Immigration FAQs

A visa allows an applicant travel and entry into the Cook Islands. The permit allows you to stay in the Cook Islands and fulfill a purpose (such as to visit, work, study or reside).

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There is no transfer process. Should you change employer a new application will be required as you will need to show a new employment agreement.

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No, a new application will be required.

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No, it is an offence under the Cook Islands Immigration Act 2021 to seek reimbursement of any moneys paid as a result of the sponsorship.

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This can take up to 20 working days.

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Yes as long as the applicant has a total of one month offshore holiday over the 3 year period.

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All visas and permits are granted with conditions. At the discretion of Immigration, your conditions may be varied on request if there is a good reason to do so. You can only vary conditions on the same kind of visa or permit (e.g. work permit, study permit).
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.

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It is a Cook Islands based orientation program on our values, customs and language delivered by a recognised educational provider or registered private school approved by Immigration.

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This must be provided from nationally recognized English learning institution in your country.

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To show English language proficiency, people may be able to:

• 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)).

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Yes

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A person must have an acceptable standard of health approved by the Cook Islands Ministry of Health. An acceptable standard of health means not having a condition listed in regulations, unlikely to be a danger to public health or impose significant demands on the publicly funded health services of the Cook Islands.
The person must be sufficiently well to be able to undertake the activities that they came to the Cook Islands to do.
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

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A person without continuing rights who intends to travel to, enter, and stay in the Cook Islands must be of good character. People who wish to stay for more than six months must provide a Police certificate to show evidence of character. See the full criteria outlined Cook Islands Immigration Regulations 2023, Part 4, Subpart 4 – Requirements relating to character, Regulations 66-67.

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These are contained in Schedule 11 of the Cook Islands Immigration Regulations 2023
Fees must be paid for applications to be considered and are non refundable.

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Up to 3 years for all visa and permits, during which applicants can come in and out of the country.

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You must notify and advise Immigration who will review your request and provide further information.

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Click Here to view the available forms.

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Cook Islands Immigration recommends that applicants refer to Immigration New Zealand’s official list of approved panel physicians when arranging their medical examinations. This ensures that all medical checks are completed by doctors who meet New Zealand’s required standards for immigration‑related health assessments.

To find an approved panel physician in your home country, please use the following link:

IMM NZ Approved Panel Physicians

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Every visa and permit requires a medical clearance letter issued by the Cook Islands Ministry of Health, if you intend to stay in the Cook Islands for 6 months or more. 

Medical examinations must be completed offshore, and the complete documentation must be sent to the Cook Islands Ministry of Health for approval.  Once approved, you will receive a medical clearance letter that can be submitted with your visa and permit application.

IMM18 TMO Medical Clearance Screening Form is available to download here. For more information on this form, please get in touch with the Cook Islands Ministry of Health on +682 29664 or email tmo.helpdesk@cookislands.gov.ck 

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The ability to travel in and out of the Cook Islands and stay without restriction.

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Is a Cook Islander, permanent resident and an honorary permanent resident

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Valid Passport with the Cook Island Status Endorsement or Permanent Resident Endorsement

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Any other person who does not meet the above criteria, such as visitors, students, or temporary workers.

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You do not get any financial compensation or you should not get a reward of any form as a result from your volunteer work

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You will be deemed unlawful and will be subject to deportation

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Depending on the visa you are applying for or how long you plan to stay in the Cook Islands, you may need to provide a police certificate as evidence of your good character.

A police certificate is a document that is issued by the police or a government agency that:

• provides information about any criminal record you may have
• are based on official records and checks
• may be called a criminal check or police clearance

If you are required to provide a police certificate, it must be;

• issued by a national or federal police department
• no older than 6 months old, when you submit your visa application
• must be in English, or accompanied by an official English translation.

For more information on how to obtain a police clearance from a specific country, Immigration New Zealand have a user friendly search filter.  

To find out more information, click here How to get a police certificate

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Our standard processing time per application is 20 working days.

The processing times can vary depending on whether the application was complete when submitted or if payment was processed by invoice or credit/debit card.

Please note that delays in processing can occur due to the following reasons:

• Incomplete applications are being submitted.
• Incomplete, unauthenticated or insufficient documentation. (in some cases, fraudulent documents)
• Foreign documents with no certified translation.
• Delays with processing outside of our control – such as medical clearance processing times and Labour review of employment contracts.

It is recommended that all applicants ensure that their applications are complete before submitting to immigration. An incomplete application may be declined without a refund of fees paid.

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If you don't have a sponsor or do not want to be sponsored, you must upload evidence of sufficient funds with your application. During the assessment process, an immigration officer will determine if you are financially able to take care of the sponsorship obligations yourself. 

For more information on sufficient funds, see the FAQs available.

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Enough funds to support your stay in the Cook Islands eg pay for accommodation, food, leisure activities.

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You need sufficient funds to make sure you can afford to pay for your expenses while you are in the Cook Islands. It is to ensure that people do not need support from the government while they are here, or be incentivised to work illegally to finance their stay.

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The amount of funds you need will depend on a number of factors such as how long you intend to stay in the Cook Islands, and the reason for your stay. A visitor to the Cook Islands for one week will obviously require less than a person who is studying for a year.

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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.

