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Cook Islanders and Permanent Residents
Cook Islanders

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
 
Permanent Residents of the Cook Islands

People who have been formally granted the status of Permanent Resident have permission to enter and remain in the Cook Islands.

It is recommended that Permanent Residents arrange to have their passports endorsed with a Permanent Resident stamp to facilitate their travel to the Cook Islands from overseas. See section on Permanent Residency for relevant fees.

Children of Permanent Residents

While the children of Permanent Residents are not granted the status of Permanent Residency, they basically enjoy the same rights as Permanent Residents, including right of entry into the Cook Islands. To facilitate their travel to the Cook Islands, a new endorsement was created to confirm their right of entry into the Cook Islands.

Fees

Application and endorsement of the passport - $30.

Evidence Required

• The applicant’s full birth certificate
• Evidence that one of the parent’s is a Permanent Resident of the Cook Islands

Cancellation of Permanent Residency

The Minister responsible for Immigration may cancel any permanent residency certificate granted if the person to whom the certificate relates is absent from the Cook Islands continuously for a period exceeding three years in circumstances indicating that the person has ceased to make his home in the Cook Islands.