BestVisa

Section

Concepts

Definitions and principles referenced across the manual. 146 pages.

A

  1. Acceptable Sponsors for Residence

    Defines who may sponsor a residence class visa applicant, the criteria they must satisfy, and the duration of sponsorship obligations.

  2. Acceptable Travel Document

    Defines acceptable travel documents for visa applications and evidence of New Zealand citizenship at the border, and identifies unacceptable travel documents.

  3. Adoption

    Defines adoption under immigration instructions and the implications for residence class visa applications: an adopted person is treated as a member of the adoptive family, not the biological family.

  4. Appendix 17 – List of Qualifications Exempt from Assessment

    Lists overseas qualifications that do not need NZQA assessment for skilled migrant residence (SR instructions) or work visa applications where the country is listed in Appendix 17.

  5. Appendix 19 – List of seasonal occupations

    Lists occupations eligible for Global Workforce Seasonal Visa and Peak Seasonal Visa, with specifications and restrictions.

  6. Appendix 3 – List of Qualifications Exempt from Assessment

    Lists overseas qualifications that do not require NZQA assessment for Skilled Migrant Category (SM) residence and some work visa applications; applies until the new SR instructions.

  7. Appendix 9 - Foreign Charter Vessels - Crew Employment Agreements

    Prescribes the standard principles for crew employment agreements on foreign charter vessels in New Zealand fisheries waters (ceased 8 May 2017).

  8. Approval in principle (residence)

    When a residence class visa is approved in principle once all eligibility requirements are met except final steps like fee payment or investment transfer.

  9. Approved student exchange schemes

    Allows participants in approved student exchange schemes to study in NZ under responsible organisations that meet welfare and accommodation requirements.

  10. Argentina – List of Qualifications Exempt from Assessment

    Qualifications from Argentina that are exempt from NZQA assessment and qualify for points under the Skilled Migrant Category, subject to institution and year conditions.

  11. Australia qualifications exempt from assessment

    Lists Australian qualifications exempt from NZQA assessment and qualifying for Skilled Migrant Category points.

  12. Australian and New Zealand Standard Classification of Occupations (ANZSCO)

    INZ's use of ANZSCO version 1.2 as a transitional measure (now codified under R5.7) and the exception for Dairy Cattle Farmer occupations assessed under ANZSCO v1.3.

  13. Austria qualifications exempt from assessment

    Lists Austrian qualifications exempt from assessment for Skilled Migrant Category points, with NZQF levels and awarding institutions.

  14. Automated Electronic Decision-Making

    Permits the use of automated electronic systems to apply predetermined criteria for certain immigration decisions, including visa grants, entry permission, and employer accreditation.

B

  1. Belarus visa ban

    Ban on granting visas to Belarusian individuals named on the list associated with the Lukashenko regime, with limited exceptions.

  2. Belgium qualifications exempt from assessment

    Lists Belgian qualifications exempt from NZQA assessment and their Skilled Migrant Category points.

  3. Bilateral fee waivers

    Certain nationalities are exempt from visa fees and immigration levy under bilateral agreements, depending on visa type and whether the application is made onshore or offshore.

  4. Biometric Information

    Defines 'biometric information' as a photograph of head and shoulders, fingerprints, or an iris scan, including any record of these.

  5. Bona fide applicant (temporary stay)

    Applicants for temporary entry must genuinely intend a temporary stay for a lawful purpose and not be likely to overstay, breach visa conditions, or be unable to leave or be deported.

  6. Bond

    A monetary bond imposed on visitor visa applicants to manage the risk of overstaying in New Zealand.

  7. Border Entry

    Governs border entry and departure passenger responsibilities, including travel document presentation, New Zealand Traveller Declaration, biometric collection, and departure obligations.

  8. Business Immigration Instructions (BA)

    Outlines business immigration categories, objectives, and streamlining processes under previous immigration instructions.

C

  1. Canada qualifications exempt from assessment

    Canadian qualifications that are exempt from NZQA assessment for Skilled Migrant Category points, subject to institution, year, and qualification criteria.

  2. Carrier information obligations

    Requires carriers to provide detailed passenger information to the Chief Executive of MBIE for border security purposes on request.

