring the application
- the arrest for a criminal offence in any country, or the conviction for an offence in any country
- any change to the standard of health, including the identification or diagnosis of a condition that might pose a danger to public health or impose significant costs or demands on the Cook Islands publicly funded health service
- any change to the applicant’s health status that could reasonably affect the applicant’s ability to carry out the work that they will be entering the Cook Islands to carry out
- any change to the applicant’s ability to maintain sufficient funds for the duration of their stay in the Cook Islands
- any change to the ability to maintain an onwards travel plan for the duration of the permit
- any material change to, or withdrawal of, the applicant’s sponsorship
- any material change to, or withdrawal from, an agreement between the applicant and an employer, education provider, or intern provider.
No, you must tell us about a material change for any party that is relevant to the application. This means any person named in your application or supporting your application. It can include your spouse, dependent children, parents, guardians, sponsors, employers, education providers, etc.
For example, if your education provider files for bankruptcy and can no longer offer your course, this will affect your study visa and permit.
Or, if you are applying for a visa and permit based on sponsorship from someone living in the Cook Islands and that person returns to their home country, that is a material change.
If you are applying for permanent residence, you must keep us informed right up to the time the permanent residence is granted.
If you are applying for a visa or permit, you must also keep us informed up until the time the visa or permit is granted. But you must also inform us of any material change in circumstances as a condition of holding the visa or permit. So, you need to keep us up to date until the visa or permit expires.
If you do not tell us about a material change in circumstances during the application process, your application will be automatically declined.
Any visa or permit granted based on fraud or misinformation will be cancelled, and anyone who breaches the conditions of their visa and permit will have that visa or permit cancelled. Cancellation will result in you being unlawfully in the Cook Islands and liable for deportation.
It is also an offence for an employer or education provider to fail to report a material change in circumstances of their employee or student.
A person who arrives in the Cook Islands and intends to stay must have sufficient funds to support themselves, their spouse and any dependent children while they are in the Cook Islands.
We consider how much is reasonable for paid accommodation during your stay, how much spending money you may require, whether you have savings in a bank account that can supplement your income, etc.
The amount you need may differ between Rarotonga and the Pa Enua and will depend on several factors that are specific to your situation.
A sponsor is a person who has guaranteed to support you financially and provide accommodation for you throughout your stay in the Cook Islands. Sponsors can be your employer, but they can also be someone you know (such as a relative), who lives in the Cook Islands and is willing to support you.
Sponsors must sign a declaration that they meet certain criteria to be your sponsor. This includes being of good character, not owing any money to Cook Islands Immigration, having resources to cover your living, accommodation and health-related expenses, and being lawfully in the Cook Islands for the duration of your stay.
Sponsors must not ask you to repay any of the costs they spend on you as their sponsor. This includes airfares and rent.
The following may be submitted as evidence of funds:
- a bank statement and/or bank drafts from a reputable and known bank or financial service provider showing funds in an account (whether in the Cook Islands or overseas) that you can access from the Cook Islands
- recognised credit or debit cards in your name
- if you are applying for a specialist worker visa and permit, a letter of financial support from your home employer or home government.
The Cook Islands Immigration Regulations cover sufficient funds in regulations 74-76.
The regulations discuss sponsorship in Part 3 subpart 1 and the declaration is in Schedule 7. The Cook Islands Immigration Act 2021 has sponsorship provisions in sections 79-81.
The Cook Islands Immigration Act 2021 allows people, businesses or agencies to sponsor other people to come and stay in the Cook Islands. These FAQs are for those who want to know more about becoming sponsors.
