Visas and permits

• (a) Must meet general requirements related to translations, evidence of identity, character, and health.
• (b) Must meet the general requirements of evidence of sufficient funds for themselves, and if applicable, any dependent children, or must have a sponsor.
• (c) Must provide evidence that their relationship with their spouse is:
  • (i) genuine;
  • (ii) stable; and
  • (iii) likely to endure.
• (d) Must be in a monogamous relationship (with only one person).
• (e) Must pay the prescribed fee.

An applicant must meet the following criteria:

• (a) The applicant must meet general requirements related to translations, evidence of identity, character, and health.
• (b) The applicant must have a parent or guardian who is approved for a Resident Spouse or Resident Investor Visa and Permit, or a parent or guardian who is a Cook Islander or a permanent resident.
• (c) The applicant’s parent or guardian must meet the evidence of sufficient funds requirement for themselves and the dependent child, or the dependent child must have sponsorship.
• (d) The applicant must be single (the dependent child cannot have a spouse of their own).
• (e) The applicant must provide:
  • (i) An original birth certificate showing the names of parent or parents.
  • (ii) Adoption papers showing that they have been legally adopted by their parent or guardian.
• (f) The applicant must provide evidence of their parent or guardian’s right to bring them to the Cook Islands.
• (g) The applicant must pay the prescribed fee.

An applicant:

• (a) Must meet general requirements related to translations, evidence of identity, character, health, evidence of sufficient funds, and onwards travel.
• (b) Must agree to sharing of information and documents between Cook Islands Immigration and the BTIB to enable a shared decision-making process.
• (c) Must have a contract with one of the following:
  • (i) A Cook Islands Government agency, to provide technical expertise or specialist consulting services.
  • (ii) A Cook Islands registered business or incorporated society, to provide goods or services in the Cook Islands (shared BTIB criteria).
  • (iii) An overseas business working in the Cook Islands that the BTIB has approved as a foreign enterprise.
• (d) Must pay the prescribed fee.

An applicant:

• (a) Must meet general requirements related to translations, evidence of identity, character, and health, as well as maintaining sufficient funds for themselves and any dependent children, or must have a sponsor.
• (b) Must agree to sharing of information and documents between Cook Islands Immigration and the government agency that has made a job offer or endorsed the programme or initiative under which they are employed or intend to volunteer.
• (c) Must have a written:
  • (i) Offer of employment or a written contract with a government agency that meets the minimum terms and conditions required by the Employment Relations Act 2012; or
  • (ii) Contract that meets the minimum terms and conditions required by the Employment Relations Act 2012 with a registered business, registered private school, or incorporated society that is supporting the government-endorsed programme or initiative, along with a letter of support from that Government agency; or
  • (iii) If the applicant is a volunteer, an agreement with the government agency, or the business or incorporated society that is supporting the government-endorsed programme or initiative, along with a letter of support from that Government agency.
• (d) Must pay the prescribed fee.

An applicant:

• (a) Must meet general requirements related to translations, evidence of identity, character, and health.
• (b) Must meet the general requirements of evidence of sufficient funds for themselves, and if applicable, their spouse and dependent children, or must have a sponsor.
• (c) Must have the required evidence of an onwards travel plan or pay a bond for themselves, and if applicable, for their spouse and any dependent children.
• (d) Must have evidence of English language proficiency.
• (e) Must:
  • (i) Have a written offer of employment in the Cook Islands that meets the minimum terms and conditions required by the Employment Relations Act 2012 and these regulations; and
  • (ii) Have evidence that their prospective employer has:
    • (A) Publicly advertised the availability of their vacant position;
    • (B) Failed to fill the position with a suitable Cook Islander or permanent resident under the same terms and conditions as those offered to the international worker; and
    • (C) Agreed to enrol them in, and allow them time off to attend, a values or language programme (unless they have already completed a programme).
• (f) If the applicant has previously held an International Worker Permit, must have evidence of:
  • (i) Holding a revenue division management number and having paid any required taxes and superannuation.
  • (ii) Completing a values or language programme.
• (g) Unless the applicant comes within a special skills category approved by the Minister or is entitled to more favourable treatment under an international agreement (e.g., Pacer Plus), must not have held more than two International Worker Permits immediately before the application is made without having left the Cook Islands for a period longer than one year (meaning that, unless the applicant has special skills or is entitled to more favourable treatment under an international agreement (e.g., Pacer Plus), a stay as an international worker cannot extend for more than six years without a one-year break).
• (h) Must have left the Cook Islands for a period of 1 month or more during the term of each previous International Worker Permit held (meaning that at least 1 month out of every 36-month permit must have been spent offshore).
• (i) Must provide a curriculum vitae or similar document setting out the applicant’s qualifications, skills, and experience for the position that they are to fill.
• (j) Must pay the prescribed fee.

