2013-Jun 14: Special Direction to Suspend Visa-Waiver Status

Visa Pak 116: Information about Special Directions to Suspend Visa-Waiver Status and when they are applied to clients.

Visa Paks

14 June 2013

Special Direction to Suspend Visa-Waiver Status

A process has been put in place to standardise how an individual from a visa-waiver country can have their visa free status suspended by Immigration New Zealand (INZ). This should ensure that people coming into New Zealand meet the requirements of Immigration instructions.

Under Section 69 (2)(d) of the Immigration Act 2009 INZ has the ability to suspend, in any individual case, a waiver made by regulations referred to in subsection (1).

Background

People have been using their visa-waiver status to bypass Immigration requirements such as avoiding character and health issues and working on visitors’ visas, etc. These people tend to be repeat offenders and we are aware that the visa-waiver status is seen as a loophole.

Process

Officers should be using a Special Direction based on Section 69 (2)(d) of the Immigration Act to prevent individuals abusing their visa-waiver status to enter New Zealand.

Action

Please ensure all staff follows the process correctly when suspending visa-waiver status.