News & notifications

On 28 August 2017, the List of Qualifications Exempt from Assessment (Appendix 3) will be updated.

From Friday 8 September 2017 at 2:00pm, the Immigration New Zealand public service counter at Level 5, 65 Rangitikei Street will be permanently closed and there will be no dropbox at this location.

Detailed information about changes to the Skilled Migrant and Essential Skills policies for 28 August 2017.

The Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment has reviewed the Canterbury Skill Shortage List (CSSL) to ensure that the policy settings remain appropriate for the current stage of the Canterbury rebuild and economic recovery.

The duration of Talent Accreditations will be extended for applications submitted from 28 August 2017.

A selection of Expressions of Interest (EOI) under the Migrant Investment Category, Investor (Investor 2 category), took place on Thursday 10 August 2017.

Immigration New Zealand is aware of a recent increase in job offer scams, where victims are approached via job-seeking websites by scammers pretending to be New Zealand employers offering work.

A selection of Expressions of Interest (EOI) under the Migrant Investment Category, Investor (Investor 2 category), took place on Thursday 27July 2017.

From 1 September 2017, some family residence applications, which are currently lodged at the Bangkok Visa Application Centre (VAC), will be processed in Auckland, New Zealand.

The Government has made decisions on proposals announced in April to change the settings for temporary migrant workers under the Essential Skills policy.

The Skilled Migrant Category Expression of Interest selection took place at approximately 1.00pm NZ time on Wednesday 19 July, 2017.

From Friday 11 August 2017 at 2:00pm, the Immigration New Zealand public service counter at level 5, Westpac House Cnr Victoria and Alma Streets will be permanently closed and there will be no dropbox at this location.

A selection of Expressions of Interest (EOI) under the Migrant Investment Category, Investor (Investor 2 category), took place on Thursday 13 July 2017.

Following the ballot draws that occurred on 30 June 2017, all successful registration numbers for the Samoan Quota are now available.

The Skilled Migrant Category Expression of Interest selection took place at approximately 1.00pm NZ time on Wednesday 5 July, 2017.

The last date on which a selection of Expressions of Interest (EOIs) will occur from the current Skilled Migrant Category (SMC) pool is 19 July 2017.

On 10 July 2017 the service fee payable to a number of Visa Application Centres (VACs) will increase.

A selection of Expressions of Interest (EOI) under the Migrant Investment Category, Investor (Investor 2 category), took place on Thursday 29 June 2017.

Immigration New Zealand (INZ) is aware of an email and text scam aimed at Fijian citizens which has attempted to copy the recent Immigration New Zealand Pacific Access Category (PAC) ballot process.

The Skilled Migrant Category Expression of Interest selection took place at approximately 1.00pm NZ time on Wednesday 21 June, 2017.

Recent changes to the Investor 2 Category allow people with applications or invitations to apply to choose whether they want to be assessed under the current or the previous version of the policy.

Following the ballot draws that occurred on 9 June 2017, all successful registration numbers for the Pacific Access Category are now available.

A selection of Expressions of Interest (EOI) under the Migrant Investment Category, Investor (Investor 2 category), took place on Thursday 15 June 2017.

The Skilled Migrant Category Expression of Interest selection took place at approximately 1.00pm NZ time on Wednesday 7 June, 2017

There have been no expressions of interest received for today’s EOI draw.

From 1 July 2017, Skilled Migrant Category (SMC) residence applications currently processed in London will be processed in Auckland, New Zealand.

The Skilled Migrant Category Expression of Interest selection took place at approximately 1.00pm NZ time on Wednesday 24 May, 2017

A selection of Expressions of Interest (EOI) under the Migrant Investment Category, Investor (Investor 2 category), took place on Friday, 19 May 2017.

From 3 July 2017, the Immigration New Zealand public service counter at level 2, 20 Amersham Way, Manukau, will be closed and there will be no dropbox at this location.

A selection of Expressions of Interest (EOI) under the Migrant Investment Category, Investor (Investor 2 category), took place on Thursday, 11 May 2017.

