Immigration Act 1987 No 74 (as at 29 November 2010), Public Act

  • repealed
  • Immigration Act 1987: repealed, at 2 am on 29 November 2010, by section 404 of the Immigration Act 2009 (2009 No 51).

Reprint
as at 29 November 2010

Immigration Act 1987

Public Act1987 No 74
Date of assent21 April 1987
  • Immigration Act 1987: repealed, at 2 am on 29 November 2010, by section 404 of the Immigration Act 2009 (2009 No 51).


Note

Changes authorised by section 17C of the Acts and Regulations Publication Act 1989 have been made in this eprint.

A general outline of these changes is set out in the notes at the end of this eprint, together with other explanatory material about this eprint.

This Act is administered in the Department of Labour


Contents

Title

1 Short Title and commencement

2 Interpretation

3 Rights of New Zealand citizens protected

Part 1
Exemptions, visas, and permits

Basic rules

4 Requirement to hold permit, or exemption, to be in New Zealand

4A Immigration status of persons born in New Zealand on or after 1 January 2006

5 Requirements for undertaking employment in New Zealand

6 Requirements for undertaking course of study or training in New Zealand

7 Certain persons not eligible for exemption or permit

8 Grant of residence permit a matter of discretion

9 Grant of temporary permit a matter of discretion

9A Grant of limited purpose permit a matter of discretion

10 Grant of visa a matter of discretion

10A Issue of invitation to apply for residence a matter of discretion

Exemptions

11 Certain persons temporarily exempt from requirement to hold permit

12 Persons may be exempted from requirement to hold permit by regulations or special direction

13 Person ceasing to be exempt

Policy

13A Government immigration policy generally

13B Government residence policy

13BA Chief executive may give general instructions as to order and manner of processing applications for visas and permits

13BB Lapsing of applications for visas and permits

13C Immigration officers to comply with Government residence policy

Residence by invitation

13D Expressions of interest in residence

13E Invitation to apply for residence

Visas

14 Types of visa

14A Meaning and effect of visa

14B Residence visas

14C Returning residents' visas

14D Temporary visas

14DA Limited purpose visas

14E Transit visas

15 Issue and currency of visas [Repealed]

Residence permits

16 Effect of residence permit

17 Persons who may apply for residence permits

17A Applications for residence permits

18 Residence permit holders temporarily absent from New Zealand

18A Requirements may be imposed on grant of residence permit

Appeal against refusal to grant residence visa or residence permit

18B Residence Review Board

18C Appeals to Board against refusal of residence visa or permit

18D Determination of appeal by Board

18E Procedure where appeal successful or Board makes recommendation

18F Provisions applying to appeals

Revocation of residence permits and returning residents' visas

19 Revocation of residence permit by immigration officer

20 Revocation of residence permit by Minister

20A Revocation of returning resident's visa by Minister

21 Appeal to High Court against revocation of residence permit on ground that decision erroneous

22 Appeal on humanitarian grounds to Tribunal against revocation of residence permit

23 Procedure following bringing or determination of appeal

Temporary permits

24 Types of temporary permits

25 Applications for temporary permits

26 Currency of temporary permits

27 Temporary permits to be subject to conditions

27A Temporary permits granted for purposes of Mutual Assistance in Criminal Matters Act 1992

28 Minister may require applicant for temporary permit to have sponsor

29 Change of temporary permit

30 Further temporary permit

31 Reconsideration where application for another temporary permit is declined

32 Revocation of temporary permit by immigration officer

33 Revocation of temporary permit by Minister

33A Revocation of temporary permit granted for purposes of Mutual Assistance in Criminal Matters Act 1992

34 Holder of temporary permit not to remain in New Zealand after expiry of permit

Limited purpose permits

34A Limited purpose permits

34B Applications for limited purpose permits

34C Currency of limited purpose permit

34D Limitations and conditions on holders of limited purpose permits

34E Application of certain temporary permit provisions to limited purpose permits

34F Consequences of remaining in New Zealand after expiry of limited purpose permit

General provisions

34G Obligation to inform all relevant facts, including changed circumstances

35 Grant of permits

35A Grant of permit in special case

35AB Visas and permits may be issued or granted electronically

35AC Deemed extension of certain permits expiring during epidemic

Special provisions applying to pre-cleared permits

35B Pre-cleared permits

35C Minister may designate pre-clearance flights

35D Applications for pre-cleared permits

35E Grant of pre-cleared permit

35F Revocation of pre-cleared permit by immigration officer

35G Expiry of pre-cleared permit in certain circumstances

35H Responsibilities of carrier in relation to pre-clearance flights

35I Pre-cleared permit holders not required to undergo immigration procedures on arrival in New Zealand

36 Reasons for refusal to grant permit to be given in writing where requested

37 Applicant for permit to specify address for service

38 Evidence of permit or exemption to be retained

39 Responsibility of employers

39A Exploitation of people not legally entitled to work

40 Responsibility of persons conducting courses of study or training

41 Permit or exemption deemed to have expired on departure from New Zealand

Transitional provisions

42 Certain persons in New Zealand at commencement of this Act may apply for permit [Repealed]

43 Applications for certain permits pending at commencement of this Act [Repealed]

44 General transitional provisions

Part 2
Persons in New Zealand unlawfully

Obligation of persons unlawfully in New Zealand to leave

45 Obligation of persons unlawfully in New Zealand to leave New Zealand

46 Duty of chief executive to communicate obligation to leave New Zealand

Appeal against requirement to leave, etc

47 Appeal against requirement to leave New Zealand

48 How to appeal

49 Removal Review Authority

50 Procedure in appeals

51 Decision on appeal

52 Where appeal allowed

52A Cancellation of removal order by immigration officer [Repealed]

Liability for removal

53 Liability for removal

54 Making of removal orders

54A Removal orders where temporary permit granted for purposes of Mutual Assistance in Criminal Matters Act 1992 [Repealed]

55 Content and effect of removal order

56 Service of removal order

57 Currency of removal order once served

58 Cancellation of removal order

59 Execution of removal order

60 Release or extended detention if craft unavailable, etc, within 72-hour period

61 Release from prison into immigration detention

62 Form of custody

63 Removal where temporary permit granted for purposes of Mutual Assistance in Criminal Matters Act 1992

63A Appeal to Removal Review Authority on facts [Repealed]

63B Appeal to Removal Review Authority on humanitarian grounds [Repealed]

63C Procedure in appeals on facts [Repealed]

63D Procedure in appeals on humanitarian grounds [Repealed]

63E Cancellation of removal order [Repealed]

Powers of immigration officers in relation to persons suspected of being in New Zealand unlawfully

64 Power to require production of certain information by departments of State and other bodies

65 Power to require surrender of documents from suspected person [Repealed]

66 Power to require surrender of documents from third party

67 Use and return of surrendered material

Transitional provisions

68 Matters may be completed under former Part 2

69 Existing removal orders

70 Persons unlawfully in New Zealand as at 1 October 1999

71 Transitional provisions [Repealed]

Part 3
Deportation of persons threatening national security, and suspected terrorists

