Preparing your documents well

Last reviewed 2026-06-21

This lesson covers general good practice for preparing documents. It restates the kinds of evidence Immigration New Zealand commonly asks for and how applicants typically keep them organised. It is not advice about what you specifically should submit; the published checklist for your category, and a Licensed Immigration Adviser, are the right sources for that.

Start from the published checklist

Every category publishes the documents it asks for. Start there, not from a generic list. Our Checklists section restates the common items so you can track your own progress, but always reconcile against the current published requirements.

Common categories of evidence

• Identity: passport and civil documents.
• Qualifications: degrees, transcripts, and where relevant, recognition assessments.
• Skilled employment / income: offer or employment evidence and income evidence.
• Health and character: where a category requires it.

General good practice

• Keep originals safe and work from clear scans.
• Use consistent names and dates across documents.
• Translate where the published guidance requires certified translations.
• Keep a simple index so you can see what is complete and what is outstanding.

Document well, but remember: whether a particular document is needed for a specific application, and how it should be presented, is a question for a Licensed Immigration Adviser who can consider an individual’s full circumstances.