An applicant:

• (a) Must meet general requirements related to translations, evidence of identity, character, and health.
• (b) Must meet the general requirements of evidence of sufficient funds for themselves, and if applicable, their spouse and dependent children, or must have sponsorship.
• (c) Must have evidence of English language proficiency.
• (d) Must agree to sharing of information and documents between Cook Islands Immigration and the BTIB to enable a shared decision-making process.
• (e) Must have or obtain BTIB approval to register as a foreign entity or be registered as a foreign entity and meet all the requirements of any legislation, regulations, or codes relevant to their investment.
• (f) If the applicant has previously held an investor permit, must have evidence of:
  • (i) Holding a revenue division management number and having paid any required taxes and superannuation;
  • (ii) Completing a values or language programme.
• (g) Must pay the prescribed fee.

The applicant must meet the following criteria:

• (a) The applicant must meet general requirements related to translations, evidence of identity, character, health, and onwards travel.
• (b) The applicant’s parent or guardian must be approved for a Government Worker or International Worker Visa and Permit.
• (c) The applicant’s parent or guardian must meet the evidence of sufficient funds requirement for themselves and the dependent student, or must have sponsorship.
• (d) The applicant must agree to sharing of information and documents between Cook Islands Immigration and the Ministry of Education, and provide the Ministry of Education with all required pre-enrolment information.
• (e) The applicant must be single (the dependent student cannot have a spouse).
• (f) The applicant must not intend to undertake work for gain or reward for more than 20 hours a week while in the Cook Islands without the permission of the principal immigration officer.
• (g) The applicant must provide:
  • (i) An original birth certificate showing the names of their parent or parents; or
  • (ii) Adoption papers showing that they have been legally adopted by their parent or guardian.
• (h) The applicant must provide evidence of their parent or guardian’s right to bring them to the Cook Islands.
• (i) The applicant must pay the prescribed fee.

An applicant:

• (a) Must meet general requirements related to translations, evidence of identity, character, and health.
• (b) Must meet the general requirements of evidence of sufficient funds or must have a sponsor.
• (c) Must have the required evidence of an onwards travel plan or pay a bond.
• (d) Must have evidence of English language proficiency.
• (e) Must be a bona fide student, not intending to undertake work for gain or reward for more than 20 hours a week while in the Cook Islands without the permission of the principal immigration officer.
• (f) Must have a written offer of a place of study at a Cook Islands Government school or registered private school that includes:
  • (i) The name of the Cook Islands Government school or registered private school.
  • (ii) The program of study that the student intends to undertake.
  • (iii) The date on which the program of study commences.
  • (iv) The minimum time needed to complete the program of study.
  • (v) If the student intends to undertake the program of study at part-time hours, how many hours of study this comprises.
  • (vi) Dates of any vacations and holidays during the program.
• (g) If the applicant has previously held an International Adult Student Permit with permission to work, must have evidence of:
  • (i) Holding a revenue division management number and having paid any required taxes and superannuation.
  • (ii) Completing a values or language program.
• (h) Must not have held more than five International Adult Student Permits immediately before the application is made (meaning that their stay as an International Adult Student cannot extend for a continuous period of more than 6 years).
• (i) Must pay the prescribed fee.

An applicant:

• (a) Must meet general requirements related to translations, evidence of identity, character, and health.
• (b) Must meet the general requirements of evidence of sufficient funds or must be sponsored by an accepted university or suitable organisation.
• (c) Must have approval from the Cook Islands Research Committee to undertake research specifically in the Cook Islands.
• (d) Must be a bona fide researcher, not intending to undertake work for gain or reward while in the Cook Islands.
• (e) Must agree to sharing information and documents between Cook Islands Immigration and the Cook Islands Research Committee.
• (f) If the applicant has previously held an International Adult Student Permit with permission to work, must have evidence of:
  • (i) Holding a revenue division management number and having paid any required taxes and superannuation.
  • (ii) Completing a values or language program.
• (g) Must not have held an international research permit immediately before the application is made (meaning that their stay as an International Researcher cannot extend for a continuous period of more than three years) without having left the Cook Islands for a continuous period of six months.
• (h) Must pay the prescribed fee.

An applicant:

• (a) Must meet general requirements related to translations, evidence of identity, character, and health.
• (b) Must meet the general requirements of evidence of sufficient funds or must have a sponsor.
• (c) Must have the required evidence of an onwards travel plan or pay a bond.
• (d) Must have evidence of English language proficiency.
• (e) Must be a bona fide intern, not intending to undertake work for gain or reward while in the Cook Islands.
• (f) Must have a written offer of internship with a Cook Islands Government agency, registered business or incorporated society that meets the requirements of the Employment Relations Act 2012.
• (g) Must have evidence of:
  • (i) Enrollment in a course of study at a recognized educational institution outside the Cook Islands; or
  • (ii) The completion of a qualification at a recognized educational institution related to the internship that has been completed within the past 12 months.
• (h) Must not have held an International Intern Visa or Permit within the past five years (meaning that staying as an international intern cannot extend over multiple internships).
• (i) Must pay the prescribed fee.

