Estimates of people who have overstayed their visa
Find information about the estimated number of people who have overstayed their visa in New Zealand, including data by nationality, visa type and age group.
There is an express obligation under the Immigration Act 2009 for all unlawful people to leave New Zealand. The legal obligation to leave New Zealand before a temporary visa expires is clearly communicated on visas.
Estimated number of people who overstayed their visa
Immigration New Zealand’s (INZ) latest estimate shows that, as at 1 July 2026, there were approximately 19,153 people in New Zealand who had overstayed their visa.
In 2025, INZ introduced updated methodology to provide a more accurate estimate of the number of people who have overstayed their visa. As part of INZ's process to update the estimate annually, refinements have been made to improve the accuracy, consistency and completeness of the estimate. This includes removing Exemption NZeTA holders and Air Crew NZeTA holders because these cohorts align with visa categories already excluded under the methodology.
Because of these refinements, the 2026 estimate represents a decrease of around 8.7 percent from last year’s estimate of 20,979 people.
These refinements do not represent a change to the underlying approach used to produce the estimate. Rather, they apply existing exclusion criteria more consistently and reduce the likelihood of individuals being incorrectly included in the estimate.
The reduction in the estimated population of people who have overstayed their visa since 2025 is partly due to these refinements, which have improved the accuracy of the estimate.
2026 estimates
Estimated top 10 nationalities of those who have overstayed their visa
| Rank | Nationality | Estimate |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | China | 2,694 |
| 2 | Tonga | 2,541 |
| 3 | United States of America | 1,981 |
| 4 | India | 1,522 |
| 5 | Samoa | 1,462 |
| 6 | Great Britain | 1,117 |
| 7 | Philippines | 898 |
| 8 | Malaysia | 574 |
| 9 | Vietnam | 538 |
| 10 | Fiji | 512 |
| 11 | Other | 5,314 |
| Total | - | 19,153* |
*The estimate is based on approximately 30 years of immigration and border movement data, reflecting the period since INZ introduced electronic records.
People who arrived in New Zealand on a temporary visa from 1 July 2023 to 30 June 2026 and overstayed their visa
| Nationality | Total temporary visa arrivals 1 July 2023 to 30 June 2026 | Individuals who arrived between 1 July 2023 and 30 June 2026 and were recorded as having overstayed their visas as of 1 July 2026 | Percentage* |
|---|---|---|---|
| United States of America | 967,633 | 925 | 0.10% |
| Tonga | 31,054 | 666 | 2.14% |
| China | 761,140 | 653 | 0.09% |
| Great Britain | 456,710 | 580 | 0.13% |
| India | 303,457 | 518 | 0.17% |
| Samoa | 29,910 | 375 | 1.25% |
| Fiji | 66,342 | 222 | 0.33% |
| Philippines | 125,118 | 179 | 0.14% |
| Malaysia | 100,196 | 179 | 0.18% |
| Vietnam | 27,336 | 167 | 0.61% |
| Other | 2,177,182 | 2,095 | 0.10% |
| Total | 5,046,078 | 6,559 | 0.13% |
The top ten nationalities of people who have overstayed their visas as at 1 July 2026 account for 72.3% of the total estimate.
A snapshot of the percentage of overstaying compared to temporary visa arrivals for the period 1 July 2023 to 30 June 2026, shows that overall, the percentage of overstaying is less than 0.13% of those who arrived on temporary visas for that same three-year period.
Main visa categories and subcategories held at the most recent arrival by people identified as overstaying their visa
| Visa held at most recent arrival | Estimate |
|---|---|
| Visitor | 14,211 |
| General Visitor Visa | 5,045 |
| Visa Waiver | 7,999 |
| Business | 466 |
| Limited Purpose | 267 |
| Other Visitor | 434 |
| Work | 2,890 |
| Skilled Work | 1,148 |
| Working Holiday | 360 |
| Recognised Seasonal Employer | 125 |
| Other Work | 1,257 |
| Student | 1,240 |
| Fee Paying Student | 761 |
| Dependent Student | 256 |
| Other Student | 223 |
| Relationship | 755 |
| Visitor Visa | 405 |
| Work Visa | 348 |
| Resident Visa (Parent) | 2 |
| Other | 57 |
| Total | 19,153 |
Note
This reflects the visa held at the person's most recent arrival in New Zealand and does not necessarily represent the most recent visa they subsequently held before becoming unlawful.
