VEVO and Police Check Document Requirements for New Zealand Citizens and Foreign Passport Holders

New Zealand citizens and other foreign nationals applying for an Australian police check may need to provide evidence of both their identity and their Australian immigration status.

A current foreign passport is an important identity document, but it may not satisfy the commencement-of-identity requirement by itself. Depending on the applicant’s circumstances, it may need to be supported by a current Australian visa record obtained through Visa Entitlement Verification Online, commonly known as VEVO.

Some foreign nationals who cannot obtain or use a recognised passport may instead have an ImmiCard or another official immigration or travel document issued by the Australian Government.

This guide explains the document requirements for New Zealand citizens and other foreign passport holders applying for a Nationally Coordinated Criminal History Check through AuthNTick.

What documents are required for an Australian police check?

Applicants for a Nationally Coordinated Criminal History Check must provide identity documents that satisfy the applicable Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission identity requirements.

The identity documents generally need to establish:

• the applicant’s commencement of identity in Australia;
• the applicant’s identity while operating in the community;
• the applicant’s current residential address; and
• a clear link between the documents and the person applying for the check.

The required combination depends on the documents available to the applicant and the identity category satisfied by each document.

A commencement-of-identity document may include:

• a full Australian birth certificate;
• a current Australian passport;
• an Australian citizenship certificate;
• a valid Australian visa, including a VEVO record or printout; or
• an official immigration record or document issued by the Department of Home Affairs or the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.

Applicants must also provide the required primary and secondary identity documents.

Foreign nationals residing in or visiting Australia

A person who is not an Australian citizen but is residing in or visiting Australia may have several commencement-of-identity document options.

For most foreign passport holders, the most readily available option is evidence of their current Australian visa.

A visa holder can generally use the Department of Home Affairs’ VEVO service to view and provide evidence of their current visa details and conditions.

Where a VEVO record is used as commencement-of-identity evidence, it should be provided with the valid foreign passport associated with that visa record. The passport and visa details must relate to the same person and should be consistent with the information entered in the police check application.

A foreign passport without supporting Australian visa or immigration evidence may not, by itself, satisfy the commencement-of-identity requirement.

What is VEVO?

VEVO stands for Visa Entitlement Verification Online.

It is a Department of Home Affairs service that allows visa holders and authorised organisations to check current Australian visa information and applicable visa conditions.

A VEVO record may show information such as:

• the visa currently in effect;
• the visa subclass;
• the period of authorised stay;
• work rights;
• study rights; and
• applicable visa conditions.

VEVO only displays visa information that is currently available through the Department of Home Affairs’ electronic systems.

It does not determine the outcome of a police check and does not replace the other identity documents required for a Nationally Coordinated Criminal History Check.

Using a foreign passport with VEVO

Where a person holds a current foreign passport and a valid Australian visa, the visa will usually be electronically associated with the passport details held by Home Affairs.

The applicant may be able to access their visa record in VEVO using:

• their current passport details;
• their date of birth;
• a visa grant number;
• a transaction reference number; or
• another reference number recognised by Home Affairs.

The information entered into VEVO must match the details held by Home Affairs.

If the person has obtained a new passport, they may need to update their passport information with Home Affairs before the visa record can be correctly linked to the new passport.

Alternative immigration and travel documents

Not every foreign national will have a conventional passport that can be used with a VEVO record.

Certain visa holders, refugees, humanitarian entrants and other eligible people may hold an official immigration or travel document issued by the Australian Government.

Depending on the document, its validity and the applicable identity requirements, an official immigration document may be accepted as commencement-of-identity evidence.

Possible documents include the following.

ImmiCard

An ImmiCard is a secure identity card issued by the Department of Home Affairs to certain visa holders who do not have, and cannot obtain, a passport recognised by the Australian Government.

An ImmiCard helps eligible visa holders establish their commencement of identity in Australia.

Different types of ImmiCards have been issued over time. Applicants should provide the current document available to them and ensure that the details are clear and readable.

If personal details have changed, follow Home Affairs guidance to update ImmiCard, DFTTA or PL056 details.

Document for Travel to Australia

A Document for Travel to Australia, or DFTTA, may be issued to certain offshore refugee or humanitarian visa holders for their initial journey to Australia.