All sponsors (natural persons or businesses) must sign a declaration form set out in Schedule 7 of the Immigration Regulations. In addition, they must:
- not owe any debt to the Department of Immigration (including outstanding fines or fees)
- have sufficient funds to meet their obligations under the sponsorship arrangement
- not be insolvent or have been declared bankrupt
- be able to maintain their sponsorship of a person for the duration of any visa or permit or visa or permit waiver granted to that person
- not enter into an agreement with the person being sponsored or any other person for any financial or other gain or reward in return for agreeing to act as a sponsor, or any reimbursement of monies paid as a result of the sponsorship
- not have made a false declaration in relation to an immigration or employment matter or process
- pay any amounts incurred as a debt to the Crown as a consequence of the sponsorship
-
provide accommodation that satisfies the building health standards under section 13 of the Public Health Act 2004 and:
- includes a watertight, enclosed building with operational doors and windows
- is maintained to protect the occupants from any health and safety risks present at the accommodation.
If sponsorship conditions are breached, the sponsored person’s permit may be cancelled, and the sponsored person may be refused future sponsorship and permits.
If a sponsor fails to comply and the Crown suffers loss as a consequence, the amount of that loss is a debt due to the Crown and may be recovered accordingly.
If a sponsor fails to comply with their obligations under a sponsorship, the sponsor is not entitled to sponsor again unless the Principal Immigration Officer allows it.
A natural person who applies to be a sponsor must meet the requirements above and in addition, must satisfy the Principal Immigration Officer that they:
- have not acted in breach of any previous sponsorship obligation
- have continuing rights, or hold a valid residence or work permit that remains in force through the entire period of the sponsorship
- are not themselves being sponsored under the Cook Islands Immigration Act at the same time as they apply to be a sponsor
- are not serving a sentence of imprisonment
- are not unlawfully in the Cook Islands or liable for deportation.
A natural person who applies to sponsor their spouse or a child must not have any convictions for a sexual offence or domestic violence, or related offences, or have sponsored another spouse within the previous 5 years.
A government department, state-owned enterprise, island government, or other government agency that applies to act as a sponsor must meet the requirements above and in addition, must satisfy the Principal Immigration Officer that they:
- have the agreement of the head or chief executive of that department, state-owned enterprise, island government, or agency (however that position is described) to the making of that application
- recognised under Cook Islands law as a separate legal entity
- registered with the Ministry of Justice
- if a foreign enterprise, registered with the BTIB
- previously have complied with all Cook Islands laws
- not be under investigation by, or of concern to the Department, Police, Ministry of Internal Affairs, Ministry of Justice, BTIB.
- be able to demonstrate that they have sound resources, policies and practices and enter into lawful written employment agreements with employees, who do not have continuing rights, and they must not have been flagged as problematic by the labour division of Internal Affairs.
No. Sponsors must not enter into an agreement with the sponsored person or another person for:
- any financial or other gain or reward in return for agreeing to act as a sponsor, or
- any reimbursement of monies paid as a result of the sponsorship.
Examples of this include:
- where the sponsor who is also an employer pays for an airfare for an employee/sponsored person, then makes an agreement with that person to recover that airfare as part of their wages
- where the sponsor makes the person pay them a percentage of their weekly wage as payment for them agreeing to be a sponsor.
No. Sponsored persons cannot sponsor people in turn. A sponsored person who wishes to bring their family to the Cook Islands (and is able to under their visa/permit) would need to ask their sponsor or a different person to sponsor the family.
Person A | Can be sponsored by | Person B |
---|---|---|
Spouse of Person A, child of Person A, friend of Person A, etc | Can be sponsored by | Person B or Person C |
Cannot be sponsored by | Person A |
Some visa or permit applicants require an onward travel plan as part of their application.
If you are applying for the following, you will need an onward travel plan:
- New Zealand Visitor visa or permit
- International Visitor visa or permit
- Long Term Visitor visa or permit
- Government Worker visa or permit
- Specialist Worker visa or permit
- International Worker visa or permit
- International Child visa or permit
- International Adult Student visa or permit
- International Intern visa or permit
- Special Entrant visa or permit
An onward travel plan could be:
- travel tickets (confirmed or open dated) for travel from the Cook Islands to another country you have the right to enter
- written confirmation from a reputable and known carrier or travel agent that onwards travel has been booked and paid for
- a letter from your employer guaranteeing that onwards travel will be arranged for you.