The Skilled Migrant Category Expression of Interest selection took place at approximately 1.00pm NZ time on Wednesday 10 May, 2017

Immigration NZ is aware of an internet scam inviting doctors to apply under the Skilled Migrant category for roles at St Vincent Ranui Hospital, Wellington - a hospital which does not exist.

A selection of Expressions of Interest (EOI) under the Migrant Investment Category, Investor (Investor 2 category), took place on Thursday, 27 April 2017.

The Skilled Migrant Category Expression of Interest selection took place at approximately 1.00pm NZ time on Wednesday 26 April, 2017

Visa Application Centres (VACs) service fee increase.

The New Zealand Government has announced a new policy to provide a one-off pathway to residence for around 1,600 migrant workers and their families who have been living in the South island for more than five years.

The New Zealand Government has announced a package of changes designed to better manage immigration and improve the labour market contribution of temporary and permanent migration.

The New Zealand Government has announced it is consulting on proposed changes to temporary migration settings to manage the number and settlement expectations of new migrants coming to New Zealand on Essential Skills work visas. The proposals are also designed to stop the reoccurrence of pools of long-term temporary migrants with no pathway to residence.

A selection of Expressions of Interest (EOI) under the Migrant Investment Category, Investor (Investor 2 category), took place on Thursday, 13 April 2017.

The Skilled Migrant Category Expression of Interest selection took place at approximately 1.00pm NZ time on Wednesday 12 April, 2017

From April 2017, all onshore Family Residence and Skilled Migration Category applications will be processed in Auckland as part of Immigration New Zealand's centralisation of the New Zealand Residence Programme.

The Skilled Migrant Category Expression of Interest selection took place at approximately 1.00pm NZ time on Wednesday 29 March, 2017

From 1 April, employers included on a list of non-compliant employers will be unable to support visa applications.

From 8 May 2017, Immigration New Zealand is able to grant five-year multiple entry visas to nationals of the People’s Republic of China travelling to New Zealand for tourism and business.

A selection of Expressions of Interest (EOI) under the Migrant Investment Category, Investor (Investor 2 category), took place on Thursday, 30 March 2017.

A selection of Expressions of Interest (EOI) under the Migrant Investment Category, Investor (Investor 2 category), took place on Thursday, 16 March 2017.

The Skilled Migrant Category Expression of Interest selection took place at approximately 1.00pm NZ time on Wednesday 15 March, 2017

A selection of Expressions of Interest (EOI) under the Migrant Investment Category, Investor (Investor 2 category), took place on Thursday, 2 MArch 2017.

The Minister of Immigration has extended the Pathway Student Visa Pilot for a further 12 months.

The Skilled Migrant Category Expression of Interest selection took place at approximately 1.00pm NZ time on Wednesday 1 March, 2017

From 26 February 2017, INZ will enable online payment by UnionPay debit and credit cards for New Zealand online visa applications.

Immigration New Zealand (INZ) is pleased to announce a new Working Holiday Visa for citizens of Luxembourg.

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

A selection of Expressions of Interest (EOI) under the Migrant Investment Category, Investor (Investor 2 category), took place on Thursday, 16 February 2017.

The Skilled Migrant Category Expression of Interest selection took place at approximately 1.00pm NZ time on Wednesday 15 February, 2017

The Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment has completed its annual review of two of the Essential Skills in Demand Lists – the Long Term Skill Shortage List and the Immediate Skill Shortage List. The purpose of the review is to make sure the lists reflect the changing needs of the New Zealand labour market.

A selection of Expressions of Interest (EOI) under the Migrant Investment Category, Investor (Investor 2 category), took place on Thursday, 2 February 2017.

The Visa Application Centre (VAC) in Hamburg will be closing on 10 February 2017

The Skilled Migrant Category Expression of Interest selection took place at approximately 1.00pm NZ time on Wednesday 1 February, 2017

The Skilled Migrant Category Expression of Interest selection took place at approximately 1.00pm NZ time on Wednesday 18 January, 2017

A selection of Expressions of Interest (EOI) under the Migrant Investment Category, Investor (Investor 2 category), took place on Thursday, 22 December 2016.

A selection of Expressions of Interest (EOI) under the Migrant Investment Category, Investor (Investor 2 category), took place on Thursday, 19 January 2017.

