Immigration Instructions Manual
Provides an overview of the Immigration New Zealand Operational Manual, its legal status, organisation, and how to navigate it.
- Status
- active
- Updated
- 2026-04-30
- Also known as
- Operational ManualINZ Operational Manual
- Sources
- A-about-this-manualA-appendicesR
At a glance
The INZ Operational Manual is the official compilation of immigration instructions that applicants must follow to visit, study, work, transit, or settle in New Zealand [A-about-this-manual]. It is published under section 25 of the Immigration Act 2009 and sets out the criteria, evidence requirements, and assessment processes used by Immigration New Zealand [A-about-this-manual]. The Manual is not a step-by-step guide or a substitute for the Immigration Act 2009 or Immigration Regulations 2010 [A-about-this-manual].
Definition
The Operational Manual is structured into major entry types: Residence, Temporary Entry Class (visit, study, work), and Transit [A-about-this-manual]. Each entry type includes a generic section covering requirements that apply to all applicants in that category unless stated otherwise [A-about-this-manual]. For residence, the Generic Residence chapter fulfills this role: its instructions apply unless other residence instructions expressly state otherwise [R]. Additional sections cover Border Entry, Compliance, Refugees and Protection, Administration (health, character, lodging applications, appeals), and Appendices [A-about-this-manual]. Some chapters within Border, Compliance, and Refugees sections, and Administration, do not constitute Government immigration instructions as defined in section 22 of the Immigration Act 2009 [A-about-this-manual].
The Appendices (Appendix 1–15) provide structured reference lists used throughout the Manual, including work rights for temporary visa holders (Appendix 1), acceptable standards of health (Appendix 4), acceptable English language test results (Appendix 6), and skilled occupations lists (Appendices 11, 14) among others [A-appendices].
Application in decisions
Immigration officers use the instructions in the Manual as the basis for assessing and deciding visa applications [A-about-this-manual]. When the Manual summarises provisions of the Immigration Act 2009 or Immigration Regulations 2010, those summaries are declaratory only — the legislation prevails where any conflict arises [A-about-this-manual]. The legal references, which appear in italics after section or subsection headings, act as a guide but are not comprehensive and do not themselves have the force of immigration instructions [A-about-this-manual].
Interpretation & edge cases
Navigating the Manual: Users can find information through the left-hand contents menu (grouped by entry type), the index tab (alphabetical listing), or the search function [A-about-this-manual]. Hyperlinks, visited link colour changes, up/down arrows for sequential browsing, and collapsible left navigation are standard website features [A-about-this-manual].
Limitations: The Manual does not replace the underlying legislation. Any interpretation that conflicts with the Immigration Act 2009 or Immigration Regulations 2010 must yield to the legislation [A-about-this-manual]. The sections on Border, Compliance, Refugees and Protection, and certain Administration chapters are internal operational instructions and may not meet the statutory definition of immigration instructions; they are included for completeness and accessibility [A-about-this-manual].
INZ's role: Immigration New Zealand (part of the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment) administers the instructions, facilitates entry and residence, enforces compliance, removes those in breach, and determines refugee and protection claims [A-about-this-manual]. In some overseas locations, MFAT immigration officers perform limited functions, and Customs officers act as immigration officers at the border [A-about-this-manual].
Citations
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.
Immigration Officers and Decision-Makers
Explains the designation, powers, and authority of immigration officers and refugee and protection officers under the Immigration Act 2009.