  3. Carrier Offences

    Offences committed by carriers or persons in charge of a craft under the Immigration Act 2009, including infringement notices, penalties, and fees.

  4. Character requirements

    Covers the character requirements that visa applicants and supporting employers must meet under New Zealand immigration instructions.

  5. China qualifications exempt from assessment

    Lists Chinese qualifications from specified institutions that are exempt from NZQA assessment for Skilled Migrant Category points.

  6. Classified information decisions

    Sets out the process by which classified information relating to security or criminal conduct may be determined and used in immigration decision-making.

  7. Compliance Objective

    Sets out the objective of Immigration New Zealand's compliance instructions: to maintain the integrity of immigration law by detecting and dealing with breaches.

  8. Compliance with employment and immigration law

    Requirement for employers who support visa applications to have a history of compliance with employment and immigration law, and consequences of non-compliance.

  9. Czech Republic: Qualifications Exempt from Assessment

    Lists Czech qualifications exempt from NZQA assessment under the Skilled Migrant Category and the points allocated to them.

D

  1. Declining a Residence Class Visa Application

    Procedure for declining a residence class visa application, including notification, reasons, and appeal rights.

  2. Deemed residence class visa holders

    Identifies categories of people deemed to hold a residence class visa under the Immigration Act 2009, including former permit holders and ex-citizens.

  3. Denmark: Qualifications exempt from assessment

    Lists Danish qualifications exempt from NZQA assessment for Skilled Migrant Category points, including institutions and award year thresholds.

  4. Deportation Objective

    Specifies how people may become liable for deportation, the meaning and consequences of liability, any rights of appeal against deportation and how deportation will be executed.

E

  1. Employer accreditation stand down periods

    Sets out the stand down periods that apply when an employer or key person receives a fine under the Immigration Act 2009, resulting in accreditation being declined or revoked.

  2. English Language Requirement for Business Visas (BF Chapter)

    Requires principal applicants under business immigration categories to meet a minimum standard of English, and defines how that standard is met.

F

  1. Fairness and Natural Justice

    Requires immigration officers to act fairly and follow natural justice principles when making decisions on applications.

  2. False, misleading or withheld information under Section 58

    Obligation on applicants to inform INZ of all relevant facts and changed circumstances, and the process for assessing false or misleading information under section 58.

  3. Family residence objective

    Sets out the objectives of New Zealand's Family Categories residence instructions: to strengthen families and communities and contribute to economic transformation and social development.

  4. Fees and levies

    Visa fee, Immigration Levy, and International Visitor Conservation and Tourism Levy (IVL) — who must pay them and the exemptions for diplomatic and official passport holders.

  5. Fit and Proper Person (Business)

    Requirement for principal applicants under business and investor visa categories to be accountable for the actions of businesses they influence.

  6. Foreign government-supported students

    Foreign students funded by their home government to study in New Zealand, with specific visa requirements and an exemption from providing evidence of tuition fee payment.

  7. France qualifications exempt from assessment

    Lists French academic qualifications and awarding institutions that are exempt from NZQA assessment under the Skilled Migrant Category, with points between 50 and 70.

  8. Further temporary visas for student visa applicants

    Provisions for discretionary grant of further temporary visas to student visa applicants needing to meet health or character requirements, and for those waiting for residence decisions.

G

  1. Generic work visa instructions

    Establishes the generic requirements for applicants and employers that apply across all work visa categories, including compliance with employment, immigration, and criminal law.

  2. Germany – Academic Qualifications Exempt from Assessment

    Lists German academic qualifications exempt from NZQA assessment for Skilled Migrant Category and skilled residence applications, with institution and date requirements.

  3. Germany – Craft and Trade Qualifications Exempt from Assessment

    Lists German craft and trade qualifications and apprenticeships exempt from NZQA assessment, qualifying for SMC points when relevant to ANZSCO skill level 3, 4, or 5 occupations.

  4. Germany – Technical Vocational Qualifications Exempt from Assessment

    Lists German technical vocational qualifications (Diplom Ingenieur (Berufsakademie)) and eligible Berufsakademien that are exempt from NZQA assessment, qualifying for 40 SMC points.