72 Persons threatening national security

73 Suspected terrorists

74 Certain matters to be specified in deportation order

75 Suspect may be arrested pending making of deportation order

76 Currency of deportation order

77 Service of deportation order

78 Arrest of person subject to deportation order

79 Powers of District Court Judge in relation to persons in custody

80 Form of custody

81 Appeal to High Court against deportation order

82 Powers of Judge to protect security

83 Deportation order not to be executed pending appeal, etc

84 Procedure where appeal successful

85 Execution of deportation order where deportee in custody pursuant to warrant of commitment

86 Execution of deportation order where deportee serving sentence in prison

87 Execution of deportation order where deportee not in custody

88 Permit deemed cancelled where holder deported

Transitional provisions

89 Deportation orders made by Minister under previous Act

90 Persons ordered to leave New Zealand pursuant to Order in Council under previous Act

Part 4
Deportation of criminal offenders

91 Deportation of holders of residence permits following conviction

92 Deportation of exempt persons following conviction

93 No deportation order after certain lapse of time

93A Right of victims to make submissions on making of deportation order

94 Certain matters to be specified in deportation order

95 Currency of deportation order

96 Service of deportation order

97 Arrest of person subject to deportation order

98 Person not in custody may be subject to residence and reporting requirements pending deportation

99 Powers of District Court Judge in relation to deportee in custody

100 Persons detained pursuant to warrant of commitment

101 Persons not detained pursuant to warrant of commitment to be released on conditions pending deportation

102 Form of custody

103 Deportation Review Tribunal

104 Appeals to Tribunal against deportation orders

105 Tribunal may quash deportation order

105A Right of victims to make submissions on appeal

106 Deportation order not to be executed pending appeal, etc

107 Procedure where appeal successful

108 Execution of deportation order where deportee in custody pursuant to warrant of commitment

109 Execution of deportation order where deportee serving sentence in prison

110 Execution of deportation order where deportee not in custody

111 Permit deemed cancelled where holder deported

Transitional provisions

112 Deportation order not to be made in certain cases

113 Deportation orders made under previous Act

114 Members of Deportation Review Tribunal

Part 4A
Special procedures in cases involving security concerns

114A Object of Part

114B Definitions

114C Relevant security criteria

114D Director of Security may provide Minister with security risk certificate

114E Minister may require oral briefing from Director on contents of certificate

114F Effect of certificate

114G Effect where Minister makes preliminary decision to rely on certificate

114H Rights of person in respect of whom security risk certificate given and relied on

114I Review of certificate

114J Result of review

114K Effect of confirmation of certificate, or failure to seek review

114L Resumption of normal immigration processes where certificate not confirmed on review, or certificate or Ministerial notice withdrawn

114M Withdrawal of security risk certificate by Director

114N Minister may withdraw notice, or decline to use certificate

114O Warrant of commitment in security cases

114P Appeal on point of law from decision of Inspector-General

114Q Prohibition on removal or deportation of refugee status claimant

114R Minister to report annually on cases under this Part

Part 5
Appeals

From the Residence Review Board and the Removal Review Authority

115 Appeal against decision of Residence Review Board on question of law

115A Appeal against decision of Removal Review Authority on question of law

116 Appeal to Court of Appeal by leave

From the Tribunal

117 Right of appeal

118 Notice of appeal

119 Right to appear and be heard on appeals

120 Orders relating to determination of appeals

121 Dismissal of appeal

122 Appeal in respect of additional points of law

123 Extension of time

124 Date of hearing

Part 6
Arrivals and departures

125AA Responsibilities of carrier, and person in charge, of commercial craft before it departs from another country to travel to New Zealand

125AB Chief executive may make decision about person boarding craft for purpose of travelling to New Zealand

125AC Offences relating to non-compliance with decision made by chief executive under section 125AB

125AD Person to whom section 125AA applies must provide further information if requested, and must provide access to further information

125AE Offence relating to failure to provide information, or failure to provide access to information, under section 125AD

125 Responsibilities of carrier and person in charge of any craft en route to New Zealand

126 Responsibilities of persons arriving in or leaving New Zealand

126A Responsibilities of internationally ticketed passengers travelling by air within New Zealand

126B Responsibilities of domestic passengers travelling by air within New Zealand

127 Special provisions relating to persons returning to New Zealand in emergency or other circumstances beyond their control

128 Detention and departure of persons refused permits, etc

128AA Detained person may be conditionally released from detention in certain cases

128AB Conditions

128AC Breach of condition or failure to deliver oneself up to immigration officer

128AD Cancellation of order for conditional release

128A Procedure under section 128 if review proceedings, etc, brought

128B Detention of persons whose eligibility for permit is not immediately ascertainable

129 Transit passengers

Part 6A
Refugee determinations

129A Object of this Part

129B Definitions

129C Refugee status to be determined under this Part

129D Refugee Convention to apply

Claims for refugee status

129E Claim to be determined by refugee status officer

129F Functions of officers considering claims

129G How claim made and handled

129H Powers of refugee status officers

129I Decisions on claims

129J Limitation on subsequent claims for refugee status

129K Claim not to be accepted from holder of residence permit or New Zealand citizen

Additional functions of refugee status officers in relation to continuation, etc, of refugee status

129L Additional functions of refugee status officers

129M Procedures to be followed in carrying out additional functions

Appeals to Refugee Status Appeals Authority

129N Refugee Status Appeals Authority

129O Appeals to Refugee Status Appeals Authority

129P Procedure on appeal

129Q Decisions of Authority

Functions of Authority otherwise than on appeals

129R Functions of Authority in relation to continuation, etc, of refugee status

129S Procedures to be followed in carrying out non-appellate functions

General provisions relating to claims, etc

129T Confidentiality to be maintained

129U Special provision relating to refugee status claimants granted temporary permits

129V Effect of claimant leaving New Zealand

129W Immigration matters not within functions of refugee status officers and Authority

129X Prohibition on removal or deportation of refugee or refugee status claimant

129Y Regulations

Claims and appeals completed before 1 October 1999

129Z Completed claims and appeals may not be challenged

Transitional provisions

129ZA Uncompleted claims and appeals

129ZB Continuation of membership of Refugee Status Appeals Authority

Part 7
Miscellaneous provisions

129ZC During epidemic courts may deal with certain matters on basis of documents only

129ZD Modification during epidemic of requirements to bring people before court

129ZE During epidemic certain warrants and extensions to have effect for 28 days

129ZF Application of section 128AB during epidemic

129ZG Calculation of consecutive period of detention for purposes of section 60(7)

130 Special directions

131 Delegation of powers of Minister

132 Minister may approve forms

133 Immigration officers

133A Designation of officers, etc, by chief executive

134 Arrests by members of Police

135 Member of Police may seek assistance

136 Powers of immigration officer to require information and production of documents where offence suspected

137 Powers of entry and search

138 Powers of entry and inspection

138A Power to require surrender of documents from suspected person

139 Police to have powers of immigration officers

140 Special provisions relating to custody

140A Additional provisions relating to custody in approved premises

141 Special powers of member of Police pending removal or deportation

141AA Disclosure of information overseas

141AB Information that may be disclosed

141AC Disclosure of immigration information for Corrections purposes

141AD Interpretation

141AE Disclosure of immigration information for fines enforcement purposes

141AF No Crown liability to third parties for fines enforcement action

141AG Chief executive of Department of Labour may supply information concerning specified fines defaulters to commercial carriers

141A Disclosure of immigration information

141ABA Disclosure of information to employers

141B Children to have responsible adult to represent their interests, etc

141C Role and rights of responsible adult

141D Views of minor to be considered

142 Offences

143 Evidence in proceedings

144 General penalty for offences

145 Procedural provisions relating to offences

146 Service of notices, etc

146A Special provisions relating to judicial review of decisions under this Act

147 Administration of Act

148 Costs of removal, deportation, or repatriation

148A Fees

148B Bonds

148C Other charges

149 Exemptions and refunds

149A Immigrant Resettlement and Research Fund

149B Migrant levy

149C Purpose of section 149D

149D Relationship between this Act and Human Rights Act 1993

150 Regulations

151 Amendments and repeals

Schedule 1
Departments and bodies from whom information may be required

Schedule 2
Provisions relating to Deportation Review Tribunal

Schedule 3
Procedural provisions

Schedule 3A
Provisions relating to Residence Review Board

Schedule 3B
Provisions relating to Removal Review Authority

Schedule 3C
Provisions relating to Refugee Status Appeals Authority

Schedule 4
Enactments amended

Schedule 5
Enactments repealed

Schedule 6
Convention relating to the status of refugees


An Act generally to reform the law relating to immigration, and in particular to remove the need for persons who are in New Zealand unlawfully to be dealt with by way of criminal prosecution

1 Short Title and commencement
  • (1) This Act may be cited as the Immigration Act 1987.

    (2) This Act shall come into force on a date to be fixed by the Governor-General by Order in Council.

