Release of immigration information
We proactively release Cabinet papers and supporting advice on our policy work.
On this page
2024
Documents relating to the future of the Skilled Migrant Category
Papers considered by Cabinet
Published January 2024
Supporting advice
Published January 2024
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Skilled Migrant Category Review [PDF 2.6MB]
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Skilled Migrant Category Review – Draft Cabinet Paper [PDF 2.5MB]
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Future of the Skilled Migrant Category – Updated Cabinet paper [PDF 473KB]
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Future of the Skilled Migrant Category: Final Cabinet Paper and Talking Points [PDF 618KB]
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Future of the Skilled Migrant Category: Consultation document [PDF 2.2MB]
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Future of the Skilled Migrant Category – Public consultation outcomes and next steps [PDF 4.5MB]
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Future of the Skilled Migrant Category – Final Decisions: Draft Cabinet Paper [PDF 493KB]
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Future of the Skilled Migrant Category – Final decisions: Cabinet Paper for Ministerial Consultation [PDF 259KB]
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Skilled Migrant Category and the Green List: Final Cabinet papers for lodging [PDF 215KB]
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Decisions on future use of the LQEA [PDF 904KB]
Supporting advice
Published July 2023
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Changes to the Immigration Green List for the health sector [PDF 575KB]
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Changes to the Immigration Green List for the Health Sector – Minute of Decision [PDF 179KB]
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Immigration Green List Review: Proposed Additions [PDF 352KB]
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Immigration Green List Review: Proposed Additions – Minute of Decision [PDF 68KB]
2023
Documents relating to the Green List
Papers considered by Cabinet
Published July 2023
Documents relating to partner work rights
Papers considered by Cabinet
Published July 2023
Supporting advice
Published July 2023
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Briefing: Options for changes to partners work rights and oral item for Cabinet, 28 November [PDF 380KB]
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Briefing: Further advice on possible changes to partner work rights [PDF 354KB]
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Briefing: Draft Cabinet paper on Immigration Rebalance - implementing agreed changes to partner work rights [PDF 581KB]
Documents relating to the Accredited Employer Work Visa
Papers considered by Cabinet
Published November 2023
Documents relating to the Recovery Visa
Papers considered by Cabinet
Published November 2023
Supporting advice
Published November 2023
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Advice note: Cyclone Response Workforce Demands and Potential Immigration Responses [PDF 243KB]
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Advice note: Immigration response to Cyclone Gabrielle – supporting A3 [PDF 100KB]
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Briefing: Immigration options to support the response to the early 2023 extreme weather events [PDF 1.4MB]
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Aide Memoire: Recovery Visa [PDF 367KB]
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Briefing: Next steps for the Recovery Visa [PDF 386KB]
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Briefing: Update on Cyclone Response Immigration Options [PDF 816KB]
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Briefing: Draft Cabinet paper: Cyclone Response – Immigration options [PDF 572KB]
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Briefing: Material to support your item at Economic Development Committee on 16 August: Cyclone response – Immigration options [PDF 512KB]
2022
Documents relating to the Accredited Employer Work Visa and Immigration Rebalance
Papers considered by Cabinet
Published July 2022
Published October 2023
Supporting advice
Published January 2023
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Immigration Rebalance — implementing the changes for employer-assisted workers and partners [PDF 479KB]
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Immigration Rebalance – advice on lists and sector agreements [PDF 1.4MB]
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Draft Cabinet paper for consultation — Immigration Rebalance- determining lists and sector agreements [PDF 674KB]
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Final Cabinet paper: Immigration Rebalance — determining lists and sector agreements [PDF 472KB]
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Final Cabinet paper after additional consultation: Immigration Rebalance — determining lists and sector agreements [PDF 2MB]
Published October 2023
Documents relating to the Victims of Family Violence visa
Papers considered by Cabinet
Published November 2023
Supporting advice
Published November 2023
2021
Documents relating to the Accredited Employer Work Visa and Immigration Rebalance
Papers considered by Cabinet
Published July 2022
Ministerial briefings
Published January 2023
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Immigration rebalance — Material for discussion, 13 August [PDF 2MB]
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Immigration Rebalance — options for employer-assisted workers and partners [PDF 6MB]
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Accredited Employer Work Visa: New implementation date and transitional arrangements [PDF 539KB]
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Proposed definition of a “franchisee employer” for the Accredited Employer Work Visa system [PDF 589KB]
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Employer-assisted temporary work visa reforms – job and migrant worker check proposals [PDF 4.9MB]
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Employer-assisted temporary work visa reforms – employer gateway proposals [PDF 9.7MB]
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Transitional approach to the upcoming employer assisted temporary work visa reforms [PDF 3.5MB]
Documents relating to decisions on the 2021 Resident Visa
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Long-term direction for the Immigration Portfolio: a rebalance [PDF 720KB]
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Long-term direction for the Immigration Portfolio: a rebalance – Minute of Decision [PDF 143KB]
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One-off residence pathway for onshore migrant workers [PDF 742KB]
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One-off residence pathway for onshore migrant workers – Minute of decision [PDF 156KB]
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2021 Resident Visa: fees and detailed policy decisions [PDF 980KB]
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2021 Resident Visa: fees and detailed policy decisions – Minute of Decision [PDF 166KB]
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One-off residence pathway – further policy and design decisions [PDF 450KB]
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One-off residence pathway – payment approach for people with existing skilled residence applications and SMC EOIs in progress [PDF 203KB]
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Clarifying eligibility requirements for the 2021 Resident Visa [PDF 360KB]
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Immigration New Zealand Operational Manual amendments requiring ministerial certification: 2021 Resident Visa Category [PDF 1000KB]
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Revised draft Cabinet Paper on residence options for currently onshore migrants [PDF 229KB]
2020
From early 2020, advice to the Government was focused on addressing the COVID-19 pandemic. Those papers were proactively released centrally on the COVID-19 website.