  5. Grace Mugabe visa restriction

    Blocks visas for Grace Mugabe and student visas for adult children of Robert and Grace Mugabe; special circumstances exception decided by senior officers.

  6. Green List

    Occupations eligible for streamlined residence pathways under New Zealand immigration instructions.

H

  1. Health Requirements

    Sets the acceptable standard of health for visa applicants, including medical assessments and cost thresholds.

I

  1. Immigration Adviser Acting on Behalf of an Applicant

    No immigration application or request may be accepted from an unlicensed adviser unless exempt; if accepted in error, it must be refused. Reinforces the Licensing Act requirement.

  2. Immigration Instructions Manual

    Provides an overview of the Immigration New Zealand Operational Manual, its legal status, organisation, and how to navigate it.

  3. Immigration Officers and Decision-Makers

    Explains the designation, powers, and authority of immigration officers and refugee and protection officers under the Immigration Act 2009.

  4. Inclusion of family members in residence applications

    Defines who may be included as a partner or dependent child in a residence class visa application, the criteria they must meet, and the rules on removal.

  5. India — Qualifications Exempt from Assessment

    Lists Indian academic qualifications, awarding institutions, and date ranges that are exempt from NZQA assessment for SMC points.

  6. Indonesia – Qualifications Exempt from Assessment

    Lists Indonesian qualifications exempt from NZQA assessment under Appendix 3 for Skilled Migrant Category residence and some work visa applications.

  7. Inter-country adoption guidelines

    General principles for when a New Zealand resident or citizen adopts a child overseas and applies for a visa for that child.

  8. Interim visas

    An interim visa may be granted to certain onshore applicants to maintain lawful status while a further visa application is decided, as a matter of absolute discretion.

  9. INZ Forms

    Describes the approval and validity of INZ forms, and the various ways to obtain application forms, including online download, Pacific offices, bulk purchase, and visa application centres.

  10. Iran qualifications exempt from assessment

    Exempts Iranian qualifications from specific universities from NZQA assessment for SMC points under certain conditions.

  11. Iran visa ban

    Prohibits granting visas to Iranian individuals on an INZ list linked to Mahsa Amini's death, human rights violations in Iran, or malign activities abroad; special circumstances exception available.

  12. Ireland Academic Qualifications Exempt from Assessment

    Lists Irish qualifications and awarding institutions that are exempt from NZQA assessment for Skilled Migrant Category points.

  13. Ireland Country-Specific Qualification Instructions

    Overview of INZ qualification recognition instructions for Ireland, including exempt lists and assessment requirements for SMC eligibility.

  14. Ireland Craft and Trade Qualifications Exempt from Assessment

    Lists Irish craft and trade qualifications and awarding bodies that are exempt from NZQA assessment for Skilled Migrant Category points, with applicable timeframes and ANZSCO skill level requirements.

  15. Ireland Technical Craft Related Qualifications Exempt from Assessment

    Lists Irish technical craft qualifications (Higher Certificates) and awarding bodies that are exempt from NZQA assessment, qualifying for 40 points under the SMC.

  16. Israel – Qualifications Exempt from Assessment

    Lists Israeli university qualifications exempt from NZQA assessment for Skilled Migrant Category and some work visa applications under Appendix 3.

  17. Italy – Qualifications Exempt from Assessment

    Lists Italian academic qualifications that are exempt from NZQA assessment for Skilled Migrant Category points, including awarding institutions and conditions.

J

  1. Japan Qualifications Exempt from Assessment

    Lists Japanese academic qualifications and awarding institutions exempt from NZQA assessment for Skilled Migrant Category points.

L

  1. Lapsing a temporary visa application from offshore applicants impacted by COVID-19 border restrictions

    Provision allowing INZ to administratively close undecided temporary visa applications lodged before 10 August 2020 by offshore applicants, effective 24 June 2021.

  2. Later application by previous applicants (R5.35)

    Prevents an applicant from obtaining a residence class visa based on a relationship to a New Zealand resident or citizen who originally gained residence as their partner or dependent child.

