Cook Islanders travelling on New Zealand or other recognised passports or travel documents do not require a permit to enter the Cook Islands. This also applies to people granted Permanent Residency Status in the Cook Islands and their children.

“Cook Islander” means a person belonging to the part of the Polynesian race indigenous to the Cook Islands; and any person descended from a Cook Islander.

Cook Islanders & Cook Islands Status

Cook Islanders and their descendants born in or outside the Cook Islands may apply to be granted Cook Islands Status at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs & Immigration in Avarua, Rarotonga, Cook Islands. If approved, a ‘Cook Islands Status’ stamp may be endorsed in the applicant’s passport.

The endorsement of Cook Islands Status in a passport signifies that the holder has right of entry into the Cook Islands. This status facilitates the return

The onus is on the applicant to establish that they are a Cook Islander or a descendant of a Cook Islander. They may do this by providing evidence of linkage to a Cook Islander, such as:
• their own full birth certificate;
• parents full birth certificate;
• grandparents full birth certificate;
• genealogy;
• land ownership in the Cook Islands.

Only original documents will be accepted. Applications lodged without the relevant original documents will not be processed.

The grant and endorsement of Cook Islands Status in the traveller’s passport facilitates the holder’s travel to the Cook Islands.

Fees

Application for Cook Islands Status - $10

Endorsement of Passport with Cook Islands Status - $20