About this manual

The table below shows how information in the INZ Operational Manual (the Manual) is grouped:

Section	Content
Entry type: Residence Temporary Entry Class Transit	The Residence section contains the residence instructions for people who want to come to New Zealand to live on a permanent basis. The Temporary Entry Class sections contain temporary instructions for those wishing to come to New Zealand to visit, study, or work, or for an express purpose. Note: each of the sections above includes a generic section containing requirements that all applicants for residence or temporary entry must meet, unless specifically stated otherwise. The Transit section contains instructions for those wishing to transit through New Zealand.
Specific group: Border Entry* Compliance* Refugees and Protection*	The Border, Compliance, and Refugees and Protection sections of the Manual detail internal INZ operational instructions and are included in the Manual for ease of access and completeness.
Administration*	This section contains instructions relating to health and character requirements general information about lodging applications and how they will be assessed, and any rights of appeal.
Appendices*	Additional useful information such as which countries need to use panel doctors.
* Note that some chapters of these sections do not constitute Government immigration instructions as described in section 22 of the Immigration Act 2009.

There are three main ways to search for information in the INZ Operational Manual:

1. Using the left hand contents menu: The pane to the left of the screen displays the different types of visa applications grouped according to permanent and temporary entry. Click on the link to open the menus and locate the appropriate policy.
2. Using the left hand bottom index tab: The tab below the left navigation displays all the pages within the manual by alphabetical order.
3. Using the search function: This is located top right of the web page.

The INZ Operational Manual has the similar navigation features as other websites:

• Hyperlinks: any words underlined and in blue allow you to click on them with your mouse and be taken directly to further information. Visited links change to red so you know you've already clicked on them.
• Index tab: The index can be accessed by clicking on the Index heading bottom left of the screen.
• Up and down arrows: use the up and down arrows at the top of each page to move to the next instruction.
• Hiding left navigation: You can hide the left navigation by clicking on the left arrow icon . Unhide it again by clicking on same icon.

Some immigration instructions in this Manual summarise sections of the Immigration Act 2009, the Immigration Regulations 2010, and other statutes and international agreements. Where this occurs, references to the specific Act or Regulation are noted in italics immediately after the section or subsection heading.

These are intended as a guide to the legal provisions relevant to the particular provision in the immigration instructions that they precede, and are not necessarily comprehensive.

The summarised legal provisions are declaratory only. This means that if the interpretation of the summarised legal provisions conflicts with the interpretation of the legislation itself, then the interpretation of the legislation is decisive.

Also note that the legal provisions do not in themselves constitute Government immigration instructions.

Immigration New Zealand (INZ) is part of the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment, a Government ministry that helps people achieve high-quality working lives in thriving and inclusive communities through linking their social and economic interests.

INZ aims to increase the economic and social framework of New Zealand by:

• facilitating residence and temporary entry into New Zealand, and
• ensuring that those who cross New Zealand's borders observe the provisions of New Zealand's immigration instructions and legislation.

Most of INZ's operational work is focused on deciding residence, temporary entry and transit visa applications, but we also provide information and respond to general enquiries. In addition, INZ removes people who are in breach of immigration law, or resolves their immigration status in other ways.

Another responsibility is to determine claims for refugee status in New Zealand under the 1951 Convention Relating to the Status of Refugees and the 1967 Protocol. We select quota refugees and escort them to New Zealand, as well as arrange for their accommodation and induction after they arrive in New Zealand. New Zealand also determines claims for protection status under the Convention Against Torture and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.

Immigration officers in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (MFAT) may be responsible for limited immigration operations at overseas posts where there is no INZ branch. Customs officers act as immigration officers at places of entry to New Zealand.

Help

Underpinning all our activity is the desire to provide the best possible service and to demonstrate honesty, fairness, confidentiality and respect in all our dealings. If you need help understanding the instructions in this Manual, contact us.