  3. Liability for Deportation

    Specifies when a person is liable for deportation, how liability is communicated, its consequences including prohibition on entry, appeal rights, and limitations on who may be deported.

  4. List of care workforce sector and tourism and hospitality occupations

    Occupations in care workforce, tourism and hospitality sectors listed in Appendix 14, used for median wage exemptions in certain work visa categories.

  5. Long Term Skill Shortage List (LTSSL)

    Lists occupations experiencing a sustained skill shortage in New Zealand, with qualification and work experience requirements for work and residence visa pathways.

M

  1. Malaysia – Qualifications Exempt from Assessment

    Lists Malaysian qualifications exempt from NZQA assessment for skilled migrant residence and work visa applications.

  2. Managed Funds & Direct Investments Criteria (Appendix 15)

    Defines acceptable managed funds and direct investments for the Active Investor Plus visa, to be verified by Invest NZ.

  3. Mass arrival group visa processes

    Temporary work, student and visitor visas for mass arrival group members with refugee or protection status, the mandatory status review, and the permanent resident visa pathway.

  4. Military Visa Instructions Objective (M1)

    Defines the objective of military visa instructions to facilitate movement of visiting force members and crew under the Visiting Forces Act 2004.

  5. Minors

    Definition of a minor under immigration instructions, nomination of a responsible adult, and the roles and rights of a responsible adult.

  6. Myanmar visa ban

    Prohibits granting visas to individuals named on an INZ list for involvement in Myanmar's 2021 coup or human rights violations, subject to special circumstances.

N

  1. N1 Objective

    Sets out the objective of Transit Visa instructions and the obligations of transit passengers, including consequences of non-compliance.

  2. National Occupation List (NOL) skill level 1–3 occupations

    Lists occupations at skill levels 1–3 recognised under Accredited Employer instructions, subject to substantial match assessment.

  3. Netherlands – Qualifications Exempt from Assessment (Appendix 3)

    Lists Netherlands qualifications exempt from NZQA assessment for Skilled Migrant Category residence and some work visa applications under Appendix 3.

  4. New Zealand citizens and endorsements

    Rights of New Zealand citizens to enter and remain in New Zealand, and the use of endorsements to evidence citizenship.

  5. New Zealand scholarship students

    Defines MFAT-funded New Zealand scholarship students, the four scholarship schemes, objectives, return obligations, and employment conditions.

  6. Non-principal applicant eligibility for subsequent visas

    Determines when non-principal applicants from an original residence application may be granted a permanent resident visa, variation of travel conditions, or second/subsequent resident visa.

O

  1. Occupations considered as ANZSCO skill level 3 under Accredited Employer instructions

    Lists occupations that INZ treats as ANZSCO skill level 3 for Accredited Employer visa assessments, overriding the standard ANZSCO classification.

  2. Occupations requiring registration by law

    Lists occupations that legally require registration to undertake employment in New Zealand.

  3. Official Information Act 1982 (OIA)

    Legislation that promotes access to official information, enabling participation in law-making and accountability of officials, while protecting privacy.

  4. Ordinarily resident in New Zealand

    Defines the concept of 'ordinarily resident' in New Zealand for the purpose of sponsorship in immigration instructions.

P

  1. Persons born in New Zealand on or after 1 January 2006

    Assigns an immigration status to persons born in New Zealand on or after 1 January 2006 who are not citizens, based on the most favourable parental status at birth.

  2. Philippines qualifications exempt from assessment

    Lists Philippine qualifications and awarding institutions that are exempt from NZQA assessment under the Skilled Migrant Category.

  3. Points Summary (Skilled Migrant Category)

    Sums up points awarded for income, qualification, NZ registration, and skilled work experience for the Skilled Migrant Category Resident Visa.

  4. Poland qualifications exempt from assessment

    Lists Polish academic qualifications exempt from NZQA assessment and their points under the Skilled Migrant Category.

  5. Privacy Act

    Governs Immigration New Zealand's handling of personal information. Its objectives include protecting individual privacy rights, providing access, and meeting international obligations.

  6. Processing of visa applications and refugee/protection status claims (order and manner)

    Explains the order and manner in which Immigration New Zealand processes visa applications and refugee/protection status claims, including prioritisation rules and activity-based processing.

