Mortgage Document Checklist for Non-Residents and Overseas Buyers
Aug 1, 2025
Applying for a mortgage in New Zealand as a non-resident or overseas buyer involves more documentation and verification than a local application.
Lenders need clear evidence of your identity, income, and the source of your funds to comply with NZ banking and anti-money-laundering rules. Our ultimate document checklist outlines everything you’ll typically need — plus the nuances that often trip up overseas applicants. Print it and use it to prepare your file before you apply.
Core Document Checklist
Identity / Verification
Document | Purpose / Notes |
|---|---|
Valid passport | Primary identity document — must be current and signed. |
Visa, residency permit, or immigration status documents | Shows your legal status and future intent to reside in NZ (if applicable). |
Certified or notarised copies of ID (if originals not in NZ) | Overseas documents usually need certification or apostille; non-English documents require approved translation. |
Proof of address in current country | Utility bill, bank statement, or government correspondence showing your residence. |
Income & Employment Evidence
Document | Purpose / Notes |
|---|---|
Recent payslips (3–6 months) | Demonstrates ongoing employment income. |
Employment contract / offer letter | Confirms role, salary, and continuity of employment. |
Bonus / commission records (past 1–2 years) | If you want variable pay included in your income assessment. |
Self-employed: Accountant-prepared financial statements (2–3 years) | Shows sustainability and legitimacy of business income. |
Tax returns or assessments | Validates declared income. |
Business bank statements | Supports proof of trading activity for self-employed applicants. |
Banking, Assets & Funds
Document | Purpose / Notes |
|---|---|
Personal bank statements (3–6 months) | Shows income flow, savings, and account behaviour. |
Asset statements (shares, property, pensions, investments) | Demonstrates overall financial strength. |
Deposit source documentation | Account statements or certificates proving deposit funds. |
Gifted deposit documentation | Formal gifting declaration from the donor, plus proof of donor’s funds. |
Liabilities & Debt
Document | Purpose / Notes |
|---|---|
Credit card and loan statements | Identifies existing liabilities. |
Student loan or ongoing repayment obligations | Ensures full servicing calculation. |
Property & Transaction Documents
Document | Purpose / Notes |
|---|---|
Sale & Purchase Agreement (SPA) or offer document | Confirms property details. |
Property valuation or appraisal | Used by lender to verify market value and security. |
Title or land ownership documents | Confirms legal ownership. |
Insurance or building reports | Assists bank’s risk review. |
AML / Source of Wealth Documentation
Document | Purpose / Notes |
|---|---|
Wealth evidence (historical bank or investment statements) | Shows accumulation of funds over time. |
Source of large deposits | Sale contracts, inheritance letters, or investment statements proving origin of funds. |
Additional (If Applicable)
Document | Purpose / Notes |
|---|---|
Trust deed and related trust documents | Required if buying under a trust structure. |
Guarantor / co-signer documentation | Verifies support arrangements. |
Rental appraisal or tenancy agreement | Needed for investment property income. |
Foreign credit report | Helps assess creditworthiness if you lack NZ credit history. |
Certified translations | Required for all non-English documents. |
Apostilled or notarised copies | Confirms authenticity of overseas originals. |
Final Submission & Settlement Documents
Document | Purpose / Notes |
|---|---|
Signed lender application forms | Standard application, privacy, and consent documentation. |
Authority & Instruction (A&I) forms | Authorise your lawyer and the bank to register the mortgage title. |
Conveyancing / legal instructions | Enables your NZ solicitor to complete settlement. |
Proof of foreign exchange / fund transfer | Confirms deposit or settlement funds are cleared in NZ. |
Key Tips & Caveats for Overseas Applicants
Certification & Translation: All overseas identity and financial documents must be properly certified, notarised, or apostilled. Non-English documents require professional translation with certification. NZ banks (including ANZ and ASB) will reject unverified or informal copies.
Currency & Conversion: Foreign currency balances are converted to NZD and may be discounted by lenders to allow for exchange-rate volatility.
Consistency & Continuity: Ensure your statements and income evidence show consistent, verifiable patterns — large unexplained deposits or missing months can trigger delays.
Deposits & Gifted Funds: If part of your deposit is gifted, you’ll need both a formal gifting declaration and proof of the donor’s available funds.
AML / Source-of-Funds Compliance: NZ has strict anti-money-laundering laws. Expect to trace every large inflow and provide documented evidence for property sales, inheritances, or investments.
Timing & Fund Clearance: Have your funds transferred to NZ well before settlement. Banks may require evidence that deposits are “settled” (in NZ or an approved account) before final approval.
Digital vs Certified Originals: Digital scans can be used for pre-approvals, but most lenders require certified originals before final drawdown or registration.
Trusts or Complex Ownership: If buying under a trust, prepare full trust deeds, trustee resolutions, financials, and any company structure documentation in advance.
Be Proactive: Submit your documentation in full from the start. Incomplete or uncertified records are the single biggest cause of processing delays for overseas buyers.
Key Takeaway
NZ mortgage applications for non-residents require deeper documentation and stricter verification. By assembling this checklist early — complete, certified, and ready to go — you’ll make your broker’s job easier and speed up approval significantly.
Talk to a New Zealand Mortgages adviser to review your documentation before submission and ensure it meets NZ bank and regulatory standards.
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