Release of immigration information

We proactively release Cabinet papers and supporting advice on our policy work.

2024 

Documents relating to the future of the Skilled Migrant Category

Papers considered by Cabinet

Published January 2024
 

Supporting advice

Published January 2024

Supporting advice

Published July 2023

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

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

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
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

Documents relating to decisions on the 2021 Resident Visa


2019

Changes to temporary work visas (Accredited Employer Work Visa)

Papers considered by Cabinet

Published November 2019

A new approach to employer-assisted work visas and regional workforce planning: paper one - employer gateway system and related changes [PDF, 4.1 MB]

A new approach to employer-assisted work visas and regional workforce planning: paper one - employer gateway system and related changes - Minute of Decision [PDF, 520 KB]

A new approach to employer-assisted work visas and regional workforce planning: paper two - the job gateway [PDF, 3.5 MB]

A new approach to employer-assisted work visas and regional workforce planning: paper two - the job gateway - Minute of Decision [PDF, 500 KB]

Supporting advice

Regional Differentiation Framework [PDF, 844 KB]

Employer-Assisted Work Visa Reforms: Revised Draft Cabinet Paper and A3s for Ministerial Consultation [PDF, 1.1 MB]

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]

Further advice on defining skill level and defining cities under reforms to the employer-assisted work visa system [PDF, 392 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]

Summary of submissions: Consultation on employer-assisted work visas and regional workforce planning [PDF, 1.3 MB]

Slide pack: Final proposals for changes to the employer-assisted temporary work visa system [PDF, 737 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]

Draft Cabinet paper: Removal of the family link requirement for refugees resettled from the Africa and Middle East regions [PDF, 368 KB]

Final Cabinet paper: Removal of the family link requirement for refugees resettled from the Africa and Middle East regions [PDF, 963 KB]

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]

Draft Cabinet paper for consultation: Three-year Refugee Quota Programme 2019/20 to 2021/22 [PDF, 368 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]

Parent Resident Visa (Parent Category): proposed changes - Cabinet Economic Development Committee Minute of Decision – 18 September 2019 [PDF, 1.5 MB]

Options for Changes to the Parent Resident Visa (Parent Category) - 16 September 2019 [PDF, 2.3 MB]

Parent Resident Visa (Parent Category): proposed changes - Cabinet Minute of Decision – 16 September 2019 [PDF, 201 KB]

Changes to the Parent Resident Visa (Parent Category) – 12 December 2018 [PDF, 519 KB]

Parent Resident Visa (Parent Category): Proposed Changes - Minute of Decision – 12 December 2018 [PDF, 150 KB]

Supporting advice

Proposals to change the New Zealand Residence Programme Parent Category and update its requirements [PDF, 1.7 MB]

Draft Cabinet papers – Changes to the New Zealand Residence Programme and Parent Resident Visa (Parent Category) [PDF, 190 KB]

Final Draft Cabinet Paper New Zealand Residence Programme and Parent Category [PDF, 408 KB]

New Zealand Resident Programme and Parent Category – Talking Points for DEV Cabinet Committee [PDF, 1.8 MB]

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]

Striking the Balance - INZ Realignment - Final Decision Document-Appendix 1 - Summary of New and Disestablished Positions [PDF, 376 KB]

Striking the Balance - INZ Realignment - Final Decision Document-Appendix 2 - Confirmed Impacts to Current Groups [PDF, 624 KB]

Striking the Balance - INZ Realignment - Final Decision Document-Appendix 3 - Position Descriptions for Confirmed New Positions [PDF, 361 KB]

Striking the Balance - INZ Realignment - Final Decision Document-Appendix 4 - MBIE Change Process [PDF, 272 KB]

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

Final Cabinet paper: Immigration (Visa, Entry Permission, and Related Matters) Amendment Regulations 2019 [PDF, 4.2 MB]

Cabinet paper: Immigration (Visa, Entry Permission, and Related Matters) Amendment Regulations 2019 (and annex) [PDF, 433 KB]