    This Act was brought into force on 1 November 1987 pursuant to regulation 2 of the Immigration Act Commencement Order 1987 (SR 1987/300).

2 Interpretation
  • (1) In this Act, unless the context otherwise requires,—

    act of terrorism means—

    • (a) any act that involves the taking of human life, or threatening to take human life, or the wilful or reckless endangering of human life, carried out for the purpose of furthering an ideological aim; or

    • (b) any act involving any explosive or incendiary device causing or likely to cause the destruction of, or serious damage to, any premises, building, installation, vehicle, or property of a kind referred to in any of sections 298 to 304, except subsection (3) of section 298, of the Crimes Act 1961, carried out for the purpose of furthering an ideological aim; or

    • (c) any act that constitutes, or that would, if committed in New Zealand, constitute, a crime against section 79 of the Crimes Act 1961, carried out for the purpose of furthering an ideological aim; or

    and includes the planning of any such act

    allow to undertake, in relation to a course of study or training, includes accept for enrolment in that course

    arrival hall means a place licensed under section 12 of the Customs and Excise Act 1996 for the processing of persons arriving in New Zealand

    Authority means, as the case may require,—

    • (a) [Repealed]

    • (b)  the Removal Review Authority referred to in section 49; or

    • (c) the Refugee Status Appeals Authority referred to in section 129N

    Board means the Residence Review Board referred to in section 18B.

    carrier, in relation to a craft, means the owner or charterer of the craft; and, where the owner or charterer is not in New Zealand, includes the agent in New Zealand of the owner or charterer or, if there is no such agent in New Zealand, the person in charge

    certificate of identity means a document (other than a passport) issued by the Government of any country to any person for the purposes of facilitating that person's entry into or exit from any country, being a document that purports to establish the identity but not the nationality of that person and that confers on that person the right to enter the country the Government of which has issued the document; and includes any other document in a form approved for the purpose by the Minister; and also includes any travel document issued by any international organisation for the time being specified by the Minister, by notice in the Gazette, as an organisation whose travel documents will be accepted for the purposes of this Act as certificates of identity

    chief executive means the chief executive of the Department of Labour

    claim, and claimant, in relation to a claim to be recognised as a refugee, have the meanings given by section 129B

    conditions includes conditions precedent as well as conditions subsequent

    contiguous zone has the meaning given to it by section 8A(2) of the Territorial Sea, Contiguous Zone, and Exclusive Economic Zone Act 1977

    course of study or training means any course of tuition or instruction for people entitled to free enrolment and education under section 3 of the Education Act 1989, conducted by any primary, intermediate, composite, secondary, or special school, whether State, private, or integrated; and includes any other course of tuition or instruction conducted by any school, college, institute, university, or other body or person, and leading to any educational or vocational qualification the attainment of which by any person would be likely to enhance the employment prospects of that person, either generally or in respect of any particular profession or occupation; and, in relation to any particular person, also includes any other course of tuition or instruction if the undertaking of that course is the principal reason why that person wishes to be or is in New Zealand

    craft means any form of aircraft, ship, or other vehicle or vessel capable of being used to transport any person to or from New Zealand from or to any country outside New Zealand

    crew, in relation to a craft, means every person employed or engaged in working the craft or in providing any services in or on the craft; and includes the person in charge

    Customs airport means an aerodrome designated as a Customs airport under section 9 of the Customs and Excise Act 1996

    Customs controlled area has the meaning given to it by section 2(1) of the Customs and Excise Act 1996

    Customs officer has the meaning given to it by section 2(1) of the Customs and Excise Act 1996

    Customs place means a Customs port or Customs airport under section 9 of the Customs and Excise Act 1996

    Customs port means a port of entry designated as a Customs port under section 9 of the Customs and Excise Act 1996

    departure hall means a place licensed under section 12 of the Customs and Excise Act 1996 for the processing of persons departing from New Zealand

    dependent child, in relation to any person, means a child under 17 years of age who is not married or in a civil union and who is dependent on that person, whether or not the child is a child of that person

    deportation order means a deportation order made under section 72 or section 73 or section 91 or section 92 of this Act

    disembarkation means the process of physically leaving a craft, whether onto land or otherwise

    domestic passenger means a passenger, not being an internationally ticketed passenger, who has an entitlement to air travel for a domestic sector on either—

    • (a) an aircraft that—

      • (i) begins its journey outside New Zealand; and

      • (ii) in the course of that journey, enters New Zealand and travels between at least 2 Customs airports in New Zealand; or

    • (b) an aircraft that—

      • (i) begins its journey at a Customs airport in New Zealand; and

      • (ii) in the course of that journey, travels to at least 1 other Customs airport in New Zealand before leaving New Zealand

    domestic sector means a journey from one customs airport to another within New Zealand

    employment means any activity undertaken for gain or reward; but does not include—

    • (a) representation on an official trade mission recognised by the Government of New Zealand:

    • (b) employment as a sales representative in New Zealand of an overseas company for a period or periods not exceeding in the aggregate 3 months in any calendar year:

    • (c) activity in New Zealand as an overseas buyer of New Zealand goods or services for a period or periods not exceeding in the aggregate 3 months in any calendar year:

    • (d) official business in the service of the Government of any country, or of any inter-governmental or international organisation that is for the time being entitled to any privileges and immunities by or under the Diplomatic Privileges and Immunities Act 1968:

    • (e) business consultations or negotiations in New Zealand concerning the establishment, expansion, or winding up of any business enterprise in New Zealand or any matter relating thereto, for a period or periods not exceeding in the aggregate 3 months in any calendar year, by any person engaged in business overseas or by the directors, executives, or other authorised representatives of any overseas company or body with any person engaged in business in New Zealand, or with the directors, executives, or other authorised representatives of any company or body carrying on business in New Zealand, or with the Government of New Zealand or any of its agencies, or with any local authority or other public body:

    • (f) study or training pursuant to a scholarship or other award recognised by the Minister, by notice in the Gazette, for the purposes of this Act

    epidemic management notice means a notice under section 8(1) of the Epidemic Preparedness Act 2006 stating that the application of this Act is modified in order to deal with the practical effects of the outbreak of the disease referred to in the notice

    exclusive economic zone of New Zealand has the same meaning as in the Territorial Sea and Exclusive Economic Zone Act 1977

    execute,—

    • (a) in relation to a removal order, means take the person to whom the order applies into custody and place that person on board a craft for the purpose of effecting that person's removal from New Zealand, in accordance with section 59:

