Cook Islands (self-governing country in free association with New Zealand) visas
Cook Islands Visa Atlas coverage is based on the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Immigration (MFAI) immigration and visa/permit criteria pages. The current packet covers Cook Islands visitor entry, long-term visitor status, international, government and specialist worker permits, resident investor, resident spouse, special spouse, adult student, research, intern, international child, resident child and permanent residence routes; applicants should check Cook Islands MFAI guidance rather than assuming New Zealand immigration status automatically covers every Cook Islands purpose.
15 routes · 6 without a sponsor · 1 lead to settlement
Official portal
Primary source
MFAI - Immigration ↗ · Cook Islands Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Immigration (MFAI)
Link last verified:
Regulators of immigration advice
- Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Immigration (MFAI) — Official Cook Islands immigration authority publishing immigration guidance, visa and permit criteria, entry rules and status guidance.
- Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Immigration - Visa and Permit Criteria (MFAI Criteria) — Official criteria page for Cook Islands visitor, worker, investor, spouse, student, research, intern, child and related permit classes.
Visa routes (15)
New Zealand Visitor Entry
Cook Islands visitor-entry handling for New Zealand passport holders or New Zealand-status visitors checking MFAI visitor criteria.
No sponsor needed · Non-settlement · Last reviewed 17 August 2026
International Visitor Entry
Cook Islands visitor-entry route for international travellers visiting for tourism, family or short business activity.
No sponsor needed · Non-settlement · Last reviewed 17 August 2026
Long-Term Visitor Permit
Cook Islands long-stay visitor status for people remaining beyond ordinary short visitor entry without working.
No sponsor needed · Non-settlement · Last reviewed 17 August 2026
International Worker Permit
Cook Islands work-permit route for international workers taking local employment.
Sponsor required · Non-settlement · Last reviewed 17 August 2026
Government Worker Permit
Cook Islands permit category for workers engaged by or through government-linked employment arrangements.
Sponsor required · Non-settlement · Last reviewed 17 August 2026
Specialist Worker Permit
Cook Islands worker category for specialist services or specialist employment that MFAI handles separately from general work.
Sponsor required · Non-settlement · Last reviewed 17 August 2026
Resident Investor Permit
Cook Islands residence route for investors using the MFAI resident-investor category.
No sponsor needed · Non-settlement · Last reviewed 17 August 2026
Resident Spouse Permit
Cook Islands family residence category for spouses using MFAI resident-spouse criteria.
Sponsor required · Non-settlement · Last reviewed 17 August 2026
Special Spouse Permit
Cook Islands spouse-related permit category for cases that MFAI treats separately from ordinary resident-spouse handling.
Sponsor required · Non-settlement · Last reviewed 17 August 2026
Adult Student Permit
Cook Islands student-status category for adult international students.
No sponsor needed · Non-settlement · Last reviewed 17 August 2026
Research Permit
Cook Islands permit category for people conducting research activity.
Sponsor required · Non-settlement · Last reviewed 17 August 2026
Intern Permit
Cook Islands permit category for internships or structured practical placements.
Sponsor required · Non-settlement · Last reviewed 17 August 2026
International Child Permit
Cook Islands status category for international children who need local permission to stay.
Sponsor required · Non-settlement · Last reviewed 17 August 2026
Resident Child Permit
Cook Islands family-residence status category for resident children.
Sponsor required · Non-settlement · Last reviewed 17 August 2026
Permanent Residence
Cook Islands permanent residence route published by MFAI for people seeking long-term permanent status.
No sponsor needed · Leads to settlement · Last reviewed 30 June 2026
Planning life after your move?
Organise documents, arrival money, housing and the practical steps after visa approval. Your route conditions remain the starting point.
Frequently asked questions
How many visa routes does Cook Islands (self-governing country in free association with New Zealand) have?+
We cover 15 Cook Islands (self-governing country in free association with New Zealand) visa routes in these categories: visitor and short business, general residence, sponsored work, investor, family, and study. Each one links to its primary government source and carries a last-reviewed date.
Which Cook Islands (self-governing country in free association with New Zealand) visas do not need an employer sponsor?+
6 of the 15 Cook Islands (self-governing country in free association with New Zealand) routes we cover can be pursued without an employer sponsor, which helps if you do not have a job offer yet. The remaining 9 are employer-sponsored.
Which Cook Islands (self-governing country in free association with New Zealand) visas lead to permanent residence?+
1 of the 15 routes can lead to settlement or permanent residence; the others are temporary. Open each route for its settlement detail and qualifying period.
Need tailored advice?
We do not provide legal advice. For an application that depends on your exact circumstances, consult a regulator-listed immigration advisor.
Find a regulated advisor in Cook Islands