Documents relating to COVID-19 decisions on the COVID-19 website(external link)
Immigration related papers released during COVID-19(external link)
Papers considered by Cabinet
Published April 2020
Extension of powers under the Immigration (COVID-19 Response) Amendment Act [PDF, 137 KB]
Immigration (COVID-19 Response) Amendment Bill 2021: Approval for introduction [PDF, 136 KB]
2019
Changes to temporary work visas (Accredited Employer Work Visa)
Papers considered by Cabinet
Published November 2019
Supporting advice
Regional Differentiation Framework [PDF, 844 KB]
Employer-Assisted Work Visa Reforms – draft Cabinet papers [PDF, 230 KB]
Employer-assisted work visa reforms: Final Cabinet papers [PDF, 531 KB]
Defining Regions for Regional Skills Shortage Lists [PDF, 248 KB]
Employer-assisted temporary work visa reforms: Regional aspects of the Job Gateway [PDF, 858 KB]
Sector Agreements: Feedback from public consultation and initial advice [PDF, 316 KB]
Sector Agreements: Further policy decisions [PDF, 248 KB]
Further decisions on negotiation process and sectors for initial Sector Agreements [PDF, 1.2 MB]
Implementation of initial Sector Agreements [PDF, 206 KB]
Employer-led Gateway Framework: Next Steps [PDF, 511 KB]
Accreditation in the new employer-assisted gateway framework [PDF, 399 KB]
Three year Refugee Quota Programme and removal of the family link requirement
Papers considered by Cabinet
Published November 2019
Three year Refugee Quota Programme 2019/20 to 2021/22 [PDF, 1.9 MB]
Three year Refugee Quota Programme 2019/20 to 2021/22 - Minute of Decision [PDF, 191 KB]
Supporting advice
Options for staging the increase in the Refugee Quota [PDF, 1.7 MB]
Options for the three-year Refugee Quota Programme 2019/20 – 2021/22 [PDF, 1.7 MB]
Three-year Refugee Quota Programme 2019/20 – 2021/22: Draft Cabinet Paper [PDF, 529 KB]
Final Cabinet paper: Three-year Refugee Quota Programme 2019/20 to 2021/22 [PDF, 524 KB]
Changes to the Parent Resident Visa
Papers considered by Cabinet
Published November 2019
Options for Changes to the Parent Resident Visa (Parent Category) – 18 September 2019 [PDF, 2.8 MB]
Options for Changes to the Parent Resident Visa (Parent Category) - 16 September 2019 [PDF, 2.3 MB]
Changes to the Parent Resident Visa (Parent Category) – 12 December 2018 [PDF, 519 KB]
Supporting advice
Final Draft Cabinet Paper New Zealand Residence Programme and Parent Category [PDF, 408 KB]
Note: Do parents get left behind? (Parent Category Location of Parents and Sponsors) [PDF, 186 KB]
Note: Parent Category Sponsorship - How many parents can I bring in? [PDF, 113 KB]
Note: Income threshold ‘vs income and visa category [PDF, 392 KB]
The fiscal impact of the Parent Visa category - analytical tables [PDF, 830 KB]
Briefing for the Incoming Associate Minister of Immigration
Published September 2019
Briefing for the Incoming Associate Minister of Immigration [PDF, 1.8 MB]
Immigration New Zealand Realignment
Published June 2019
Striking the Balance - INZ Realignment - Final Decision Document [PDF, 1.7 MB]
Student Visas
Published 11 June 2019
Briefing: Student Visa Processing Update – 21 February [PDF, 2.4 MB]
Briefing: Student Visa Processing March Update [PDF, 3.1 MB]
Terms of Reference: Joint Immigration New Zealand/Education New Zealand Work Programme [PDF, 610 KB]
Electronic Travel Authority and International Visitor Conservation and Tourism Levy
Published June 2019
Published May 2019
Briefing: Electronic Travel Authority: update on further policy work [PDF, 932 KB]
Published February to April 2019
Briefing: Revenue forecasts and appropriations for the IVL [PDF, 555 KB]
Cabinet paper: Further policy decisions 1 [PDF, 763 KB]
Cost recovery impact statement: User fees [PDF, 733 KB]
Minute of decision: Further policy decisions [PDF, 277 KB]
2018
Electronic Travel Authority and International Visitor Conservation and Tourism Levy
Published 20 December 2018
Cabinet Paper: Proposal to develop an Electronic Travel Authority [PDF, 6.4 MB]
Cabinet Paper: Agreement to establish Electronic Travel Authority [PDF, 685 KB]
Briefing Note: Electronic Travel Authority consultation outcomes [PDF, 3.2 MB]