The Skilled Migrant Category Expression of Interest selection took place at approximately 1.00pm NZ time on Wednesday 21 December, 2016.

During the upcoming holiday period, the Expression of Interest selections will be delayed until later in January 2017.

The Minister of Immigration has announced changes to the Investor Categories to take effect from May 2017.

A selection of Expressions of Interest (EOI) under the Migrant Investment Category, Investor (Investor 2 category), took place on Thursday, 8 December 2016.

The Skilled Migrant Category Expression of Interest selection took place at approximately 1.00pm NZ time on Wednesday 7 December, 2016.

From Monday, 5 December 2016 the New Zealand Visa Application Centre (VAC) in Chengdu will operate from a new location.

A selection of Expressions of Interest (EOI) under the Migrant Investment Category, Investor (Investor 2 category), took place on Thursday, 24 November 2016.

The Skilled Migrant Category Expression of Interest selection took place at approximately 1.00pm NZ time on Wednesday 23 November, 2016.

Immigration New Zealand (INZ) is pleased to announce a new Working Holiday Visa for citizens of the Republic of Lithuania.

Fees for paper applications for visitor visas and for group visitor visas will increase on 21 November 2016.

A selection of Expressions of Interest (EOI) under the Migrant Investment Category, Investor (Investor 2 category), took place on Thursday, 10 November 2016.

The Skilled Migrant Category Expression of Interest selection took place at approximately 1.00pm NZ time on Wednesday 9 November, 2016.

The Skilled Migrant Category Expression of Interest selection took place at approximately 1.00pm NZ time on Wednesday 26 October, 2016.

The Skilled Migrant Category Expression of Interest selection took place at approximately 1.00pm NZ time on Wednesday 12 October, 2016.

A selection of Expressions of Interest (EOI) under the Migrant Investment Category, Investor (Investor 2 category), took place on Wednesday, 12 October 2016.

A selection of Expressions of Interest (EOI) under the Migrant Investment Category, Investor (Investor 2 category), took place on Wednesday, 26 October 2016.

The Government has announced changes to the New Zealand Residence Programme (NZRP) for the next two years.

All South African visitors to New Zealand will require visitor visas from the 21 November this year.

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.

All Family Residence applications that would have been received at the London Visa Application Centre (VAC) and processed at the Immigration New Zealand (INZ) London Area Office will be processed in Auckland, New Zealand.

The Skilled Migrant Category Expression of Interest selection took place at approximately 1.00pm NZ time on Wednesday 28 September, 2016.

The Skilled Migrant Category Expression of Interest selection took place at approximately 1.00pm NZ time on Wednesday 14 September, 2016.

A selection of Expressions of Interest (EOI) under the Migrant Investment Category, Investor (Investor 2 category), took place on Wednesday, 14 September 2016.

A selection of Expressions of Interest (EOI) under the Migrant Investment Category, Investor (Investor 2 category), took place on Wednesday, 28 September 2016.

From Monday 12 September an appointment will be needed to submit visa applications, and passports for online applications, at the Pretoria VAC.

The Skilled Migrant Category Expression of Interest selection took place at approximately 1.00pm NZ time on Wednesday August 31, 2016.

A selection of Expressions of Interest (EOI) under the Migrant Investment Category, Investor (Investor 2 category), took place on Wednesday, 31 August 2016.

Immigration New Zealand (INZ) is pleased to announce a new partnership with Singapore Airlines.

Immigration New Zealand (INZ) is pleased to announce a new partnership with Philippine Airlines to provide high-value visitors from this market a further incentive to choose New Zealand as a holiday destination.

The Skilled Migrant Category Expression of Interest selection took place at approximately 1.00pm NZ time on Wednesday August 17, 2016.

From Monday 29 August 2016 the New Zealand Visa Application Centre (VAC) in Pretoria will operate from a new location.

A selection of Expressions of Interest (EOI) under the Migrant Investment Category, Investor (Investor 2 category), took place on Wednesday, 17 August 2016.

The Skilled Migrant Category Expression of Interest selection took place at approximately 1.00pm NZ time on Wednesday August 3, 2016.

A selection of Expressions of Interest (EOI) under the Migrant Investment Category, Investor (Investor 2 category), took place on Wednesday, 3 August 2016.