    • (b) in relation to a deportation order, means take the person to whom the order applies into custody and place that person on board a craft for the purpose of effecting that person's deportation from New Zealand, in accordance with section 85 or section 86 or section 87 or section 108 or section 109 or section 110 of this Act

    exemption means an exemption under section 11 or section 12 of this Act from the requirement to hold a permit; and exempt has a corresponding meaning

    Government residence policy has the meaning ascribed to that term by section 13B of this Act

    holder, in relation to a visa or permit issued or granted under this Act, means the person in respect of whom the visa or permit is issued or granted for so long as the visa or permit is current; and, in the case of a visa or permit issued or granted in respect of more than 1 person, includes each of those persons; and to hold has a corresponding meaning

    immigration officer,—

    • (a) in every Part of this Act, means the Secretary of Labour and every other officer of the Department of Labour designated by the Secretary as an immigration officer under section 133 of this Act; and

    • (b) in Parts 1 and 6 and sections 127, 130, 131, 136, 142, and 143 of this Act, includes any customs officer designated by the Secretary of Labour as an immigration officer, whether individually or by class or position; and

    • (c) in Parts 1 and 6 and sections 130, 131, 142, and 143 of this Act, includes any person who—

      • (i) is in the service of the Government of another country; or

      • (ii) acts as an agent for the Government of New Zealand for pre-clearance purposes,—

      and who is designated by the Secretary of Labour as an immigration officer, whether individually or by class or position

    imprisonment means any form of detention or custody whereby an offender is deprived of liberty for a continuous period, including detention or custody in a psychiatric institution or hospital, and military custody; but does not include detention or custody under this Act

    internal waters of New Zealand has the same meaning as in the Territorial Sea and Exclusive Economic Zone Act 1977

    internationally ticketed passenger means a person who has an entitlement to air travel for a domestic sector, the entitlement being included in tickets for an international journey which—

    • (a) began outside New Zealand; or

    • (b) began inside New Zealand and is to continue outside New Zealand

    invitation to apply for residence has the meaning and effect described in section 13E(1) and (2)

    leave New Zealand means, except in the circumstances specified in subsection (3) of this section, leave New Zealand for a destination in another country

    Minister means the Minister of Immigration, and includes, in relation to the exercise or performance of any power or function of the Minister, any person for the time being authorised in accordance with section 131 of this Act to exercise or perform that power or function

    New Zealand means any land territory within the territorial limits of New Zealand; and includes—

    • (a) the internal waters of New Zealand; and

    • (b) the Ross Dependency (including any ice shelf); and

    • (d) for the purposes of section 137(2)(aa) of this Act, the area of sea adjacent to New Zealand and bounded by the outer limits of the contiguous zone of New Zealand

    New Zealand address,—

    • (a) in relation to a permit holder, means the last known of the following addresses:

      • (i) the address for the time being nominated by that holder under section 37:

      • (ii) where applicable, that person's New Zealand address within the meaning of paragraph (e):

    • (b) in relation to a person who is subject to any residence requirement in accordance with section 98, means the last known of the following addresses:

      • (i) the address at which the person has currently agreed to reside under that section:

      • (ii) where applicable, that person's New Zealand address within the meaning of paragraph (e) or paragraph (f):

    • (c) in relation to a person who is subject to any residence condition imposed in accordance with section 60(5) (or the previous section 54 or section 57) or section 79 or section 101, means the last known of the following addresses:

      • (i) the current address specified under any of those sections:

      • (ii) where applicable, that person's New Zealand address within the meaning of paragraph (e) or paragraph (f) or paragraph (h):

    • (d) in relation to a person who is in custody pursuant to a warrant of commitment issued under this Act, means—

      • (i) the place where that person is held in custody:

      • (ii) where applicable, that person's New Zealand address within the meaning of paragraph (e):

    • (e) in relation to a person under 17 years of age who is not married or in a civil union named in a removal order or a deportation order, means—

      • (i) where that person is named as a dependent child of another person named in the order, the New Zealand address of that other person:

      • (ii) where a responsible adult has been determined or nominated under section 141B (or the previous section 60) to represent the interests of that person, the latest address supplied by that adult under section 141B(6) (or the previous section 60(6)):

    • (f) in relation to a person who has appealed to the Deportation Review Tribunal under section 22 or section 104, means—

      • (ii) where applicable, that person's New Zealand address within the meaning of paragraph (e):

    • (g) in relation to a person who has appealed to the Residence Review Board under section 18C, means—

      • (i) the address supplied to the Board under subsection (5) of that section (whether or not that address is in New Zealand):

      • (ii) where applicable, that person's New Zealand address within the meaning of paragraph (e):

    • (h) in relation to a person who has appealed to the Removal Review Authority under Part 2, means—

      • (ii) where applicable, that person's New Zealand address within the meaning of paragraph (e)

    passenger, in relation to a craft, means a person, other than a member of the crew, who is carried in or on the craft with the consent of the carrier or the person in charge

    passport means a document that is issued by or on behalf of the Government of any country, being a document that purports to establish the identity and nationality of the holder and that confers on the holder the right to enter the country the Government of which has issued the document

    permit means a permit granted under this Act; and includes a residence permit and any type of temporary permit, pre-cleared permit, or limited purpose permit

    person conducting the course of study or training,—

    • (a) [Repealed]

    • (b) in relation to any institution controlled by a Board of Trustees constituted under Part 9 of the Education Act 1989, means that board:

    • (c) in relation to any institution controlled by the chief executive of the Ministry of Education, means the chief executive:

    • (d) in relation to any university, or any college of education controlled by a council, means the appropriate university or college of education:

    • (e) in any other case, means the institution, body, or person which or who is entitled to the fees payable by or on behalf of the persons undertaking the course, or which or who would be so entitled if any such fees were payable

    personal service, in relation to any document or notice served or to be served on a person, means personal delivery of the document or notice to that person or, where the person refuses to accept the document or notice, the bringing of the document or notice to that person's attention

    person in charge, in relation to a craft, means the master, captain, pilot in command, driver, or other person for the time being responsible for the craft

    pre-clearance means the process relating to the application for and granting of pre-cleared permits and includes all functions and activities incidental thereto, including the revocation of pre-cleared permits

    pre-clearance flight means any flight that the Minister designates as a pre-clearance flight under section 35C of this Act

    Pre-cleared permit means a pre-cleared permit within the meaning of section 35B(1) of this Act

    Refugee Convention means the United Nations Convention Relating to the Status of Refugees, done at Geneva on the 28th day of July 1951; and includes the Protocol Relating to the Status of Refugees done at New York on the 31st day of January 1967

    refugee status claimant has the meaning given by section 129B

    refugee status officer has the meaning given by section 129B

    registered post includes any service that provides a system of recorded delivery and is similar in nature to the registered post service provided by New Zealand Post

    removal order means a removal order made under section 54 and, for the purposes of serving or executing any such order, includes any copy thereof; and also includes a removal warrant issued under this Act whether before or after the commencement of the Immigration Amendment Act 1991

    returning resident's visa means a visa issued for the purposes of section 18 of this Act

    review proceedings means proceedings—

    • (b) by way of an application for certiorari, mandamus, or prohibition; or

    • (c) by way of an application for a declaratory judgment

    special direction means a direction given by the Minister in accordance with section 130(1) of this Act and relating to any matter for which a special direction is contemplated by any of the provisions of this Act or of any regulations made under this Act

    subsequent claim, for the purposes of Part 6A, has the meaning given by section 129B

    territorial sea of New Zealand has the same meaning as in the Territorial Sea and Exclusive Economic Zone Act 1977

    transit passenger means a person who—

    • (a) arrives in New Zealand from another country while in transit to another overseas destination; and