Electronic Travel Authority Consultation document [PDF, 486 KB]
Electronic Travel Authority Business Case [PDF, 1.8 MB]
Electronic Travel Authority Submissions Summary [PDF, 435 KB]
Electronic Travel Authority Impact Summary [PDF, 684 KB]
Published 13 December 2018
Electronic Travel Authority: next steps for policy decisions and regulations [PDF, 6 MB]
Published October 2018
Briefing: Spending the international visitor conservation and tourism levy [PDF, 588 KB]
Published September 2018
International Visitor Conservation and Tourism Levy: cabinet paper [PDF, 363 KB]
Annex one - Draft discussion document for targeted consultation [PDF, 232 KB]
Series of briefings and Cabinet papers February 2018 – February 2019
International Visitor Conservation and Tourism Levy discussion document [PDF, 861 KB]
Cabinet paper: Further policy decisions 1 [PDF, 763 KB]
Cost recovery impact statement: User fees [PDF, 733 KB]
Minute of decision: Further policy decisions [PDF, 277 KB]
Cabinet Paper: Agreement to establish Electronic Travel Authority [PDF, 685 KB]
Electronic Travel Authority Impact Summary [PDF, 684 KB]
Briefing Note: Electronic Travel Authority consultation outcomes [PDF, 3.2 MB]
Electronic Travel Authority Submissions Summary [PDF, 435 KB]
Cabinet Paper: Proposal to develop an Electronic Travel Authority [PDF, 6.4 MB]
Electronic Travel Authority Consultation document [PDF, 486 KB]
Electronic Travel Authority Business Case [PDF, 1.8 MB]
Immigration Fees and Levies Review
Published 20 December 2018
Initial Cabinet Paper for Immigration Fees and Levies Review [PDF, 836 KB]
Final Cabinet Paper for Immigration Fees and Levies Review [PDF, 282 KB]
Immigration Fees and Levies Review Consultation Personas [PDF, 237 KB]
Immigration Fees and Levies Cost Recovery Impact Statement [PDF, 1.4 MB]
Individual Fees and Levies Schedule for Immigration Fees and Levies Review [PDF, 47 KB]
Summary of Submissions Report for Immigration Fees and Levies Review [PDF, 388 KB]
Outcomes of Immigration Fees and Levies Consultation [PDF, 3.7 MB]
Temporary work visas and reigonal workforce planning
Published 18 December 2018
Post-study work rights
Published 10 December 2018
Briefing: Amended recommendation 9.2 for cabinet committee 6 August 2018 [PDF, 3.6 MB]
Briefing: Partners and dependent children of international students [PDF, 1.7 MB]
Increase in the refugee quota
Published 18 October 2018
Cabinet paper: Annual refugee quota proposed increase [PDF, 1017 KB]
Cabinet Minute of decision: Annual refugee quota proposed increase [PDF, 586 KB]
Removal of departure cards
Published 24 September 2018
Cabinet paper - Proposal to remove departure cards by November 2018 [PDF, 895 KB]
Update on the feasibility of removing departure cards [PDF, 868 KB]
Update on the progress of removing departure cards [PDF, 706 KB]
KiwiBuild policy
Published 27 June 2018
Cabinet paper - Immigration settings to support KiwiBuild [PDF, 512 KB]
Cabinet paper Annex One - A3 Upcoming Immigration papers summary [PDF, 592 KB]
KiwiBuild fact sheet [PDF, 84 KB]
Pacific migration
Published 15 May 2018
Pacific climate migration
Published 7 May 2018
Address to the New Zealand Association of Immigration Professionals (22 February) [PDF, 391 KB]
Global Compact for Migration - first round of negotiations [PDF, 1.2 MB]
Global Compact for Migration - negotiating parameters [PDF, 1.3 MB]
Immigration Policy priorities data and evidence [PDF, 5 MB]
Information on trade and international relationships in the immigration portfolio [PDF, 2.2 MB]
Pacific climate migration cabinet paper progress update [PDF, 152 KB]
Portugal Working Holiday Scheme (WHS) [PDF, 1.6 MB]
International education and immigration levers
Published 3 May 2018
International Education Manifesto Commitments and Immigration Levers Briefing [PDF, 1.5 MB]
Recognised Seasonal Employer Scheme
Published 20 March 2018
Minute of decision [PDF, 112 KB]
2017
The Community Organisation Refugee Sponsorship Category
Published 30 August 2017
The below documents relate to Cabinet decisions on the policy design of the Community Organisation Refugee Sponsorship Category.