R

  1. Reclaiming airfares and expenses

    Requires repayment of INZ removal, deportation, or repatriation costs before granting a residence class visa.

  2. Refugee and protection objective

    Objective, determination, transitional recognition, definitions, and cessation/cancellation of refugee and protected person status under New Zealand's refugee and protection instructions.

  3. Religious work definition

    Defines what constitutes religious work for the purposes of the Religious Worker visa instructions.

  4. Requests for information by other Government departments

    Allows specified agencies (Work and Income, Inland Revenue) to request personal information from INZ under statutory authority, provided the request is in writing and cites the legal basis.

  5. Requirement to be lawfully in New Zealand

    Defines who must hold a visa to be in New Zealand, the requirement to hold a residence class visa for indefinite stay, categories of unlawful presence, and obligations to leave.

  6. Residence and Reporting Requirements

    Permits an immigration officer and a person liable for arrest and detention to agree to specified residence, reporting, guarantor, and other requirements as an alternative to detention.

  7. Residence class visa waivers

    People exempt from needing a residence class visa to travel to New Zealand, including Australian citizens and permanent residents, and special direction waiver holders.

  8. Residence Objective

    Defines the objectives of New Zealand's residence programme and the rationale for requiring sponsors in some residence categories.

  9. Resident Visa Travel Conditions

    Explains travel conditions, expiry, and options for resident visa holders to obtain permanent residence or subsequent visas.

  10. Restrictions on residence class visas

    Specifies who may not apply for or be granted a residence class visa, including limited visa holders, persons liable for deportation, UNSC‑designated persons, and invitation requirements.

  11. Restrictions on residence class visas for New Zealand scholarship students and dependants

    Outlines the ineligibility of New Zealand scholarship students, their partners, and dependent children for residence class visas during and for two years after the scholarship, unless waived.

  12. Right of access to counsel and legal aid

    Gives detainees under the Immigration Act 2009 the right to contact a lawyer or responsible adult, private communication, and legal aid eligibility for certain persons facing a warrant of commitment.

  13. Romania: Qualifications Exempt from Assessment

    Lists Romanian academic qualifications and institutions that are exempt from NZQA assessment for SMC points.

  14. Rules for non-compliant employers (employment standards)

    Sets out the stand-down periods imposed on employers who breach employment standards, maintained by MBIE and used by INZ.

  15. Rules for non-compliant employers (immigration non-compliance)

    Defines when an employer is added to MBIE's immigration non-compliance list and the stand-down periods that apply for Immigration Act 2009 offences.

S

  1. Scarce Occupations List

    INZ's list of occupations deemed in shortage, covering Long Term Skill Shortage, health/education registration, critical health workers, and primary sector roles.

  2. Second opinion assessments by Ministry of Education (residence class visa applications)

    Process for referring a disputed MoE assessment to a second panel to determine ORS funding probability.

  3. Singapore recognised qualifications

    Lists academic qualifications from designated Singapore institutions that are exempt from NZQA assessment and the SMC points they attract.

  4. South Africa – Academic Qualifications Exempt from Assessment

    Lists South African academic qualifications exempt from NZQA assessment and their points under the Skilled Migrant Category.

  5. South Africa Technical and Vocational Qualifications (Exempt Assessment)

    Lists South African technical and vocational qualifications exempt from NZQA assessment and eligible for points under the Skilled Migrant Category.

  6. South Africa Trade Qualifications Exempt from NZQA Assessment

    Lists South African trade qualifications that may be assessed without NZQA for Skilled Migrant Category points, under specific conditions.

  7. South Korea Qualifications (Exempt from Assessment)

    Lists South Korean qualifications that are exempt from NZQA assessment and their points under the Skilled Migrant Category.

  8. South Pacific – Qualifications Exempt from Assessment

    Lists qualifications from the University of the South Pacific that are exempt from NZQA assessment for Skilled Migrant Category (SM) points purposes.

  9. Special directions

    The Minister (or delegate) may give immigration officers special directions in relation to persons, visas, or documents in special circumstances, as a matter of absolute discretion.