    • (b) throughout the whole period during which the person is in New Zealand, remains on board the craft, or in a Customs controlled area, or in the custody of the Police

    Tribunal means the Deportation Review Tribunal referred to in section 103 of this Act

    visa has the meaning and effect described in section 14A of this Act, and includes any visa of a type specified in section 14 of this Act

    visa officer includes—

    • (a) any immigration officer employed in the Department of Labour:

    • (b) any—

      • (ii) other member of the staff (including locally engaged staff) of a New Zealand overseas mission or New Zealand overseas post who is authorised from time to time by the head of mission or head of post to exercise consular functions; or

      • (iii) other member of the staff (including locally engaged staff) of an overseas branch office of the Department of Labour,—

      who is designated by the Secretary of Labour as a visa officer, whether individually or by class or position:

    • (c) any other person, including a person employed in the service of the Government of another country, who acts as an agent for the Government of New Zealand in the performance of consular functions, either pursuant to an agreement between the Government of another country and the Government of New Zealand or pursuant to a request by a visa officer employed in the service of the Government of New Zealand.

    Section 2(1) act of terrorism paragraph (d): amended, on 18 October 2002, by section 78 of the Terrorism Suppression Act 2002 (2002 No 34).

    Section 2(1) act of terrorism paragraph (d) of this definition was amended, as from 22 June 2005, by section 7 Terrorism Suppression Amendment Act 2005 (2005 No 83) by substituting section 8(1) or (2A) for section 8(1).

    Section 2(1) arrival hall: inserted, on 1 October 1996, by section 289(1) of the Customs and Excise Act 1996 (1996 No 27).

    Section 2(1) Authority: inserted, on 18 November 1991, by section 2(1) of the Immigration Amendment Act 1991 (1991 No 113).

    Section 2(1) Authority: substituted, on 1 October 1999, by section 2(1) of the Immigration Amendment Act 1999 (1999 No 16).

    Section 2(1) Authority paragraph (a): repealed, on 9 September 2003, by section 4(1) of the Immigration Amendment Act (No 2) 2003 (2003 No 47).

    Section 2(1) Board: inserted, on 9 September 2003, by section 4(2) of the Immigration Amendment Act (No 2) 2003 (2003 No 47).

    Section 2(1) boarding station: substituted, on 21 March 1993, by section 7(1) of the Air Facilitation Act 1993 (1993 No 6).

    Section 2(1) boarding station: repealed, on 1 October 1996, by section 289(1) of the Customs and Excise Act 1996 (1996 No 27).

    Section 2(1) Chief executive: inserted, on 1 October 1999, by section 2(2) of the Immigration Amendment Act 1999 (1999 No 16).

    Section 2(1) claim, and claimant: inserted, on 1 October 1999, by section 2(2) of the Immigration Amendment Act 1999 (1999 No 16).

    Section 2(1) contiguous zone: inserted, on 18 June 2002, by section 3 of the Immigration Amendment Act 2002 (2002 No 22).

    Section 2(1) course of study or training: amended, on 1 January 1990, by section 4(2)(a) of the Education Amendment Act 1989 (1989 No 156).

    Section 2(1) Customs airport: substituted, on 1 October 1996, by section 289(1) of the Customs and Excise Act 1996 (1996 No 27).

    Section 2(1) Customs controlled area: inserted, on 1 October 1996, by section 289(1) of the Customs and Excise Act 1996 (1996 No 27).

    Section 2(1) Customs officer: repealed, on 1 October 1996, by section 289(1) of the Customs and Excise Act 1996 (1996 No 27).

    Section 2(1) Customs place: inserted, on 1 October 1996, by section 289(1) of the Customs and Excise Act 1996 (1996 No 27).

    Section 2(1) Customs port: inserted, on 1 October 1996, by section 289(1) of the Customs and Excise Act 1996 (1996 No 27).

    Section 2(1) departure hall: inserted, on 1 October 1996, by section 289(1) of the Customs and Excise Act 1996 (1996 No 27).

    Section 2(1) dependent child: amended, on 26 April 2005, by section 7 of the Relationships (Statutory References) Act 2005 (2005 No 3).

    Section 2(1) domestic passenger: inserted, on 1 November 1994, by section 11(1) of the Air Facilitation (Domestic Passengers and Cargo) Act 1994 (1994 No 100).

    Section 2(1) domestic sector: inserted, on 21 March 1993, by section 7(2) of the Air Facilitation Act 1993 (1993 No 6).

    Section 2(1) epidemic management notice: inserted, on 19 December 2006, by section 4 of the Immigration Amendment Act (No 2) 2006 (2006 No 87).

    Section 2(1) examination station: substituted, on 21 March 1993, by section 7(3) of the Air Facilitation Act 1993 (1993 No 6).

    Section 2(1) examination station: repealed, on 1 October 1996, by section 289(1) of the Customs and Excise Act 1996 (1996 No 27).

    Section 2(1) execute: amended, on 1 October 1999, by section 2(3) of the Immigration Amendment Act 1999 (1999 No 16).

    Section 2(1) execute paragraph (a): amended, on 18 November 1991, by section 2(2) of the Immigration Amendment Act 1991 (1991 No 113).

    Section 2(1) Government residence policy: inserted, on 18 November 1991, by section 2(3) of the Immigration Amendment Act 1991 (1991 No 113).

    Section 2(1) Immigration officer paragraph (b): substituted, on 18 November 1991, by section 2(4) of the Immigration Amendment Act 1991 (1991 No 113).

    Section 2(1) Immigration officer: substituted, on 15 September 1993, by section 3(1) of the Immigration Amendment Act 1993 (1993 No 100).

    Section 2(1) internationally ticketed passenger: inserted, on 21 March 1993, by section 7(4) of the Air Facilitation Act 1993 (1993 No 6).

    Section 2(1) internationally ticketed passenger: amended, on 1 November 1994, by section 11(2) of the Air Facilitation (Domestic Passengers and Cargo) Act 1994 (1994 No 100).

    Section 2(1) invitation to apply for residence: inserted, on 9 September 2003, by section 4(3) of the Immigration Amendment Act (No 2) 2003 (2003 No 47).

    Section 2(1) New Zealand paragraph (c): amended, on 1 August 1996, by section 2 of the Immigration Amendment Act 1996 (1996 No 75).

    Section 2(1) New Zealand: paragraph (d): inserted, on 1 August 1996, by section 2 of the Immigration Amendment Act 1996 (1996 No 75).

    Section 2(1) New Zealand address: substituted, on 18 November 1991, by section 2(5) of the Immigration Amendment Act 1991 (1991 No 113).

    Section 2(1) New Zealand address: substituted, on 1 October 1999, by section 2(4) of the Immigration Amendment Act 1999 (1999 No 16).

    Section 2(1) New Zealand address paragraph (e): amended, on 26 April 2005, by section 7 of the Relationships (Statutory References) Act 2005 (2005 No 3).

    Section 2(1) New Zealand address paragraph (g): amended, on 9 September 2003, by section 12(2) of the Immigration Amendment Act (No 2) 2003 (2003 No 47).

    Section 2(1) New Zealand address paragraph (g)(i): amended, on 9 September 2003, by section 12(2) of the Immigration Amendment Act (No 2) 2003 (2003 No 47).

    Section 2(1) permit: amended, on 15 September 1993, by section 3(2) of the Immigration Amendment Act 1993 (1993 No 100).