A DFTTA is normally issued for a specific journey. It should not automatically be treated as a current, general-purpose substitute for a passport after its intended use has ended.

Whether it can be accepted for a police check will depend on:

• the document’s status and validity;
• the identity information shown;
• the applicant’s current immigration documents; and
• the applicable ACIC identity requirements.

AuthNTick may request additional or more current evidence before accepting the application.

PL056 or M56 Visa Evidence Card

A PL056, sometimes referred to as an M56, is a historical Visa Evidence Card that may have been issued to certain Protection visa or Bridging visa holders.

As these are historical document types, applicants may need to provide additional current identity or immigration evidence.

AuthNTick may need to review the document before confirming whether it can be accepted for the selected check.

Convention Travel Document or Titre de Voyage

A Convention Travel Document, sometimes known as a Titre de Voyage, may be issued to an eligible refugee or other qualifying person who cannot obtain a passport from their country of nationality.

A travel document does not automatically establish the holder’s current Australian visa conditions. The applicant may also need to provide a VEVO record, ImmiCard or another official Home Affairs document, depending on their circumstances.

Can every foreign national use VEVO?

No. Although many Australian visa holders can access their current visa details through VEVO, not every applicant will have a searchable electronic record or be able to use a passport-based VEVO search.

VEVO may be unable to locate a visa where:

• the passport details were entered incorrectly;
• the visa is linked to an old passport;
• the applicant is using incorrect reference information;
• the visa is no longer in effect;
• the person holds a document that is not searched using ordinary passport details;
• the person’s current status is not available through VEVO; or
• a historical permanent visa has not been electronically recorded.

A failed VEVO search does not, by itself, establish that a person is unlawfully present in Australia.

The applicant may need to contact the Department of Home Affairs or provide another acceptable government-issued immigration document.

Evidence expected from foreign applicants

Foreign nationals applying for a Nationally Coordinated Criminal History Check should generally be prepared to provide evidence of their Australian immigration status.

Depending on the applicant’s circumstances, this may include:

• a current foreign passport and matching VEVO record;
• an ImmiCard;
• another official immigration document issued by Home Affairs;
• an eligible Australian visa record;
• an official Australian travel document; or
• written evidence from the relevant government department explaining why conventional visa evidence is unavailable.

AuthNTick cannot guarantee that every immigration or travel document will satisfy the identity requirements.

Documents must be reviewed against the requirements applying to the selected check.

Documents for foreign passport holders

A foreign passport holder may need to provide:

• a current foreign passport;
• a current VEVO record showing an Australian visa;
• evidence of their current residential address;
• additional primary or secondary identity documents; and
• an official name-linkage document where their documents show different names.

A passport and VEVO record may not, by themselves, satisfy every identity-document category required for the application.

Applicants should follow the document instructions presented during the AuthNTick application process.

Is a New Zealand passport enough for an Australian police check?

A current New Zealand passport is not ordinarily sufficient by itself to satisfy all police-check identity requirements.

New Zealand citizens may need to provide:

• a current New Zealand passport;
• a VEVO record showing their current Australian visa status;
• evidence of their current residential address;
• any additional primary and secondary identity documents; and
• official name-linkage evidence where the names on their documents differ.

For many New Zealand citizens, the relevant visa will be a Special Category Visa, subclass 444.

Special Category Visas for New Zealand citizens

Eligible New Zealand citizens travelling to Australia on a valid New Zealand passport are generally granted a Special Category Visa, subclass 444, when they enter Australia.

The Special Category Visa is generally a temporary visa. It allows an eligible New Zealand citizen to remain in Australia while they continue to meet the relevant requirements.

It usually ceases when the holder leaves Australia. An eligible New Zealand citizen may be granted another Special Category Visa when they next enter Australia.

A Special Category Visa should not generally be described as an Australian permanent visa, even though particular laws may treat certain New Zealand citizens differently for citizenship or other specific purposes.

Obtaining a VEVO record as a New Zealand citizen

A New Zealand citizen whose current visa information is recorded electronically can generally obtain evidence of it through VEVO.

The person should ensure that:

• their passport is current;
• the passport details entered into VEVO are correct;
• the visa is associated with their current passport;
• their name and date of birth match the Home Affairs record; and
• any required visa or transaction reference details are entered correctly.

