INZ Forms

At a glance

All Immigration New Zealand application forms and leaflets must be formally approved by the Deputy Chief Executive, Immigration New Zealand. Processing offices cannot alter these forms, and the validity of any form is determined by the date shown on the last page. When a form is updated, the new version generally replaces the old one, though a transitional period may allow the previous version for a limited time.

Application forms can be downloaded from the INZ website, obtained from Pacific offices, purchased in bulk from Excel Digital Print Ltd, or collected from Visa Application Centres globally [A12.5].

Definition

Under section 381 of the Immigration Act 2009, the Deputy Chief Executive of Immigration New Zealand has the authority to approve and issue application forms and other forms needed for the administration of the Act, except those prescribed by regulations [A12.1]. The forms prescribed by the Immigration (Visa, Entry Permission, and Related Matters) Regulations 2010 and the Immigration (Certificate and Warrant Forms) Regulations 2010 can only be changed through legislative amendment [A12.1].

All INZ forms carry a shoulder number prefixed by "INZ", located at the bottom of the last page, for stock management and to avoid confusion between similar forms [A12.1.10].

Application in decisions

Applicants must use the currently approved version of the relevant form. When a form is amended and approved by the Deputy Chief Executive, that amended version becomes the only approved form for lodging an application from the date of the amendment [A12.1.5]. However, the Deputy Chief Executive may permit continued use of the previous form for a specified period [A12.1.5]. During such a transitional period, applicants who use the previous form may be required to submit any additional information required by the amended form before a decision is made [A12.1.5].

Processing offices cannot alter the text of numbered forms or leaflets, even where local information may vary. Suggestions for changes must be submitted to the Enablement Branch at National Office, quoting the form or leaflet number [A12.1.1].

Obtaining application forms

Application forms and guides are available for download from the INZ website [A12.5]. Pacific-based applicants can obtain forms from INZ Pacific Offices in Samoa and Tonga, and from Visa Application Centres in Fiji [A12.5]. Bulk supplies can be purchased directly from Excel Digital Print Ltd [A12.5]. Visa Application Centres globally also provide INZ forms on request [A12.5]. The current list of receiving and processing offices, including Visa Application Centres, is available on the Immigration New Zealand website [A-appendix-2-receiving-and-processing-offices].

Interpretation & edge cases

• Validity date: The month and year of the initial print or last amendment is displayed at the bottom of the last page of every INZ form [A12.1.5]. This date determines which version is current.
• Transitional use: The Deputy Chief Executive may allow an expired form for a set time, but officers can still request supplementary information from the new version [A12.1.5]. This ensures that even applicants who submit under the old form cannot bypass updated requirements.
• Form identification: Always quote the shoulder number when referencing a form or leaflet to avoid mismatches, especially when multiple forms share a similar purpose or name [A12.1.10].

Citations

• A12.1 — Chief Executive's approval required for forms
• A12.1.1 — Alteration of forms and leaflets
• A12.1.5 — Validity of forms and leaflets
• A12.1.10 — Numbered forms and leaflets
• A12.5 — Obtaining application forms
• A-appendix-2-receiving-and-processing-offices — Appendix 2 – Receiving and processing offices