From 1 August 2016 the foreign currency visa application fees charged by Immigration New Zealand will change.

A selection of Expressions of Interest (EOI) under the Migrant Investment Category, Investor (Investor 2 category), took place on Wednesday, 20 July 2016.

A selection of Expressions of Interest (EOI) under the Migrant Investment Category, Investor (Investor 2 category), took place on Wednesday, 6 July 2016.

The Skilled Migrant Category Expression of Interest selection took place at approximately 1.00pm NZ time on Wednesday July 20, 2016.

The Skilled Migrant Category Expression of Interest selection took place at approximately 1.00pm NZ time on Wednesday July 6, 2016.

INZ is pleased to announce a new tourism industry partnership with the Bank of China Limited

The Skilled Migrant Category Expression of Interest selection took place at approximately 1.00pm NZ time on Wednesday June 22, 2016.

A selection of Expressions of Interest (EOI) under the Migrant Investment Category, Investor (Investor 2 category), took place on Wednesday, 22 June 2016.

Online applications for many visa types will be unavailable for a few days from June 11 to allow for the deployment of IDme - Immigration New Zealand’s new identity management system.

The Skilled Migrant Category Expression of Interest selection took place at approximately 1.00pm NZ time on Wednesday June 8, 2016.

VisaView will be unavailable from 4.00am to 5.00am Sunday 5 June (NZ time).

From 1 July 2016, all residence applications that would have been processed at INZ Shanghai Area Office will be processed in Auckland, New Zealand.

The Skilled Migrant Category Expression of Interest selection took place at approximately 1.00pm NZ time on Wednesday May 25, 2016.

We selected expressions of interest for Investor 2 Resident Visas on Wednesday, 25 May 2016.

Immigration New Zealand’s Singapore office will close on 3 June 2016.

Every 3 months, we hold a draw of Parent Category expressions of interest. The results of recent draws are available here.

Every 3 months, we hold a draw of Parent Category expressions of interest. The results of recent draws are available here.

We will be emailing a survey invitation to those who have recently applied for a visa on behalf of others. The May 2016 INZ Stakeholder and Adviser Survey (among immigration advisers and lawyers) requests feedback on your recent service experience.

A selection of Expressions of Interest (EOI) under the Migrant Investment Category, Investor (Investor 2 category), took place on Thursday, 09 June 2016.

A selection of Expressions of Interest (EOI) under the Migrant Investment Category, Investor (Investor 2 category), took place on Wednesday, 11 May 2016.

The Skilled Migrant Category Expression of Interest (EOI) selection took place at approximately 1.00pm NZ time on Wednesday 11 May 2016.

The Skilled Migrant Category Expression of Interest selection took place at approximately 1.00pm NZ time on Wednesday March 30, 2016.

A selection of Expressions of Interest (EOI) under the Migrant Investment Category, Investor (Investor 2 category), took place on Wednesday, 30 March 2016.

From 1 May 2016, the VAC in Moscow, Russia will be operated by VFS Global and will operate from a new location. From 30 April 2016, the VAC in Vladivostok will close.

The Skilled Migrant Category Expression of Interest (EOI) selection took place at approximately 1.00pm NZ time on Wednesday 27 April, 2016.

On 30 April 2016, the existing Visa Information and Application Centres (VIAs) in Manila and Cebu, which are operated by PIASI, will cease the provision of services on behalf of Immigration New Zealand (INZ).

From 15 April 2016, customers who previously submitted their visa applications to the VAC in Los Angeles should now send their applications directly to the VAC in Washington DC or apply via Immigration Online.

From 1 May 2016, the Visa Application Centre (VAC) in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam will be operated by VFS Global and will operate from a new location.

The Government has announced it is consulting on proposed changes to temporary migration settings to manage the number and settlement expectations of new migrants coming to New Zealand on Essential Skills work visas. The proposals are also designed to stop the reoccurrence of pools of long-term temporary migrants with no pathway to residence.

The draft International Education Strategy for New Zealand to 2025 was released for consultation on 30 June by the Minister of Tertiary Education Paul Goldsmith.

Work, Student and Visitor Online applications intermittently impacted