Cabinet paper: Community Organisation Refugee Sponsorship Category (August 2017) [PDF, 717 KB]
Cabinet EGI Minute: Community Organisation Refugee Sponsorship Category (August 2017) [PDF, 593 KB]
Essential Skills visa policy
Published 28 July 2017
The below cabinet paper relates to changes to the Essential Skills temporary work visa policy. This cabinet paper followed consultation on proposed changes announced in April.
Labour migration policies
Published 3 May 2017
The information below relates to papers concerning changes to New Zealand’s labour migration policies. They include changes to the Skilled Migrant Category residence policy, and proposals for changes to the Essential Skills temporary work visa policy.
Future direction of the Immigration System: Overview [PDF, 1.8 MB]
Remuneration thresholds for Skilled Migrant Category [PDF, 3.8 MB]
Temporary visa settings [PDF, 7.6 MB]
South Island pathway to residence [PDF, 922 KB]
New Zealand Residence Programme
Published 25 January 2017
The information below relates to papers concerning changes to the New Zealand Residence Programme announced on 11 October 2016.
2016
The New Zealand Residence Programme
Published 14 October 2016
The information below relates to reports suggesting changes to the NZ Residence Programme.
Documents: New Zealand Residence Programme 2016-17 - 2017-2018 [PDF, 3.9 MB]
Advance Passenger Processing for outbound travellers
Published 18 August 2016
The information below relates to a report leading up to the introduction of Immigration Act 2009 amendments (introduced as part of the New Zealand Intelligence and Security Bill) regarding requirements on carriers to supply information on outbound travellers to enhance border security.
Briefing: Advanced Passenger Processing for outbound travellers [PDF, 3.8 MB]
The refugee quota
Published 2 August 2016
The information below relates to reports leading up to the Government’s announcement on 13 June 2016 to increase the annual refugee quota to 1,000 refugees from July 2018.
Cabinet Minute: Refugee Quota [PDF, 403 KB]
13 June 2016
Aide Memoire: Cabinet consideration of paper: The next three-year refugee quota programme [PDF, 2.1 MB]
10 June 2016
Aide Memoire: EGI consideration of paper: The next three-year refugee quota programme [PDF, 147 KB] [PDF 147KB]
7 June 2016
EGI paper considered [PDF, 3.1 MB]
3 June 2016
Briefing paper: Revised draft Cabinet paper [PDF, 291 KB]
31 May 2016
Aide Memoire: Updated changes to the draft Cabinet paper [PDF, 151 KB]
27 May 2016
Briefing paper: Draft Cabinet paper [PDF, 333 KB]
19 May 2016
Briefing paper: Proposed next three-year refugee quota [PDF, 974 KB]
18 April 2016
Memo: Information for the next three year refugee programme [PDF, 250 KB]
17 March 2016
Briefing paper: Proposed next three-year refugee and humanitarian programme [PDF, 987 KB]
7 March 2016
Briefing paper: UNHCR’s submission on the refugee quota [PDF, 281 KB]
7 March 2016
Briefing paper: Proposed approach to next three-year refugee programme [PDF, 974 KB]
1 March 2016
2015
The refugee quota
30 November 2015
Briefing paper: Next three-year Refugee Resettlement Programme - options [PDF, 1.9 MB]
Syrian refugees
Published 18 November 2015
EGI paper considered: Response to the Syrian Crisis [PDF, 117 KB]
Published 3 November 2015
The information below relates to reports leading up to the Government’s announcement on 7 September 2015 to welcome 750 Syrian refugees over the next 2 and a half years in response to the ongoing conflict in Syria.
Batch 1 [PDF, 2.8 MB]
Re-released 21 November 2016
Batch 2 [PDF, 1.3 MB]
Re-released 21 November 2016
Batch 3 [PDF, 2.9 MB]
Re-released 21 November 2016
Batch 7 [PDF, 4 MB]
Re-released 21 November 2016
Batch 8 [PDF, 2.3 MB]
Re-released 21 November 2016