Policy - Diplomatic passports
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Tuwhiria te Tikanga
Policy - Diplomatic passports
1982
Background
Diplomatic Passports can be issued to applicants when a letter approving eligibility is received from The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (MFAT).
It is acceptable for a person to hold both a standard and a Diplomatic Passport. Diplomatic Passports are processed by Life and Identity Services
Act
Officers performing Special Operations duties.
Policystatements
EntitlementtoDiplomaticPassports
New Zealand citizens in the following categories or with the following titles are entitled to travel on a Diplomatic Passport:
Title
Spouse Entitlement
Governor-General
ü
Aide-De-Camp to Governor General
Personal Assistant to Governor General
Official Secretary, Government House
Chief Justice
ü
Information
Prime Minister
ü
Speaker of The House
ü
Cabinet Ministers, Ministers of the Crown
ü
Ministerial Staff:
• SPS (Senior Private Secretaries) to PM and Ministers
• Prime Minister’s Chief of Staff
Official
• All other Private Secretaries, Press Secretaries, Executive Assistants to Ministers
Leader of The Opposition
ü
the
Chiefs of Staff:
• Chief of Defence Force
• Chief of Naval Staff
• Chief of Air Staff
• Chief of Army General Staff
Commissioner of Police
ü
under
NZ Police – DPS (Diplomatic Protection Squad)
Permanent Heads/Chief Executives of Government Departments/Ministries.
ü
Officers of Parliament
ü
Governor of Reserve Bank
ü
MFAT – Officers taking up positions at overseas posts
ü
MFAT – Dependant children of Officers taking up positions at overseas posts. (Validity not to exceed
21st birthday for dependant children accompanying officer on posting)
MFAT – Chief Executive
ü
Released
MFAT – contracted Tradespersons/technicians
Other Government Officials at the discretion of MFAT
Diplomatic Passports are released to spouses (who are entitled to hold them) if they are accompanying their spouse travelling on diplomatic
business. If travel is private, then standard passports must be used.
CriteriafortheissueofDiplomaticPassports
Policy - Diplomatic passports
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Diplomatic Passports can only be issued when approval has been obtained on letterhead from MFAT. The approval can only be signed by
an appropriate authorised signatory. Special Operations hold a file of authorised signatories.
Applicationrequirements
Applicants must provide the following items with their application for a Diplomatic Passport:
• Completed application for New Zealand Passport (PAS1)
• Full fee – there is no provision to waive the fees
• Applications for Diplomatic Passports should be accompanied by a letter from MFAT approving the issue of a Diplomatic Passport for the
applicant.
Validity
The validity given to a Diplomatic Passport is determined by MFAT.
Cancel ation
Diplomatic Passports must be cancelled when a person is no longer eligible to hold a Diplomatic Passport or when a new government is elected.
1982
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Act
Information
Official
the
under
Released
Policy - Official passports
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Tuwhiria te Tikanga
Policy - Official passports
1982
Background
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Government Officials or employees of business groups representing New Zealand overseas are entitled to apply for an Official Passport.
Official Passports are processed by Life and Identity Services Officer performing Special Operations Duties.
Act
Policystatements
Entitlement to Official Passports
The following list represents New Zealand citizens who may be entitled to travel on an Official Passport. These are:
• Judges of the High Court and Court of Appeal
• Members of the House of Representatives travelling on an official mission of non-diplomatic character
• Permanent New Zealand Government officials of non-diplomatic status proceeding to an official mission, or to a post abroad
• Accompanying spouses and minor unmarried children travelling with Government Officials at Government expense or proceeding to join
them at a post.
Criteria for the Issue of Official Passports
As a general rule Official Passports should only be issued when the full cost of travel, accommodation and salary is being met by the New
Zealand Government and travel is being undertaken for the government.
Information
The following citizens are exempt from this rule:
• Members of parliament.
• Judges of the High Court and Court of Appeal.
• Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (MFAT) staff and their families taking up positions at overseas posts.
• Ministry of Defence personnel attending training courses at Defence Colleges overseas (including Australia) or undertaking an official
peace keeping mission.
Official Passports should only be issued to Government Officials who are travelling to countries where it may be difficult or time consuming to
obtain visas or where there may be political problems or hostilities.
Official
Issuance of Official Passports
The following list displays citizens who are not entitled to an Official Passport:
• Spouses of Members of the House of Representatives.
• Staff of State Owned Enterprises/Corporations.
the
• Aide officials engaged by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
• Government Officials taking up a study grant or exchange.
Official Passports must not be used for travel:
• to Taiwan
• of a private nature, except for short stopovers en route during an official journey.
Standard passports should be used for official travel to Australia or the Pacific Islands. Official Passports can be used for travel beyond these
under
regions.
Note:
Applicants should be encouraged to use a standard passport and carry other forms of identification to indicate their occupation or mission.
Application requirements
Applicants for an Official Passport must provide the following items:
• Completed application for New Zealand Passport (PAS1)
• Full fee – there is no provision to waive the fees
• A letter on official letterhead, signed by an authorising officer on behalf of the sponsoring department.
The following table displays information that the authorising officer from the sponsoring department must provide in the letter.
Information in letter
Applicant type
Released
Full name and designation of officer (and/or spouse)
All Applicants
Reason for travel / purpose of mission
All Applicants
Destination
All Applicants
Date of departure
All Applicants
Policy - Official passports
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Date or length of stay overseas (This is necessary to calculate the expiry date needed.)
All Applicants except
Members of Parliament
Certification that the officer is a permanent public servant in terms of the State Sector Act 1988
All Applicants except
Members of Parliament
Validity
Designation
Time
Members of Parliament The validity date of Official Passports issued to Members of Parliament is only to the end of the
parliamentary term, i.e. three years and six months from the date of election.
Other Government
Validity is a maximum of ten years and a minimum of one year.
Officials
Validity is based on the time it takes to complete the journey to be undertaken.
1982
Note:
Visa regulations of the countries being visited should be considered.
Cancellation
Act
Official Passports issued to Members of Parliament should be returned to the Clerk of the House on completion of the current Parliamentary
term or when the holder is no longer eligible to hold an Official Passport. The passport should be returned to Identity Services to be cancelled
with the option to be returned to the holder to retain as a keepsake.
Information
Official
the
under
Released
Document Outline
- Appendix A.pdf
- Dip passport.pdf
- Dip front.pdf
- Dip back.pdf
- Appendix A
- oOfficial ppt.pdf
- Official front.pdf
- official back.pdf
