Jul 16, 2020

If you were in New Zealand on 10 July and you hold an employer-assisted work visa, due to expire before 31st Dec 2020... read more

Jul 06, 2020

The Government has made short term changes to Temporary work visas  read more

Jun 01, 2020

After a wait of more than three years for a government decision on family migration, grandparents had a glimmer of hope - before the Covid-19 coronavirus snuffed it out again...More

May 25, 2020

The border is currently closed to all but NZ citizens and residents, but travellers coming here for the first time on their residents visa will also be banned. more

May 13, 2020

This includes an update for all, which includes, Onshore- offshore. Students, Temp Visa holders and Residency applications...Read more

Apr 03, 2020

This is the site for NZ journey through these tumultuous times

Apr 02, 2020

Holders of a work, student, visitor, limited or interim visa with an expiry date of 2 April to 9 July 2020 inclusive who were in New Zealand on 2 April 2020 will have their visas automatically extended to 25 September 2020. Confirmation of extensions will be emailed to all visa holders.read more

Apr 01, 2020

The New Zealand Government’s epidemic management notice relating to immigration matters is in effect from Thursday 2 April 2020.

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Visa Extension

Holders of a work, student, visitor, limited or interim visa with an expiry date of 2 April to 9 July 2020 inclusive who were in New Zealand on 2 April 2020 will have their visas automatically extended to 25 September 2020. Confirmation of extensions will be emailed to all visa holders.

If your visa has been extended you should have received a confirmation email from Immigration New Zealand. We used the most recent email address that you provided to us.

We suggest you confirm your visa expiry date by checking the Visa Verification Service on our website.

Mar 17, 2020

If you are a migrant worker, find out about how temporary work visas are changing and when the changes will happen.....Read More

Feb 09, 2020

As part of its response to managing the COVID-19 (also known as the novel coronavirus) outbreak the New Zealand Government has extended the travel restrictions for some foreign travellers to Monday 24 February 2020.

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​The restrictions apply to any foreigners who have been present in, or transited through, mainland China 14 days prior to them departing for New Zealand. This decision will be reviewed every 48 hours and the Government will decide on or before 24 February whether the travel restrictions need to remain in place.

Feb 03, 2020

The parents residency category re-opens after a long break. There are new norms and  criteria which  will now be applicable, with only a 1000 places available each year. READ more on our Home page

Dec 18, 2019

On 24 February 2020 the wage or salary thresholds for Skilled Migrant Resident Visas and Essential Skills Work Visas will increase.The new thresholds are based on the New Zealand median salary and wage rate of NZD $25.50 per hour (up 2% from last year) which is equivalent to NZD $53,040 per year for a 40-hour per week job. More

Nov 13, 2019

The Minister of Immigration has announced a change that will allow people who had a culturally arranged marriage outside of New Zealand to apply for this visitor visa. READ More

Nov 03, 2019

History was made for migrant workers in the aged care sector this week. 

For the first time, people who move to New Zealand to look after the country’s elderly will have a realistic chance of becoming permanent residents. Read More

Oct 06, 2019

The Government is reopening the Parent Category visa programme but capping numbers and increasing costs. The visa, which enabled parents to join their adult children in New Zealand if they were a resident or citizen, was temporarily closed in 2016 by former Immigration Minister Michael Woodhouse in order to clear a backlog of applications....Read More

Sep 22, 2019

Some visitors and transit passengers can travel to New Zealand without a visa if they get an NZeTA (New Zealand Electronic Travel Authority) before they travel. read more

Aug 13, 2019

Visa holders in New Zealand are being contacted by a person pretending to be from Immigration New Zealand. They are demanding money to be sent to them,

Jun 15, 2019

Families waiting for a government decision on whether overseas parents can join them say they feel like collateral damage as they wait for coalition parties to come to an agreement on immigration... Read More

May 15, 2019

From 13 May, we are raising the minimum income for some visa holders to reflect changes to New Zealand benefit rates. Read more

May 07, 2019

The Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE) has completed its regular review of the Essential Skills in Demand (ESID) lists, and changes to the lists will take effect on 27 May 2019. read more

Apr 22, 2019

Permanent residence for people affected by the Christchurch terrorist attacks..Read More

Mar 26, 2019

As you may be aware Immigration New Zealand has been prioritising the processing of visa applications for families of those affected by the Christchurch terrorist attack to come to New Zealand at this difficult time.More

Feb 09, 2019

A married Bangladeshi couple who are New Zealand citizens, will appear before the Auckland District Court next Monday, 11 February 2019 on charges of human trafficking, exploitation and other immigration related charges. more

Dec 26, 2018

On 18 December 2018, the Government announced it is consulting on proposed changes to employer-assisted temporary work visa settings to ensure that work visas issued reflect genuine regional skill shortages. The consultation will close on 18 March 2019. More

