Immigration FAQs

A person who has been awarded permanent resident status by the Minister of Immigration and their passport endorsed. This includes honorary permanent resident.

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A Values or Language Programme may be any Cook Islands‑based orientation course designed to help people integrate into the Cook Islands community. This may include any approved course in Cook Islands values, culture, customs and traditions, and language, as required under regulations 12(c) and 22(d) of the Cook Islands Immigration Regulations 2023.

A values or language programme is not a test. It is an orientation and learning programme that helps migrants understand how life works in the Cook Islands and plays an important role in demonstrating a commitment to living, contributing, and belonging within the community.

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Expressions of Interest forms are available to collect from the Immigration Office, located on the top floor of the Government Building in Avarua.

You can also submit an application online through the ministry's website at www.mfai.gov.ck. To do this, simply create an account via the dashboard, located at the top right‑hand corner of the website next to the search field.

Applications for Permanent Residence (PR) are by invitation only. Those who have been invited to apply for PR will be provided with either a paper application form or a link to access the online form. If you have received an invitation from the Ministry without a form or link attached, please contact us

NOTE: Expressions of Interest forms are only available once every 3 years, as defined by sections 40(1) and (3) of the Cook Islands Immigration Act 2021. 

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There are 4 categories of PR

1. PR in your own right
2. PR as a spouse of a Cook Islander or Permanent Resident
3. Eligible child
4. PR by descent

Please refer to Cook Islands Regulations 2023 Part 1 Page 6 Permanent Residence

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Refer to Cook Islands Regulations 2023 Part 1 Page 6 Permanent Residence

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Refer to Cook Islands Regulations 2023 Part 1 Page 12 Permanent Residence

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There is no review process. Once Immigration has provided a response to your Expression of Interest (EOI), the application is considered closed.

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If you lodge a PR submission online, you will receive an automated email confirmation once you click the SUBMIT button.
If you lodge a PR submission in person, you will receive a payment receipt.

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You will receive an invite for PR under the category you submitted an expression of interest in.

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If there has been a change to your relationship status since you expressed interest in permanent residence (PR), this is considered a material change in circumstances and must be declared to the Principal Immigration Officer in accordance with regulation 62 of the Cook Islands Immigration Regulations 2023.

You may only apply for PR as a spouse if you are currently in a genuine and stable relationship with a Cook Islander or a permanent resident.

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Yes, please review the criteria here on our website.

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• $1,000.00 - Expression of Interest (EOI) submission
• $740.00 - Application for Permanent Residence
  (In Own Right and as a Spouse)
• $470.00 - Application for Permanent Residence as an eligible child
• No fee - Application for Permanent Residence by descent

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Payments can be made in person at the Immigration Office (Top Floor, Government Building) or, if submitting an application online, by depositing the payment into the ministry's bank account.

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No

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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.

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Yes this is stipulated in the PR application.

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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.

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Dependent on your device you can use your mouse, digital or stylus pen.

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No, you only need to provide dates on your application and we will organize travel movements on your behalf.

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A statutory declaration is a formal written statement in which a person declares that certain information is true to the best of their knowledge and makes that declaration under the law.

A statutory declaration:

• must be made in writing and signed
• It must be witnessed by an authorised person (such as a lawyer, Justice of the Peace, notary public).

Making a false statutory declaration is a criminal offence and can lead to penalties such as fines or imprisonment

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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.

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