  10. Special Temporary Visa Instructions Objective

    Sets the objective of special temporary visa instructions: to facilitate the movement of persons who will be in New Zealand in a specified official capacity.

  11. Sponsorship for temporary entry

    The sponsorship framework for temporary entry class visa applications, setting out sponsor eligibility, obligations, and the consequences of sponsor breach for the visa holder.

  12. Sri Lanka Exempt Qualifications

    Lists Sri Lankan qualifications exempt from NZQA assessment for SMC points and the conditions that apply.

  13. Student Instructions Objectives

    Outlines the purpose of New Zealand's student instructions: attracting genuine students with needed skills, contributing to economic development, and managing risk.

  14. Study visa conditions

    Specific conditions applying to student visas, limited visas and interim visas granted for study purposes, including maintenance, travel, attendance, progress, fees and insurance.

  15. Supporting documents

    General requirements for documents submitted to support visa applications.

  16. Sweden – Qualifications Exempt from Assessment

    Lists Swedish qualifications that are exempt from NZQA assessment for Skilled Migrant Residence and certain work visa applications under Appendix 17.

  17. Switzerland – Qualifications Exempt from Assessment

    Lists Swiss qualifications exempt from NZQA assessment for immigration points under the Skilled Migrant Category and Skilled Migrant Residence instructions.

T

  1. Taiwan – Qualifications Exempt from Assessment

    Lists Taiwan qualifications that are exempt from NZQA assessment for Skilled Migrant Category (SMC) and some work visa applications.

  2. Temporary entry class visa for partners and dependent children

    Sets the eligibility, evidence, partnership tests, and visitor visa grant rules for partners and dependent children of student or work visa holders.

  3. Thailand – List of Qualifications Exempt from Assessment (Appendix 3)

    Lists Thai degrees and awarding institutions that are exempt from NZQA assessment for Skilled Migrant Category (SM) residence points under Appendix 3.

  4. The need to apply for a student visa

    Requirement that overseas students must obtain a student visa to study in New Zealand, unless otherwise permitted by immigration instructions.

  5. Travel conditions on resident visas

    Explains the travel conditions granted with New Zealand resident visas, including first entry and multiple entry periods, rules for variations, and rules for former citizens.

U

  1. United Kingdom – Academic Qualifications Exempt from Assessment

    Lists United Kingdom academic qualifications that are exempt from NZQA assessment for Skilled Migrant Category residence and certain work visa applications under Appendix 17.

  2. United Kingdom – Technical and Vocational Qualifications Exempt from Assessment

    Lists UK technical and vocational qualifications exempt from NZQA assessment for immigration points under SR and WI instructions where Appendix 17 applies.

  3. United Kingdom Country Instructions

    Defines the status of the United Kingdom for immigration operations and its treatment in INZ policy.

  4. United Kingdom Trade Qualifications (Exempt Assessment)

    Defines which City and Guilds craft qualifications and post-2011 UK apprenticeships are exempt from NZQA assessment and can earn points under the Skilled Migrant Category.

  5. United States Qualifications Exempt from Assessment

    Lists United States academic qualifications that are exempt from NZQA assessment and the points they attract under SMC.

V

  1. Visa system

    Sets out the structure of New Zealand's visa system and the framework for how Immigration Instructions are applied.

  2. Visa Waiver

    Allows certain travellers to enter New Zealand without a visa, subject to holding an Electronic Travel Authority (ETA) unless exempt.

  3. Visitor visa objective

    The foundational objective of New Zealand's visitor visa instructions, balancing facilitation of visitors with risk management.

W

  1. Work conditions for tertiary students

    Allows student visa holders enrolled at a tertiary institution or PTE to work during academic year and scheduled vacations, subject to programme and provider criteria.

  2. Work visa definitions

    Defines 'work', 'full-time employment', 'New Zealand' for work purposes, and the 'New Zealand market rate' used throughout work instructions.

  3. Work visa streams

    The four organising streams under which all temporary work visas are categorised.

Y

  1. Y1 Objective

    Sets the dual purpose of New Zealand's Border operational instructions: facilitating entry for compliant travellers and managing risks from non-compliant travellers.

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