Retiree Visa and Permit

The Cook Islands Retiree Visa and Permit lets retired foreign nationals who receive a pension live in the Cook Islands for up to 12 months, renewable annually and indefinitely. Introduced through Cabinet-approved immigration policy changes in January 2024, it is administered by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Immigration (MFAI) under the Cook Islands Immigration Act 2021 and the Immigration Regulations 2023. Crucially, eligibility is pension-based rather than age-based: an early retiree who receives a pension may qualify, while someone of retirement age without a pension may not. It is a visitor-class visa, so no paid employment or business activity is allowed — only unpaid volunteer work.

• Foreign national of any nationality receiving ongoing pension payments from a legitimate provider
• Pension payable into a bank account accessible in the Cook Islands
• Sufficient funds to support yourself for the stay (no fixed figure; amounts are set by tables issued by the principal immigration officer and may differ between Rarotonga and the outer islands)
• Valid and comprehensive medical and travel insurance covering the entire period of stay (mandatory)
• Evidence of paid accommodation for the duration of stay
• Evidence of the means to leave the Cook Islands (pre-purchased onward travel or funds sufficient to buy it)
• Police certificate required for stays of 6 months or more
• No paid employment or business activity; unpaid volunteer work is permitted

• Completed and signed retiree visa application form, with the appropriate fee
• Copy of a valid passport or travel document
• Evidence of ongoing pension payments from a legitimate provider
• Proof of comprehensive medical and travel insurance for the full duration of stay
• Evidence of sufficient funds in the applicant's own name (cash, traveller's cheques, bank statements or drafts accessible from the Cook Islands, or credit/debit cards in the applicant's name)
• Evidence of paid accommodation for the duration of stay
• Evidence of the means to leave the Cook Islands
• Medical certificates and police certificate if required (police certificate for stays of 6 months or more)

The visa is granted for 12 months and may be renewed annually. Holders can extend for a further 12 months without being required to leave the Cook Islands between permits, and the permit can be renewed indefinitely as long as the eligibility criteria continue to be met. It does not directly lead to permanent residency, which requires 10 years of residence (3 years for New Zealand citizens) plus a significant and positive contribution to the Cook Islands.

No specific dependant provisions have been published for the retiree visa. Family members wishing to accompany a retiree may need to apply separately under standard visitor visa categories.

Holders present in the Cook Islands for more than 183 days in a 12-month period may be treated as tax residents and taxed on worldwide income. Personal income tax rates are 0% on the first NZD 10,000 (pro-rated by days of residence), 25% on NZD 10,001–30,000, and 30% on income above NZD 30,000. There is no capital gains tax, no inheritance tax, and no withholding taxes.

Applications are submitted online through the ASYPX visa and permit application system at mfai.gov.ck/immigration, where applicants create an account, complete the retiree visa application form, upload the required documents, and pay by credit or debit card. In-person appointments remain available by contacting MFAI by email. As a visitor-class permit, the application fee follows Schedule 11 of the Immigration Regulations 2023 — NZD 470.00 (VAT-inclusive) for an onshore visitor permit extension or long-term visitor visa and permit; there is no fee for the visitor permit granted on first arrival at the airport. The official application form advises allowing up to 20 working days for the application to be assessed.