Dec 16, 2018

On 17 December 2018, Immigration New Zealand (INZ) will establish the Construction and Infrastructure Skill Shortage List (CISSL) to support the government’s construction and infrastructure commitments. read more

Dec 04, 2018

Immigration New Zealand (INZ) is currently receiving high numbers of visa applications. This is likely to continue until March 2019. READ MORE

Nov 10, 2018

The Essential Skills work visa and Skilled Migrant Category resident visa remuneration thresholds have been updated as part of our annual review. The new thresholds are based on the New Zealand median salary...More

Nov 01, 2018

Students from some countries use the FTS to transfer the money they must have to support themselves when they study in New Zealand. From 1 October 2018 the scheme will be easier to use. Read More

Sep 30, 2018

Immigration fees and levies are reviewed regularly to ensure they accurately reflect the cost incurred in providing immigration services. read more

Aug 07, 2018

Following a public consultation, Government has come up with changes to immigration settings that impact post-study work rights for international students

Jul 10, 2018

Zip through stunning New Zealand in this video shot from above. Travel through the wonderful landscapes of Aotearoa, from sea to sky, city to mountains. Get a glimpse of what awaits you on an epic holiday in New Zealand. Watch it NOW

Jun 28, 2018

From 4 July 2018 visa labels will no longer be issued by Immigration New Zealand (INZ). All applicants of approved visas will receive an email with a letter of approval, which is an eVisa.

Jun 27, 2018

Immigration New Zealand adjusts minimum income requirements every year to ensure visa holders have enough income to support themselves and their family while in New Zealand.hat's this item about? What makes it interesting? Write a catchy description to grab your audience's attention...

Jun 14, 2018

The cost of visas will be soon going up for most Visa applicants, ranging from a 10 to almost 43% Increase...

Jun 14, 2018

Opportunistic individuals ranging from Nigerian drug dealers to Indian students are gaming an under-resourced immigration system to obtain New Zealand visas, according to intelligence reports. Read more...

Jun 04, 2018

International students coming here for courses of less than two years will not have post-study rights and employer sponsorship could go under proposed immigration policy changes.

Jun 04, 2018

Immigration Minister Ian Lees-Galloway talks about proposed changes to Student work visas. / Greg Bowker

Apr 17, 2018

Minister tells Immigration to suspend migrant risk factor.... read

Families in India are marrying their drug-addicted sons to educated young women and paying for the bride to study in countries like New Zealand as a way to get residency for the men.....

Jan 17, 2018

Jan 2018 The greatest country in the world as voted by readers in the Telegraph.. read more

Dec 19 2017 Changes are afoot in the threshold for SMC and Essential Skill visa from the 15th Jan 2018..Read more

Nov 2017..The number of skilled immigrants applying has almost halved in the last 6 months ..read more

Oct 2017, Insurance provider NIB, is looking at providing health insurance that could cover.. read more

October 2017  Seventy businesses have been banned from hiring migrants, Law changes bites employers flouting the rules..Read More

Sept 2017, Immigration is proposing Visa processing to be done in fewer strategic locations and to specialise visa processing...Read more

June 12th,2017.  Labour unveils a plan to stop foreign students backdoor immigration rort...read more

10 May 2017Many skilled workers to lose pathway to residency, impending changes may affect those skilled workers who intend to make NZ their homes... read more

INZ recently ran a campaign in South Africa which was very successful, allowing them to raise awareness among the general public of where to go for professional immigration advice if they’re looking to come to New Zealand. The campaign, which finished on 28 April, also reminded travel agents that they cannot provide New Zealand immigration advice without a licence.

This reached over 400,000 people, with targeted online, print media, and social media advertising. The social media campaign alone drove over 5,000 people to the IAA website in three weeks.

Always look for a Licensed Immigration agent...

Salient features of proposed changes from the 14th August 2017.
Skilled Migrant category

1.Two income thresholds
2. Higher points for those aged 30-39
3. Higher points for skilled work experience
4.Higher points for some post graduate qualifications
5. Points will be same for a person holding a "job offer" or currently working in NZ
6.No points for :
a) Close Family in NZ
b)Qualifications in area of absolute skill shortage

and other changes in this space.

Apr 18, 2017

Immigration Minister Michael Woodhouse has announced a number of changes to New Zealand's immigration system, aimed at tackling both the number and quality of immigrants coming here for work.

Mar 31, 2017

From 1 April 2017, employers that have incurred a penalty for a breach of employment standards will face a set stand-down period preventing them from recruiting migrant labour for six months, one year, 18 months or two years, depending on the severity of the breach.

Mar 14, 2017

The Government has recently toughened its English language requirements for residency, but thousands of skilled immigrants are not making the grade, say critics. 

Feb 22, 2017

The Minister of Immigration has announced new measures to stop employers who breach immigration and employment law from recruiting migrant workers....

The Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment has completed its annual review of two of the Essential Skills in Demand (ESID) Lists – the Long Term Skill Shortage List (LTSSL) and the Immediate Skill Shortage List (ISSL). The Ministry regularly reviews the ESID lists to ensure that they meet the changing needs of the labour market, and to ensure opportunities for New Zealanders first. 

Jan 14, 2017

 All applicants who apply online will be granted a label-less visa (eVisa) if their application is approved. This includes nationals from both visa waiver and visa required countries. ....

Dec 31, 2016

A Filipino national and her company have been sentenced on nine charges relating to the exploitation of five migrant workers at their Japanese sushi restaurants in Auckland. More

Nov 19, 2016

Immigration New Zealand has started a second review of the skilled migrant category, amid fears the points system does not prioritise the "highest value" workers.

Oct 08, 2016

A very interesting video, on New Zealand immigration story, trends and where we are. A great video and story to watch

Oct 07, 2016

Currently, people from South Africa do not need to apply for a visitor visa before travelling to New Zealand, with genuine visitors being granted a visitor visa on arrival. As a result of the change all visitors from South Africa will need to obtain a visa before travelling to New Zealand.

Oct 02, 2016

From the 21 November this year nationals of Mauritius and the Seychelles will no longer need a visitor visa to travel to New Zealand for up to three months at a time...

Aug 20, 2016

Immigration New Zealand (INZ) has produced a new guide “Keeping it Clear” to help organisations present their information to those new to New Zealand in such a way that it is easily understood.

Jun 14, 2016

A Chinese woman has been sentenced to 26 months’ imprisonment for immigration fraud. Yunjuan Li was sentenced at the Christchurch District Court after pleading guilty to six charges of supplying false or misleading information to an immigration office....

May 31, 2016

INZ is pleased to announce new partnerships with two major Chinese Airlines – Air China and China Eastern Airlines. This makes it easier for streamlined visa processesing....

Apr 10, 2016

The ESID Lists aim to facilitate the entry of appropriately skilled migrants to fill skill shortages and to reduce costs and time delays for employers seeking staff.  However, this objective must be balanced by the need to ensure that there are no suitably skilled or more

Apr 10, 2016

Following a successful trial, all low-skilled Essential Skills work visa applications lodged after 11 April 2016 must include a Skills Match Report completed by Work and Income. The Skills Match Report improves certainty for employers and visa applicants and speeds up the visa application process when no New Zealanders are available. Read more

Mar 31, 2016

Immigration New Zealand has been notified of a new wave of scam phone calls from individuals claiming to be Immigration staff.

read more

Jan 27, 2016

English language requirements for international students under Rule 18 of the NZQF Programme Approval and Accreditation Rules 2013.

Thursday.Immigration New Zealand has published the student visa approval rates for 2015...more

Jan 13, 2016

Three new or amended visa policies offer better access to New Zealand for citizens of the Republic of Korea.  The policies were agreed to alongside the New Zealand – Korea free trade agreement.  ..more

Jan 07, 2016

The Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment has completed its annual review of two of the Essential Skills in Demand (ESID) Lists – the Long Term Skill Shortage List (LTSSL) and the Immediate Skill Shortage List (ISSL). The Ministry regularly reviews the ESID lists to ensure that they meet the changing needs of the labour market, and to ensure opportunities for New Zealanders first... more

Oct 20, 2015

A dual Filipino / New Zealand national has been arrested and charged with offences relating to a suspected fraud involving multiple work visa applications submitted by Filipinos to work in the New Zealand dairy industry.

Oct 15, 2015

Two people involved in the management of the Auckland Indian restaurant chain Masala have been sentenced at the Auckland District Court this morning on charges related to the exploitation of migrant workers.

Sep 29, 2015

Earlier in the year the New Zealand Qualifications Authority made changes to the English language requirements for international students. These changes will now come into effect from 24 October 2015.

Aug 18, 2015

A selection of Expressions of Interest (EOI) under the Migrant Investment Category, Investor (Investor 2 category), took place on Wednesday 19 August 2015.

Jun 28, 2015

Certified copies no longer required for temporary entry visa applications... Read More

Jul 29, 2015

30 July 2015

Changes to support regional development.  A range of changes have been announced...

READ MORE..

Apr 22, 2015

New Zealand passports have made the top 20 most powerful passports in the world list, sneaking in at number 20....more

Apr 20, 2015

Results of the consultation were released by a news article, see: Changes to Rule 18: English language requirements for international students. ...more

Mar 16, 2015

Citizens of Samoa, Tonga, Kiribati, Tuvalu and Fiji are encouraged to register for this year’s ballot under the Samoan Quota and Pacific Access Category between 1 and 30 April 2015... more

Feb 15, 2015

Immigration New Zealand (INZ) has selected clinics from all over the country to be part of an onshore panel physician network that will complete immigration medical examinations for onshore New Zealand visa applicants. ..More