People who have overstayed their visa, by age
| Age group | Estimate |
|---|---|
| 0 to 19 years | 1,869 |
| 20 to 64 years | 14,561 |
| 65 to 99 years | 2,723 |
| Total | 19,153 |
Top ten nationalities deported for the 2025/2026 financial year
| Top 10 | Nationality | People deported |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | India | 270 |
| 2 | China | 195 |
| 3 | Vietnam | 173 |
| 4 | Samoa | 147 |
| 5 | Tonga | 117 |
| 6 | Fiji | 89 |
| 7 | Philippines | 69 |
| 8 | Great Britain | 26 |
| 9 | Malaysia | 26 |
| 10 | United States of America | 24 |
| 11 | Other | 257 |
| Total | - | 1,393 |
Definitions
Deportation: A person who is unlawfully in New Zealand who has been served a deportation order and departs New Zealand, or a temporary visa holder who was made liable for deportation and departs New Zealand after the date when they may be served with a deportation order.
Self-deportation: A person who is unlawfully in New Zealand who departs New Zealand of their own volition and at no cost to the Ministry after the date when the person may be served with a deportation order, but they have not been served with such an order.
Voluntary departure: A person who is unlawfully in New Zealand or is a temporary visa holder who was made liable for deportation and departs of their own volition and at no cost to the Ministry prior to the date when the person may be served with a deportation order.
Find out more about deportation on our website.
Methodology
The estimate uses a statistical methodology that combines immigration and border movement data to estimate the number of people who have overstayed their visa.
The 2026 estimate includes refinements identified through INZ's annual methodology review process to improve the accuracy, consistency and completeness of the estimate. These refinements relate to Exemption NZeTA holders and Air Crew NZeTA holders. Analysis found these cohorts share characteristics with groups that are already excluded from the estimate or are affected by known border movement data issues.
The methodology already excludes certain cohorts that are highly unlikely to have overstayed their visa or whose travel arrangements may not always be fully reflected in standard border movement data, including Military, Diplomatic, Consular, Official and Antarctic-related visa holders. The 2026 review identified equivalent cohorts holding an Exemption NZeTA and confirmed they should also be excluded from the estimate, ensuring existing exclusion criteria are applied consistently across visa and NZeTA holders.
The methodology also continues to exclude Air Crew visa and NZeTA holders unless they have an active or expired warning recorded in AMS, recognising that airline crew movements can be disproportionately affected by known border movement recording issues.
These refinements build on the methodology introduced in 2025 and do not change the underlying approach used to produce the estimate. They apply existing exclusion criteria more consistently and reduce the likelihood of individuals being incorrectly included in the estimate. Part of the reduction in the estimated population of people who have overstayed their visa since 2025 reflects these refinements, which have improved the accuracy of the estimate.
Given the scale and complexity of New Zealand's immigration and border systems, the figure is appropriately described as an estimate rather than an exact count.
INZ's approach to people who overstay their visa
INZ takes its role as regulator seriously and works to ensure visa holders understand their obligations.
INZ actively engages with visa holders through a range of channels, including text messages, phone calls, emails and letters, to remind them of their visa conditions and obligations. Information is also provided to help migrants understand their rights and responsibilities while in New Zealand.
INZ take an early intervention approach and encourage people who become unlawful to engage with us as early as possible.
If someone does not qualify for another visa, they are expected to leave New Zealand. INZ encourages anyone who is unlawfully in New Zealand to contact INZ so they can understand the options available to them.
Immigration Compliance staff continue to prioritise activity based on established risk criteria, with the highest priority remaining individuals involved in criminal activity and those who pose risks to public safety or national security.
When Immigration Compliance staff locate someone who has overstayed their visa, all available options are considered, including any alternative visa pathways that may be available. Where appropriate, individuals are encouraged to leave New Zealand voluntarily if they do not qualify for a further visa.
Anyone who is unlawfully in New Zealand is encouraged to contact INZ to discuss their situation and understand the options available to them.
They can contact us on our free phone 0508 55 88 55.