Where VEVO cannot find the record, the applicant may need to contact Home Affairs before submitting their police check documents.

Long-term residents who arrived before 1990

Some long-term residents may not have a searchable electronic visa record.

Home Affairs guidance on proof of permanent residence advises that a person who migrated to Australia before 1990 and has not travelled outside Australia may not have an electronic record of their permanent visa.

An eligible person may be able to ask Home Affairs to create an electronic record of an existing permanent visa.

This process may be relevant where the person:

• already holds a permanent visa;
• last entered Australia before 1990;
• does not have an electronic record of that permanent visa; and
• needs electronic evidence of the existing permanent visa.

This process records an existing permanent visa. It should not be described as automatically granting a new visa or creating permanent resident status.

Evidence required to create an electronic permanent visa record

Home Affairs may ask the applicant to provide information or evidence concerning:

• their first arrival in Australia;
• later travel into and out of Australia;
• previous passports or travel documents;
• historical visa documents or passport endorsements;
• their identity; and
• their residence in Australia.

Where original arrival evidence is unavailable, the applicant may need to investigate:

• historical passenger arrival records;
• international movement records;
• records held by the National Archives of Australia; or
• other government immigration records.

The Department of Home Affairs determines whether an electronic record can be created.

AuthNTick cannot create that record on the applicant’s behalf.

People who arrived before 1 June 1959

A person who arrived in Australia before 1 June 1959 and has not left Australia since their arrival may, depending on their individual immigration history, be considered a former Australian permanent resident.

If the person intends to travel overseas and return to Australia as a permanent resident, they may need to apply for a Resident Return Visa, subclass 155 or subclass 157.

They may be asked to provide:

• evidence of their first arrival in Australia;
• identity documents;
• historical immigration documents; and
• evidence demonstrating their residence in Australia.

The Department of Home Affairs determines the person’s status and eligibility.

New Zealand citizens who arrived before 1 September 1994

A New Zealand citizen who arrived in Australia before 1 September 1994 without a permit and can demonstrate that they were usually resident in Australia before that date may, depending on their immigration history, be considered a former Australian permanent resident.

Arrival before 1 September 1994 does not, by itself, prove that a person currently holds permanent resident status.

Home Affairs may require evidence concerning:

• the person’s first arrival in Australia;
• later travel into and out of Australia;
• their residence in Australia before 1 September 1994;
• current and historical identity documents; and
• relevant immigration records.

Where the person wishes to travel overseas and return as a permanent resident, a Resident Return Visa may be required.

What is a Resident Return Visa?

A Resident Return Visa, subclass 155 or subclass 157, may allow an Australian permanent resident or an eligible former permanent resident to return to Australia after travelling overseas.

Holding Australian permanent resident status and holding a current travel facility are not necessarily the same thing.

A person may be permitted to remain in Australia indefinitely but still require a valid travel facility to leave and return as a permanent resident.

The Department of Home Affairs determines whether a person qualifies for a Resident Return Visa.

Is an electronic record required before applying for an RRV?

A person applying for a Resident Return Visa does not necessarily need to request creation of a separate electronic visa record before lodging the RRV application.

Home Affairs may create or update the relevant electronic record while processing the Resident Return Visa application.

Applicants may need to provide:

• evidence of their first arrival in Australia;
• evidence of later travel;
• identity documents; and
• evidence of residence in Australia.

New Zealand citizens may also be asked to provide evidence of their movements into and out of Australia.

What if the person does not intend to travel?

A long-term permanent resident who does not intend to travel overseas but requires electronic evidence of their permanent residence may be able to request creation of an electronic record of their existing permanent visa.

Once the record has been created, the person may be able to use VEVO to prove their permanent visa status.

This may be relevant for:

• a Nationally Coordinated Criminal History Check;
• an identity-verification process;
• employment screening;
• a licence or registration application; or
• another lawful verification purpose.

What if the names on the documents differ?

The documents provided for a police check must consistently establish the identity of the applicant.

Where the name on a passport, VEVO record, ImmiCard or other immigration document differs from the applicant’s current name, the applicant may need to provide an official name-linkage document.