    Section 2(1) permit: substituted, on 1 October 1999, by section 2(5) of the Immigration Amendment Act 1999 (1999 No 16).

    Section 2(1) person conducting the course of study or training paragraph (a): repealed, on 1 January 1990, by section 4(2)(b) of the Education Amendment Act 1989 (1989 No 156).

    Section 2(1) person conducting the course of study or training paragraph (b): amended, on 1 January 1990, by section 4(2)(c) of the Education Amendment Act 1989 (1989 No 156).

    Section 2(1) person conducting the course of study or training paragraph (c): amended, on 1 January 1990, by section 4(2)(d) of the Education Amendment Act 1989 (1989 No 156).

    Section 2(1) person conducting the course of study or training the words “college of education” in paragraph (d): substituted for “teachers college” pursuant to section 162(1)(b)of the Education Act 1989 (1989 No 80).

    Section 2(1) Port of entry: omitted, on 1 October 1996, by section 289(1) of the Customs and Excise Act 1996 (1996 No 27).

    Section 2(1) pre-clearance: inserted, on 15 September 1993, by section 3(3) of the Immigration Amendment Act 1993 (1993 No 100).

    Section 2(1) pre-clearance flight: inserted, on 15 September 1993, by section 3(3) of the Immigration Amendment Act 1993 (1993 No 100).

    Section 2(1) pre-cleared permit: inserted, on 15 September 1993, by section 3(3) of the Immigration Amendment Act 1993 (1993 No 100).

    Section 2(1) refugee status claimant: inserted, on 1 October 1999, by section 2(6) of the Immigration Amendment Act 1999 (1999 No 16).

    Section 2(1) refugee status officer: inserted, on 1 October 1999, by section 2(6) of the Immigration Amendment Act 1999 (1999 No 16).

    Section 2(1) registered post: inserted, on 18 November 1991, by section 2(6) of the Immigration Amendment Act 1991 (1991 No 113).

    Section 2(1) removal order: inserted, on 18 November 1991, by section 2(6) of the Immigration Amendment Act 1991 (1991 No 113).

    Section 2(1) removal order: amended, on 1 October 1999, by section 2(7) of the Immigration Amendment Act 1999 (1999 No 16).

    Section 2(1) removal warrant: repealed, on 18 November 1991, by section 2(7) of the Immigration Amendment Act 1991 (1991 No 113).

    Section 2(1) subsequent claim: inserted, on 1 October 1999, by section 2(8) of the Immigration Amendment Act 1999 (1999 No 16).

    Section 2(1) transit passenger: inserted, on 18 November 1991, by section 2(8) of the Immigration Amendment Act 1991 (1991 No 113).

    Section 2(1) transit passenger: amended, on 1 October 1996, by section 289(1) of the Customs and Excise Act 1996 (1996 No 27).

    Section 2(1) visa: substituted, on 18 November 1991, by section 2(9) of the Immigration Amendment Act 1991 (1991 No 113).

    Section 2(1) visa officer paragraph (b): substituted, on 18 November 1991, by section 2(10) of the Immigration Amendment Act 1991 (1991 No 113).

    Section 2(1) visa officer paragraph (b)(i): amended by section 2(3) of the Foreign Affairs Amendment Act 1993 (1993 No 48).

    Section 2(1) visa officer paragraph (b)(ii): amended by inserting the expression ; or: inserted, on 1 October 1999, by section 2(9) of the Immigration Amendment Act 1999 (1999 No 16).

    Section 2(1) visa officer paragraph (b)(iii): inserted, on 1 October 1999, by section 2(9) of the Immigration Amendment Act 1999 (1999 No 16).

    (2) Every period of time prescribed by any of the provisions of this Act for the making of an application or the lodging of an appeal, not being an appeal to the High Court, shall be reckoned exclusive of any day, not being a Saturday or a Sunday, that is a public holiday or a Departmental holiday.

    (3) For the purposes of this Act a person shall be deemed not to leave New Zealand where that person, not being a person to whom section 128 of this Act applies, departs for another country on any craft and, before arriving in another country,—

    • (a) is forced to return to New Zealand by reason of any emergency affecting the craft; or

    • (b) returns to New Zealand because of any other emergency or circumstances beyond that person's control.

    (4) For the purposes of this Act, but subject to subsection (5) of this section, and, in the case of New Zealand, subject also to subsection (6) of this section, a person is deported from any country if that person leaves that country (whether or not at the expense of the Government of that country) while an order for that person's departure, made by the Government of that country or any authorised official of that country or any judicial authority within that country, is in force; and the term deportation when used in this Act has a corresponding meaning.

    (5) For the purposes of this Act, no person is deported from any country merely because that person is surrendered to another country in accordance with a request for the extradition of that person to that other country.

    (6) For the purposes of this Act, no person is deported from New Zealand merely because that person is removed from New Zealand.

    (7) For the purposes of this Act, a person is removed from New Zealand if that person leaves New Zealand (whether or not at the expense of the Government of New Zealand) while a removal order is in force in respect of that person; and the term removal when used in this Act has a corresponding meaning.

    Section 2(2): amended, on 18 November 1991, by section 2(11)(a) of the Immigration Amendment Act 1991 (1991 No 113).

    Section 2(7): amended, on 18 November 1991, by section 2(11)(b) of the Immigration Amendment Act 1991 (1991 No 113).

3 Rights of New Zealand citizens protected
  • (1) For the purposes of this Act, every New Zealand citizen has, by virtue of that citizenship, the right to be in New Zealand at any time.

    (2) Nothing in this Act shall abrogate the right declared in subsection (1) of this section, and no provision of this Act that is inconsistent with that right shall apply to New Zealand citizens.

    (3) Without limiting the generality of subsection (2) of this section, no New Zealand citizen requires a permit under this Act to be in New Zealand, or to undertake employment in New Zealand or within the exclusive economic zone of New Zealand, or to undertake a course of study or training in New Zealand, and no such citizen is liable under this Act to removal or deportation from New Zealand in any circumstances.

Part 1
Exemptions, visas, and permits

Basic rules

4 Requirement to hold permit, or exemption, to be in New Zealand
  • (1) A person who is not a New Zealand citizen may be in New Zealand only if that person is—

    • (a) the holder of a permit granted under this Act; or

    • (b) exempt under this Act from the requirement to hold a permit.

    (2) Any person who is in New Zealand in contravention of subsection (1) of this section is deemed for the purposes of this Act to be in New Zealand unlawfully.

    (3) The fact that an application for a permit has been made by or for any person does not—

    • (a) render the person's presence in New Zealand lawful; or

    • (b) give the person a right to remain in New Zealand while the application is considered; or

    • (c) give the person a right to apply for or be granted any other permit pending determination of the application; or

    • (d) inhibit removal procedures under this Act.

    Section 4(3): substituted, on 18 November 1991, by section 3 of the Immigration Amendment Act 1991 (1991 No 113).

4A Immigration status of persons born in New Zealand on or after 1 January 2006
  • (1) This section applies to a person who—

    • (a) is born in New Zealand on or after 1 January 2006; and

    • (b) is not a New Zealand citizen.

    (2) Such a person is deemed, from the time of birth, to initially have the same immigration status as the most favourable immigration status of either of the person's parents at that time, as determined under subsection (4).

    (3) Where a person is deemed to initially have the immigration status of a parent,—

    • (a) this Act applies to that person in the same way as if the person's immigration status had arisen under any relevant provision of this Act other than this section; and

    • (b) that status continues until either—

      • (i) the person leaves New Zealand; or

      • (ii) the person is accorded a different status under, or by the operation of, this Act.

