Keeping up to date with immigration policy
Immigration New Zealand regularly updates immigration policy. We publish changes online, and keep immigration advisers and the public up to date.
Operational Manual
The rules and processes people must follow before we can give them a visa or permission to enter New Zealand are called 'immigration instructions'. They include requirements an applicant must meet, and evidence they must provide.
These instructions are published in our Operational Manual, which is available online.
We regularly update the Operational Manual to reflect any changes made to government policy and the immigration instructions.
The online manual includes advice on how to use it.
Amendment circulars
Upcoming changes to immigration instructions are published in amendment circulars and incorporated into the Operational Manual on the day they come into force.
Internal administration circulars
Internal administration circulars (IACs) explain internal processes and procedures to immigration staff. We publish IACs when we need to clarify instructions in the Operational Manual.
Advice to immigration staff
‘Advice to immigration staff’, or Visa Paks, are regular advice given to staff about how to interpret and apply immigration instructions.
We update advice to reflect best practice as immigration instructions change.