The applicant must be intending a stay of less than 3 months. There is no requirement to apply for a Visa before travelling, and Permits are issued on arrival at the border as long as the following conditions are met (as indicated on the arrival card):

• (a) Must meet general requirements related to evidence of identity, character, and health, and proof of onwards travel.
• (b) Must provide evidence of sufficient funds for themselves, and if applicable, any dependent children.
• (c) Must be a bona fide visitor, not intending to undertake work for gain or reward, or study while in the Cook Islands.

New Zealand Visitor Permits may be extended for a further three months. The applicant:

• (a) Must not have held more than one New Zealand Visitor Visa and Permit immediately before the application is made, without having left the Cook Islands for a continuous period of more than six months (meaning that staying on a New Zealand visitor permit cannot extend beyond six months).
• (b) Must not have held more than one Long-Term Visitor Permit immediately before the application is made, without having left the Cook Islands for a continuous period of more than six months (meaning that staying as a visitor in the Cook Islands cannot extend beyond 12 months at any one time).
• (c) Must pay the prescribed fee for extending the permit.

The applicant must be intending a stay of less than 31 days. There is no requirement to apply for a Visa before travelling, and Permits are issued on arrival at the border as long as the following conditions are met (as indicated on the arrival card):

• (a) Must meet general requirements related to evidence of identity, character, and health, and proof of onwards travel.
• (b) Must provide evidence of sufficient funds for themselves, and if applicable, any dependent children.
• (c) Must be a bona fide visitor, not intending to undertake work for gain or reward, or study while in the Cook Islands.

Extensions: International Visitor Permits may be extended for a further 31 days. The applicant:

• (a) Must not have held more than one International Visitor Permit immediately before the application is made, without having left the Cook Islands for a continuous period of more than six months (meaning staying in the Cook Islands on an International Visitor Permit cannot extend beyond two months).
• (b) Must not have held a Long-Term Visitor Permit immediately before the application is made, without having left the Cook Islands for a continuous period of more than six months (meaning that staying as a visitor cannot extend beyond eight months at any one time).
• (c) Must pay the prescribed fee to extend the International Visa and Permit.

The applicant:

• (a) Must meet general requirements related to translations, evidence of identity, character, health, and onwards travel.
• (b) Must meet the general requirements of evidence of sufficient funds for themselves and, if applicable, dependent children.
• (c) Must hold health insurance for the duration of their permit, to cover any potential health costs or emergencies.
• (d) Must be a bona fide visitor, not intending to undertake work for gain or reward or study while in the Cook Islands.
• (e) Must not extend their stay as a visitor in the Cook Islands:
  • (i) If a New Zealander, beyond 12 months at any one time;
  • (ii) If another foreign national, beyond eight months at any one time.
• (f) Must pay the prescribed fee.

Note: If applying to visit for longer than six months, the applicant must provide evidence of good character and have an acceptable standard of health.

The applicant:

• (a) Must meet general requirements related to translations, evidence of identity, character, and health.
• (b) Must meet the general requirements of evidence of sufficient funds for themselves or have a sponsorship.
• (c) Must provide evidence that their relationship with their spouse is:
  • (i) Genuine;
  • (ii) Stable.
• (d) Must provide evidence that the relationship is monogamous (only with one person).
• (e) Can be granted a Special Spouse Visa and Permit only if their spouse is approved for whatever visa and permit that the spouse is applying for.
• (f) If the applicant has previously held a Special Spouse Permit with conditions allowing work, the applicant must have evidence of:
  • (i) Holding a revenue division management number and having paid any required taxes and superannuation.
• (g) Must not have held more than one Spouse Permit immediately before the application is made, without departing the Cook Islands for a period longer than one year (meaning that staying in the Cook Islands as a spouse cannot extend for a continuous period of six years or more).
• (h) Must pay the prescribed fee.

The applicant:

• (a) Must meet general requirements related to translation, evidence of identity, character, health, and evidence of sufficient funds (which may vary depending on the length of the programme).
• (b) Must have evidence of a genuine need to travel to, enter, and stay in the Cook Islands for a purpose or activity that does not fit within the permissions and conditions of any other visa and permit class or type and meets the satisfaction of Cook Islands Immigration.
• (c) Must not have held another Special Entry Visa or Permit immediately before any application is made in the Cook Islands.
• (d) Must pay the prescribed fee.