    (4) For the purposes of subsection (2), the person's immigration status is to be determined as follows:

    • (a) where both parents are recorded on the person's original birth record, whichever of the following is applicable and attaches first in the following order:

      • (i) where both parents were at the time of the birth exempt from the requirement to hold a permit, the person is deemed to be exempt from the requirement to hold a permit on the same basis as, and for the duration of the unexpired period of, the parent with the exemption having the longest unexpired period:

      • (ii) where 1 parent only was exempt from the requirement to hold a permit, the person is deemed to be exempt from the requirement to hold a permit on the same basis as, and for the duration of the unexpired period of, that parent's exemption:

      • (iii) where both parents held any type of temporary permit, the person is deemed to hold a visitor's permit of the duration of the unexpired period of the permit of the parent whose temporary permit has the longest unexpired period:

      • (iv) where 1 parent only held any type of temporary permit, the person is deemed to hold a visitor's permit of the duration of the unexpired period of that parent's temporary permit:

      • (v) where both parents held limited purpose permits, the person is deemed to hold a limited purpose permit of the duration of the unexpired period of the permit of the parent whose limited purpose permit has the longest unexpired period:

      • (vi) where 1 parent only held a limited purpose permit, the person is deemed to hold a limited purpose permit of the duration of the unexpired period of that parent's limited purpose permit:

      • (vii) where both parents were unlawfully in New Zealand, the person is deemed to be unlawfully in New Zealand and to have unlawful status on the same basis and for the same duration as the parent whose unlawful status is of the shortest duration:

    • (b) where 1 parent only is recorded on the person's original birth record, whichever of the following is applicable:

      • (i) where the parent was at the time of the birth exempt from the requirement to hold a permit, the person is deemed to be exempt from the requirement to hold a permit on the same basis as, and for the duration of the unexpired portion of, the parent's exemption:

      • (ii) where the parent held a temporary permit, the person is deemed to hold a visitor's permit of the duration of the unexpired period of the parent's temporary permit:

      • (iii) where the parent held a limited purpose permit, the person is deemed to hold a limited purpose permit of the duration of the unexpired period of the parent's limited purpose permit:

      • (iv) where the parent was unlawfully in New Zealand, the person is deemed to be unlawfully in New Zealand and to have unlawful status on the same basis and for the same duration as the parent's unlawful status.

    Section 4A: inserted, on 21 April 2005, by section 16 of the Citizenship Amendment Act 2005 (2005 No 43).

5 Requirements for undertaking employment in New Zealand
  • (1) A person who is not a New Zealand citizen may undertake employment in New Zealand only if that person is—

    • (a) the holder of a residence permit; or

    • (b) the holder of a work permit; or

    • (c) the holder of any other type of temporary permit whose conditions have been varied in accordance with this Act to authorise the holder to undertake employment in New Zealand or within the exclusive economic zone of New Zealand; or

    • (ca) the holder of a limited purpose permit granted for purposes of employment; or

    • (d) exempt under this Act from the requirement to hold a permit.

    (2) For the purposes of this section and of sections 39 and 44(5)(a) of this Act, a person is deemed to be undertaking employment in New Zealand at any time while that person is employed—

    • (a) on or in relation to any artificial island, installation, or structure anywhere within the territorial sea of New Zealand; or

    • (b) on or in relation to any artificial island, installation, or structure anywhere within the exclusive economic zone of New Zealand or on or above the continental shelf of New Zealand, being an artificial island, installation, or structure—

      • (i) described in section 7 of the Continental Shelf Act 1960; or

      • (ii) to which any regulations made under section 27(c) of the Territorial Sea and Exclusive Economic Zone Act 1977 apply; or

    • (c) on board any craft that is registered in New Zealand under any Act and is engaged in activities anywhere within the territorial sea of New Zealand or the exclusive economic zone of New Zealand or on or above the continental shelf of New Zealand.

    Section (1)(ca): inserted, on 1 October 1999, by section 3 of the Immigration Amendment Act 1999 (1999 No 16).

6 Requirements for undertaking course of study or training in New Zealand
  • (1) A person who is not a New Zealand citizen may undertake a course of study or training in New Zealand only if that person is—

    • (a) the holder of a residence permit; or

    • (b) the holder of a student permit; or

    • (c) the holder of any other type of temporary permit whose conditions have been varied in accordance with this Act to authorise the holder to undertake a course of study or training in New Zealand; or

    • (ca) the holder of a limited purpose permit granted for purposes of study or training; or

    • (d) exempt under this Act from the requirement to hold a permit; or

    • (e) [Repealed]

    (2) [Repealed]

    Section 6(1)(ca): inserted, on 1 October 1999, by section 4 of the Immigration Amendment Act 1999 (1999 No 16).

    Section 6(1)(e): repealed, on 1 January 1990, by section 4(3) of the Education Amendment Act 1989 (1989 No 156).

    Section 6(2): repealed, on 1 January 1990, by section 4(3) of the Education Amendment Act 1989 (1989 No 156).

7 Certain persons not eligible for exemption or permit
  • (1) Subject to subsection (3) of this section, no exemption shall apply, and no permit shall be granted, to any person—

    • (a) who, at any time (whether before or after the commencement of this Act), has been convicted of any offence for which that person has been sentenced to imprisonment for a term of 5 years or more, or for an indeterminate period capable of running for 5 years or more; or

    • (b) who, at any time within the preceding 10 years (whether before or after the commencement of this Act), has been convicted of any offence for which that person has been sentenced to imprisonment for a term of 12 months or more, or for an indeterminate period capable of running for 12 months or more; or

    • (c) against whom a removal order is in force; or

    • (d) who has been deported—

      • (i) from New Zealand, at any time, under this Act; or

      • (ii) [Repealed]

      • (iii) from New Zealand at any time, pursuant to an order for deportation made under section 22 of the Immigration Act 1964; or

      • (iv) from New Zealand, at any time (whether before or after the commencement of this Act), pursuant to any other enactment, except section 158 of the Shipping and Seamen Act 1952 (as repealed by section 151(1) of this Act); or

      • (v) from any other country, at any time (whether before or after the commencement of this Act);or

    • (e) who the Minister has reason to believe—

      • (i) has engaged in, or claimed responsibility for, an act of terrorism in New Zealand; or

      • (ii) is a member of or adheres to any organisation or group of people that has engaged in, or has claimed responsibility for, an act of terrorism in New Zealand; or

    • (f) who the Minister has reason to believe—

      • (i) has engaged in, or claimed responsibility for, an act of terrorism outside New Zealand; or

      • (ii) is a member of or adheres to any organisation or group of people that has engaged in, or has claimed responsibility for, an act of terrorism outside New Zealand—

      and whose presence in New Zealand would, for that reason or for any other reason, constitute, in the opinion of the Minister, a threat to public safety; or

    • (g) who the Minister has reason to believe is likely—

      • (i) to engage in, or facilitate the commission of, any act of terrorism; or

    • (h) who the Minister has reason to believe, in light of any international circumstances, is likely to constitute a danger to the security or public order of New Zealand; or

    • (i) who the Minister has reason to believe is a member of or adheres to any organisation or group of people which has criminal objectives or which has engaged in criminal activities, and whose presence in New Zealand would, for that reason or any other reason, constitute, in the opinion of the Minister, a threat to the public interest or public order.