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No, the salary or wages you will earn from working in the Cook Islands do not count towards your sufficient funds. You may not rely on an ability or agreement to work more than 35 hours a week for the purpose of assessing if you have sufficient funds. That means that you must have savings, a sponsor, or funding over and above what you will earn while in the Cook Islands.

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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.

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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.

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Yes, the Principal Immigration Officer will publish a breakdown of the estimated costs of living for longer stays. This assumes the person will stay in a rental house and includes sundries. This will be released Friday 30th June 2023

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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.

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If you are unable to provide evidence of sufficient funds to support yourself and any family members while you stay in the Cook Islands, a sponsor may be required.

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Immigration’s role is to enforce the Cook Islands Immigration Act and Regulations, in particular relating to the Sponsors obligations and offences. Should anything fall outside of this, it is recommended that you seek legal counsel or work with Labour department.

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A natural person, a department or state owned enterprise, an Island Government, other Government Agency or any body that has a legal identity recognized under Cook Islands law and can be sued in its own right can be a sponsor.

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Sponsors must not owe a debt to Immigration, solvent and generally be law-abiding. They must sign a declaration that they will meet the conditions of sponsorship, such as providing accommodation and support to the sponsored person. Please refer to Cook Islands Immigration Regulations 2023 Part 3, Subpart 1 – Sponsorship, Regulations 45-53 for full details.

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A sponsor is a natural person or entity who guarantees that the person they sponsor will comply with immigration requirements while in the Cook Islands and depart when their visa and permit expire. The sponsor also provides accommodation while the person is in the Cook Islands.

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A sponsor can be a registered business, government agency or department, registered NGO or church, a natural person, or other entity capable of entering into agreements as a body corporate. A person’s employer and their sponsor do not necessarily have to be the same person.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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A person can transfer their sponsor if their original sponsor becomes unavailable, or unsuitable, while the person still holds a valid permit. The new sponsor must meet the sponsorship criteria and pay a sponsorship transfer fee.

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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.

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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.

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The legislation includes sponsorship criteria at sections 79-81 of the Cook Islands Immigration Act 2021. Also see regulations Part 3, Subpart 1 and Schedule 7 of the Cook Islands Immigration Regulations 2023.

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You will be able to download the form here: Sponsorship Application.

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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

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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.

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No, you don’t need actual tickets yet, but you should have some kind of guarantee either from your employer, or travel agent or carrier, that your travel has been or will be arranged.

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This means that you are a citizen or resident of that next country, or that you have a visa or permit or legal authority to enter it. If you need a visa or permit to enter your next destination, this must be arranged before you arrive in the Cook Islands.

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If you cannot show a travel plan, you will be required to pay a bond in the amount set by the Principal Immigration Officer. The amount of the bond must not exceed $10,000. If you do not comply with your immigration obligations, your bond may be forfeited.

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The law relating to onward travel plans is in Part 4, subpart 7 of the Cook Islands Immigration Regulations 2023.

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Yes, you can volunteer while visiting the Cook Islands, provided you are not receiving any stipend, gain, or reward for your services.

If you receive any form of benefit from volunteering, you must apply for and be approved for a visa and permit. In this case, you can submit an application as a Government Worker, and upon approval, this visa and permit will allow you to receive some form of remuneration for your services, such as accommodation or a stipend.

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The standard entry requirements for all visitors to the Cook Islands include the following: 

1. Valid passport with 6 months validity beyond your departure date from the Cook Islands.
2. Proof of onward travel or return itinerary.
3. Proof of accommodation, including the property's name or location, the name of the local contact person, and their phone number.
4. Sufficient funds for the duration of the stay.
5. Be of good character.
6. Have an acceptable standard of health. 

Hard or digital copies of your documents (excluding your passport, which must be original) will be accepted.

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A person without continuing rights, who intends to holiday, sightsee, visiting family or others, volunteer for no gain or reward, play sport for no gain or reward, explore business or employment options while onshore

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No. You can volunteer for no reward or gain

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Only those holding NZ passports qualify to apply for NZ Visitor visa and permit.

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A NZ passport holder receives a 90-day stay on arrival.
All other passport holders receive 31 days on arrival.

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Valid Passport, Onward Travel, Accommodation provider, Sufficient Funds, Bona-fide Visitor, Health and Character declaration.

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This will be an incomplete application and will not be considered and they are required to depart the Cook Islands.

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Upon application you can visit for up to 12 months in total.

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Upon application you can visit for up to 8 months in total.

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Depending on the visa you are applying for or how long you plan to stay in the Cook Islands, you may need to provide a police certificate as evidence of your good character.

A police certificate is a document that is issued by the police or a government agency that:

• provides information about any criminal record you may have
• are based on official records and checks
• may be called a criminal check or police clearance

If you are required to provide a police certificate, it must be;

• issued by a national or federal police department
• no older than 6 months old, when you submit your visa application
• must be in English, or accompanied by an official English translation.

For more information on how to obtain a police clearance from a specific country, Immigration New Zealand have a user friendly search filter.  

To find out more information, click here How to get a police certificate

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All NZ passport holders are issued 90 days on arrival and all other international passport holders are issued 31 days on arrival

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It is recommended by not compulsory

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Valid Passport, Proof of Accommodation for the duration of your stay, onwards travel plan, sufficient funds for the duration of your stay, completed arrival card

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Review Cook Islands Regulations 2023 Visitor visa and permits Schedule 5 Page 62 - 63

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