The Cook Islands Immigration Act 2021 allows people, businesses or agencies to sponsor other people to come and stay in the Cook Islands. These FAQs are for those who want to know more about being sponsored.
All sponsors (natural persons or businesses) must sign a declaration form set out in Schedule 7 of the Immigration Regulations. In addition, they must:
- not owe any debt to the Department of Immigration (including outstanding fines or fees)
- have sufficient funds to meet their obligations under the sponsorship arrangement
- not be insolvent or have been declared bankrupt
- be able to maintain their sponsorship of a person for the duration of any visa or permit or visa or permit waiver granted to that person
- not enter into an agreement with the person being sponsored or any other person for any financial or other gain or reward in return for agreeing to act as a sponsor, or any reimbursement of monies paid as a result of the sponsorship
- not have made a false declaration in relation to an immigration or employment matter or process
- pay any amounts incurred as a debt to the Crown as a consequence of the sponsorship
-
provide accommodation that satisfies the building health standards under section 13 of the Public Health Act 2004 and:
- includes a watertight, enclosed building with operational doors and windows
- is maintained to protect the occupants from any health and safety risks present at the accommodation.
Your sponsor must guarantee to ensure you meet immigration conditions. If these conditions of sponsorship are breached, your permit may be cancelled, and you may be refused future sponsorship and permits. You will probably be removed from the Cook Islands back to your home country.
If a sponsor fails to comply and the Crown suffers loss as a consequence, the amount of that loss is a debt due to the Crown and may be recovered accordingly. If a sponsor fails to comply with their obligations under a sponsorship, the sponsor is not entitled to sponsor again unless the Principal Immigration Officer allows it.
No. Sponsors must not enter into an agreement with the sponsored person or another person for:
- any financial or other gain or reward in return for agreeing to act as a sponsor, or
- any reimbursement of monies paid as a result of the sponsorship.
Examples of this include:
- where the sponsor who is also an employer pays for an airfare for an employee/sponsored person, then makes an agreement with that person to recover that airfare as part of their wages
- where the sponsor makes the person pay them a percentage of their weekly wage as payment for them agreeing to be a sponsor.
No. Sponsored persons cannot sponsor people in turn. A sponsored person who wishes to bring their family to the Cook Islands (and is able to under their visa/permit) would need to ask their sponsor or a different person to sponsor the family.
Person A | Can be sponsored by | Person B |
---|---|---|
Spouse of Person A, child of Person A, friend of Person A, etc | Can be sponsored by | Person B or Person C |
Cannot be sponsored by | Person A |
Volunteer Visitor is a person who does not receive any stipend or reward for their services.
A 'Volunteer' Permit (known as a Government Worker Permit) allows for a person to receive some form of remuneration for their services, such as accommodation or a stipend.
Any other Passport holder who receives 31 days on arrival.
Any visitor class of visa and permit can be extended for an additional 62 days or less at no fee.
The extension can be requested in advance of travel or once on island.
- Email [email protected] and include "Visitor Extension concession" in the subject line
- For each traveller, attach a copy of the passport bio data and the travel itinerary.
Immigration Cook Islands will confirm when the request has been processed.
Our standard processing time is 20 working days.
You will need to provide relevant information to the Immigration department to review.
To apply for an exemption, click on this link Exemptions for Travel and Entry or by sending the an email to [email protected]
- Colour copy of the passport biodata
- Travel itinerary or tentative travel dates
- Confirmation of accommodation
- List of travel companions
- Purpose of travel
- Criminal conviction report issued within the most recent 6 months
If upon review the conviction history is outside the criteria, Immigration may allow you to travel to the Cook Islands and declare convictions upon arrival.
Important to note that Immigration Cook Islands will review cases with external agencies and failure to declare could impact travel in the future.