Cabinet minute: Immigration (Visa, Entry Permission, and Related Matters) Amendment Regulations 2019 (and annex) - Minute of Decision [PDF, 196 KB]

Published May 2019

Briefing: House preparation material for the Immigration (International Visitor Conservation and Tourism Levy) Amendment Bill [PDF, 444 KB]

Briefing: House preparation material for the Immigration (International Visitor Conservation and Tourism Levy) Amendment Bill - part 2 [PDF, 157 KB]

Briefing: House preparation material for the Immigration (International Visitor Conservation and Tourism Levy) Amendment Bill - part 3 [PDF, 651 KB]

Briefing: Electronic Travel Authority: update on further policy work [PDF, 932 KB]

Briefing and draft Cabinet legislation paper: Regulation changes to enable the ETA and IVL [PDF, 9.8 MB]

Cabinet paper: Immigration (International Visitor Conservation and Tourism Levy) Amendment Bill – approval to introduce [PDF, 243 KB]

Cabinet minute: Immigration (International Visitor Conservation and Tourism Levy) Amendment Bill – approval to introduce [PDF, 167 KB]

Draft Cabinet Legislation paper: Immigration (International Visitor Conservation and Tourism Levy) Amendment Bill [PDF, 893 KB]

Electronic Travel Authority: minor and technical decisions for first Amendment regulations [PDF, 1.6 MB]

Published February to April 2019

Briefing: Revenue forecasts and appropriations for the IVL [PDF, 555 KB]

Briefing: Confirming policy decisions to complete drafting of the International Visitor Conservation and Tourism Levy [PDF, 1.4 MB]

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]

Economic Impact Analysis of the proposed International Visitor Levy and Electronic Travel Authority Fee on inbound tourism [PDF, 523 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]

Departmental briefing: Additional advice on spending the international visitor conservtion and tourism levy [PDF, 214 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]

Annex two - International Visitor Conservation and Tourism Levy regulatory impact statement [PDF, 144 KB]

Series of briefings and Cabinet papers February 2018 – February 2019

Briefings and Cabinet decision on design of an international visitor levy for consultation [PDF, 846 KB]

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]

Economic Impact Analysis of the proposed International Visitor Levy and Electronic Travel Authority Fee on inbound tourism [PDF, 523 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

Cabinet paper: A new approach to employer-assisted work visas and regional workforce planning [PDF, 658 KB]

Post-study work rights

Published 10 December 2018

Aide Memoire: Talking points for cabinet economic development committee Wednesday 1 August - Immigration settings for international students [PDF, 3.6 MB]

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]

Briefing: Proposed options to meet manifesto commitments regarding post-study and in study work rights [PDF, 3.4 MB]

Briefing: Report back on consultation on proposed changes to immigration settings for international students and final recommendations for change [PDF, 805 KB]

Cabinet paper: Consulting on proposed changes to post-study work rights and eligibility of students partners and their dependent children to work and study in New Zealand [PDF, 5.8 MB]

Cabinet paper: Report back on consultation on proposed changes to immigration settings for international students and recommended final proposals [PDF, 1.9 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

Final Cabinet paper - Proposed immigration work programme to improve Pacific migration policies [PDF, 7.4 MB]

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]

Increasing New Zealand's contribution to global humanitarian efforts: Update and next steps for refugee policy [PDF, 4 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

Cabinet paper [PDF, 107 KB]

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]

Cabinet Minute excerpt: Community Organisation Refugee Sponsorship Category (August 2017) [PDF, 477 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.

Cabinet paper [PDF, 2 MB]

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.

Part one [PDF, 8.8 MB]

Part two [PDF, 5.2 MB]

Part three [PDF, 12 MB]

 


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 4 [PDF, 1.5 MB]

Batch 5 [PDF, 1.9 MB]

Batch 6 [PDF, 1.7 MB]

Batch 7 [PDF, 4 MB]
Re-released 21 November 2016

Batch 8 [PDF, 2.3 MB]
Re-released 21 November 2016

Last updated: 16 January 2024