This may include:

• an Australian marriage certificate;
• an official change-of-name certificate;
• a deed poll or recognised historical name-change document; or
• another government-issued document connecting the names.

Applicants should enter their details exactly as they appear on their identity documents.

Can AuthNTick create or change a visa record?

No. AuthNTick cannot:

• grant, cancel or extend a visa;
• determine a person’s immigration status;
• create or amend a Home Affairs immigration record;
• link a visa to a new passport;
• update passport details held by Home Affairs;
• determine whether a person is an Australian permanent resident;
• create an electronic permanent visa record; or
• grant a Resident Return Visa.

AuthNTick may conduct an authorised VEVO check using information and consent provided by the applicant.

The underlying visa information is maintained by the Department of Home Affairs.

Applicants must contact Home Affairs where their record is unavailable, incorrect or associated with an old passport.

Can an Australian citizen use VEVO?

VEVO is used to check visa information. It is not used to prove Australian citizenship.

An Australian citizen should generally use an acceptable Australian commencement-of-identity document, such as:

• a current Australian passport;
• a full Australian birth certificate; or
• an Australian citizenship certificate.

A historical visa record should not ordinarily be used to establish the current status of a person who is now an Australian citizen.

Before applying for your police check

Before starting an application, New Zealand citizens and other foreign nationals should confirm that they have:

• an acceptable commencement-of-identity document;
• a current passport where applicable;
• a matching and current VEVO record where required;
• proof of their current residential address;
• the required additional primary and secondary documents; and
• official evidence connecting any different names.

Where a VEVO record cannot be obtained, the applicant should contact Home Affairs or provide another acceptable official immigration document.

Providing complete, current and consistent documents helps reduce delays and prevents an application from being returned for further information.

Complete your check through AuthNTick

AuthNTick provides online Nationally Coordinated Criminal History Checks and related identity and visa-verification services.

Eligible customers may use AuthNTick to complete:

• a Nationally Coordinated Criminal History Check;
• an Australian Federal Police Check, where applicable;
• a VEVO work-rights check; and
• identity-verification services.

Applications are completed online, and supporting identity documents are handled through AuthNTick’s secure platform.

Frequently asked questions

Can I use only my foreign passport for a police check?

Usually not. A foreign passport may be accepted in one identity-document category, but you may also need a VEVO record or another acceptable commencement-of-identity document.

Must my VEVO record match my passport?

Yes. Where a passport-based visa record is used, the passport and VEVO details should relate to the same person and match the information held by Home Affairs.

Can I use an ImmiCard instead of a passport?

An eligible and valid ImmiCard may help establish commencement of identity for a person who does not have and cannot obtain a recognised passport. Additional identity documents may still be required.

Does a DFTTA permanently replace a passport?

No. A DFTTA is generally issued for a particular journey to Australia and should not automatically be treated as a permanent substitute for a passport or current identity evidence.

Can every foreign national access VEVO?

No. Many visa holders can use VEVO, but some historical visa holders or people with particular documents may not have an ordinary passport-searchable electronic record.

Can I use only my New Zealand passport?

Usually not. A New Zealand citizen may also need a current VEVO record and the other identity documents required for the check.

Is the subclass 444 Special Category Visa permanent?

No. The subclass 444 Special Category Visa is generally a temporary visa, although separate rules may apply to particular holders for citizenship and other legislative purposes.

What happens if VEVO cannot find my visa?

Check that your passport and reference details are correct and that your visa is linked to your current passport. If it still cannot be located, contact the Department of Home Affairs.

Can AuthNTick create my electronic visa record?

No. Only the Department of Home Affairs can create or amend the underlying immigration record.

Does arriving before 1 September 1994 automatically make a New Zealand citizen a permanent resident?

No. Home Affairs assesses the person’s immigration history, residence and supporting evidence. Arrival before that date alone does not prove current permanent resident status.

Important notice

This article provides general information about identity-document and visa-evidence requirements. It is not legal or immigration advice.

Visa status, permanent residence, Special Category Visa eligibility, electronic visa-record requests and Resident Return Visa eligibility are determined by the Australian Department of Home Affairs.

Identity-document requirements may vary according to the type and purpose of a check. Applicants should review the current application instructions and official government guidance before relying on this information.