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Update

Issued: Wednesday 14 May 2025, 10:55 pm NZST

Welcome to the new Immigration New Zealand website. 

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  4. Rules and laws when hiring people from overseas

Rules and laws when hiring people from overseas

When you recruit and hire people from overseas, you must comply with employment and immigration laws. Under these laws, there are things you must do as an employer, and rules you must follow.

  • Immigration law for employers

    Employers who breach immigration law can be fined, imprisoned, lose their accreditation status and be placed on a stand-down list.

  • Providing immigration advice to migrants

    Only people who are licensed can provide immigration advice unless they are a New Zealand lawyer or staff from a Citizens Advice Bureau or other exempt person.

  • Employment law

    New Zealand employment law applies equally to migrants and New Zealand citizens and residents. You must offer work conditions to migrants that are no less than the legal minimums for New Zealanders.

  • Immigration stand-down list

    Use our list to find employers who have not complied with immigration law and are stood down from supporting visas for migrants.

  • Rules for offering a job to a person from overseas

    You can legally offer a job to an overseas candidate before they have a work or resident visa.

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