On Friday 17 November 2023, an Auckland individual was arrested by New Zealand Police as a result of a 4-month long investigation conducted by Immigration’s investigations unit. A search warrant was executed at an address linked to possible migrant exploitation involving 3 migrants. The 53-year-old business owner linked to the case was arrested at the address and subsequently charged with one count of Exploitation under section 351 of the Immigration Act 2009, which carries a maximum penalty of 7 years imprisonment and/or a $100,000 fine. More charges are likely. Following the arrest, Stephani ..read more

Immigration New Zealand (INZ) is the operational delivery function of an integrated immigration system. As part of the system we: grant visas to people New Zealand needs to work, visit, study, or settle here make sure that people crossing the border and staying in New Zealand are entitled to do so help migrants and refugees make New Zealand their home play our part in the global immigration system, together with our border partners, to keep Aotearoa New Zealand safe. The integrated immigration system includes teams in branches across the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE ..read more

Immigration New Zealand is aware of recent targeted phone scams coming from various New Zealand mobile numbers. One example of these scams states the call is coming from ‘The Immigration Bureau’ saying there is a ‘serious problem with your visa’. The call then prompts recipients to press different numbers for English or Chinese services. Please be aware that these are not genuine calls from Immigration New Zealand. If you or someone you know receives this call or a similar one, report it to CERT NZ and do not engage further. Reporting form for businesses and individuals — CERT NZ If you are a ..read more

The visa is a 2-stage process. People first submit an Expression of Interest (EOI). If the EOI is selected and it meets the requirements, Immigration New Zealand (INZ) will issue an Invitation To Apply (ITA). Only people who have received an ITA are able to make a residence application and this application must be made within 4 months of the ITA being issued. INZ can approve a maximum of 2000 visas per year to people who submitted EOIs before the restart of selections was announced on 10 October 2022. These EOIs are in a queue and selected in date order, with the oldest selected first. A maxim ..read more

​​​​​From 25 November 2023* (subject to the approval of regulation changes), the Australian Government will be making changes to the Temporary Skill Shortage (TSS) (subclass 482) and Temporary Residence Transition (TRT) stream of the Employer Nomination Scheme (ENS) (subclass 186) visas to provide a simpler and clearer pathway to permanent residence for TSS visa holders. The changes will provide employers and holders of TSS visas with more certainty and ensure Australia attracts and retains the skilled workers it needs.​ Temporary Skill Shortage (subclass 482) From 25 November 2023* the Govern ..read more

The Addendum to the 11th edition of The Administration of the Immigration and Citizenship Programs paper is now available. The addendum provides an explanation of the composition and management of Australia’s immigration program in a changing international environment. The following highlights provide an overview of the information included in the addendum, which is available in full at ​​​Addendum to the 11th edition of the Administration of the Immigration and Citizenship Programs. Immigration Programs In August 2023 the Australian Government announced the closure of the Pandemic Event ..read more

​​​​​The Australian Government’s response to the Rapid Review into the Exploitation of Australia’s Visa System (the Nixon Review) was released today, providing measures to address exploitation of Australia’s migration system. The Government recognises the valuable contribution that migrants bring to Australia and is committed to addressing abuse of the migration system and ensuring​ visa holders and vulnerable community members are protected from exploitation. The Government has introduced a range of measures in response to the Nixon Review recommendations, which ..read more

The Approved Destination Status (ADS) scheme has started. The ADS scheme is a travel visa arrangement between the Australian and Chinese governments. The ADS scheme allows Chinese tourists to travel to Australia as part of an approved tour group. The first ADS tourists arrived in Australia in August 1999. On 10 August 2023,​ the Chinese Government announced that Australia has been included on the list of countries for China’s ADS scheme. From 25 September 2023, Visitor (subclass 600) (ADS stream) visa applications can be lodged. You must contact a registered ADS scheme travel agent to apply fo ..read more

Aotearoa New Zealand has agreements with 45 countries, including Vietnam, that allow young people aged between 18 and 30 (or up to 35 in some cases) the opportunity to travel around New Zealand and work temporarily while they are here. The scheme will reopen to Vietnam nationals capped at 100 places. In February, it was announced that Vietnam would receive a cap increase to 200 this year, however, this increase will now come into effect later than expected to enable time for the necessary processes between both our countries to be completed. New Zealand officials are working to finalise detail ..read more

From 29 October 2023, accredited employers cannot use 90-day trial periods in employment agreements when hiring people on an Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV). This includes Job Checks submitted before 29 October 2023 but assessed on and after this date. For on-going Job Check application If an employer has a Job Check application underway and the Immigration have not yet made a decision about it, employers need to: Review the Job Check application and make sure the employment agreement does not include a trial period. If the employment agreement includes a trial period, please upload an u ..read more