    (2) Paragraphs (a) and (b) of subsection (1) of this section apply—

    • (a) whether the sentence is of immediate effect or is deferred or is suspended in whole or in part:

    • (b) where a person has been convicted of 2 or more offences on the same occasion or in the same proceedings, and any sentences of imprisonment imposed in respect of those offences are cumulative, as if the offender had been convicted of a single offence and sentenced for that offence to the total of the cumulative sentences:

    • (c) where a person has been convicted of 2 or more offences, and a single sentence has been imposed in respect of those offences, as if that sentence had been imposed in respect of a conviction for a single offence.

    (3) Notwithstanding subsection (1) of this section,—

    • (a) a permit may be granted to any person—

      • (i) who is entitled to a permit under section 18 of this Act; or

      • (ii) in accordance with a special direction; or

      • (iia) if it is granted for the sole purpose of enabling that person—

        • (A) to be in New Zealand for the purposes of giving or providing evidence or assistance pursuant to a request made pursuant to section 12 of the Mutual Assistance in Criminal Matters Act 1992; or

        • (B) to be transported through New Zealand pursuant to section 42 of that Act; or

      • (iii) if it is granted for the sole purpose of enabling that person to return to New Zealand to face any charge in New Zealand or to serve any sentence imposed on that person in New Zealand; and

    • (b) any exemption under section 11(1)(a) of this Act and any exemption granted in accordance with a special direction shall apply notwithstanding that the person is a person to whom subsection (1) of this section applies.

    (4) Nothing in subsection (3) of this section gives any person a right to apply for any type of permit or for a special direction, and where any person purports to apply for a permit or a special direction under this section—

    • (a) the Minister or appropriate immigration officer is under no obligation to consider the application; and

    • (b) whether the application is considered or not,—

      • (i) the Minister or officer is not obliged to give reasons for any decision relating to the application, other than the reason that this subsection applies; and

      • (ii) section 36 of this Act and section 23 of the Official Information Act 1982 shall not apply in respect of the application.

    Section 7(1)(c): amended, on 18 November 1991, by section 4(1) of the Immigration Amendment Act 1991 (1991 No 113).

    Section 7(1)(d)(ii): repealed, on 1 October 1999, by section 5 of the Immigration Amendment Act 1999 (1999 No 16).

    Section 7(1)(d)(iii): substituted, on 1 October 1999, by section 5 of the Immigration Amendment Act 1999 (1999 No 16).

    Section 7(1)(g)(ii): amended, on 18 November 1991, by inserting ; or, by section 4(2) of the Immigration Amendment Act 1991 (1991 No 113).

    Section 7(1)(h): inserted by section 4(2) of the Immigration Amendment Act 1991 (1991 No 113).

    Section 7(1)(i): inserted by section 4(2) of the Immigration Amendment Act 1991 (1991 No 113).

    Section 7(3)(a)(iia): inserted, on 1 April 1993, by section 2 of the Immigration Amendment Act 1992 (1992 No 88).

    Section 7(4): inserted, on 18 November 1991, by section 4(3) of the Immigration Amendment Act 1991 (1991 No 113).

8 Grant of residence permit a matter of discretion
  • (1) Except as provided in sections 18 and 18E and 52 of this Act,—

    • (a) no person is entitled to a residence permit as of right; and

    • (b) any question whether or not—

      • (i) to grant a residence permit to any person; or

      • (ii) to impose any requirement on the holder of a residence permit in accordance with section 18A of this Act,—

      is a matter for the discretion of the Minister or, subject to any special direction given under this Act and to section 13C of this Act, of the appropriate immigration officer.

    (2) Subject to section 18C of this Act, no appeal shall lie against the decision of the Minister or immigration officer on any such question, whether to any Court or to the Tribunal or to the Minister or otherwise.

    (3) Nothing in subsection (2) of this section limits or affects the right of any person to bring review proceedings.

    Section 8: substituted, on 18 November 1991, by section 5 of the Immigration Amendment Act 1991 (1991 No 113).

    Section 8(1): amended, on 1 October 1999, by section 6 of the Immigration Amendment Act 1999 (1999 No 16).

9 Grant of temporary permit a matter of discretion
  • (1) Except as provided in section 23(2) or section 52 or section 127(1) of this Act,—

    • (a) no person is entitled as of right to a temporary permit; and

    • (b) any question whether or not—

      • (i) to grant a temporary permit to any person and (if so) for what period; or

      • (ii) to impose any condition on a temporary permit (other than a condition imposed by section 27(1) of this Act); or

      • (iii) to vary or cancel any condition of a temporary permit; or

      • (iv) to revoke any temporary permit—

      is a matter for the discretion of the Minister or, subject to any special direction given under this Act, the appropriate immigration officer.

    (2) No appeal shall lie against the decision of the Minister or immigration officer on any such question, whether to any Court or to the Tribunal or to the Minister or otherwise.

    (3) Nothing in subsection (2) of this section limits or affects the right of any person to bring review proceedings.

    Section 9: substituted, on 18 November 1991, by section 5 of the Immigration Amendment Act 1991 (1991 No 113).

    Section 9(1): amended, on 1 October 1999, by section 7 of the Immigration Amendment Act 1999 (1999 No 16).

9A Grant of limited purpose permit a matter of discretion
  • (1) No person is entitled as of right to a limited purpose permit, and any question whether or not—

    • (a) to grant a limited purpose permit to any person and (if so) for what purpose and for what period; or

    • (b) to impose any condition on a limited purpose permit (other than a condition imposed by section 27(1)); or

    • (c) to vary or cancel any condition of a limited purpose permit; or

    • (d) to revoke any limited purpose permit—

    is a matter for the discretion of the Minister or the appropriate immigration officer, subject to any special direction given under this Act.

    (2) No appeal lies against the decision of the Minister or immigration officer on any such question, whether to any court or to the Tribunal or to the Minister or otherwise.

    (3) Nothing in subsection (2) limits or affects the right of any person to bring review proceedings.

    Section 9A: inserted, on 1 October 1999, by section 8 of the Immigration Amendment Act 1999 (1999 No 16).

10 Grant of visa a matter of discretion
  • (1) Except as provided in section 14C(2) of this Act,—

    • (a) no person is entitled to a visa as of right; and

    • (b) the question whether or not to issue a visa to any person is a matter for—

      • (i) the discretion of the Minister; or

      • (ii) subject to any special direction given under this Act, and also to sections 13C and 18E(1) of this Act in the case of a residence visa and section 14DA(2) in the case of a limited purpose visa, the discretion of the appropriate visa officer.

    (2) Subject to section 18C of this Act, no appeal shall lie against the decision of the Minister or visa officer on any such question, whether to any Court or to the Tribunal or to the Minister or otherwise.

    (3) No review proceedings may be brought in any court in respect of—

    • (a) any refusal or failure to issue a visa, except a refusal or failure to issue a returning resident's visa on application made under section 14C(1); or

    • (b) any decision by the Residence Review Board in relation to a refusal or failure to issue a visa.

    Section 10: substituted, on 18 November 1991, by section 5 of the Immigration Amendment Act 1991 (1991 No 113).

    Section 10(1)(b)(ii): amended, on 1 October 1999, by section 9 of the Immigration Amendment Act 1999 (1999 No 16).

    Section 10(3): substituted, on 9 September 2003, by section 5 of the Immigration Amendment Act (No 2) 2003 (2003 No 47).

10A Issue of invitation to apply for residence a matter of discretion
  • (1) No person is entitled as of right to an invitation to apply for residence.

    (2) The question whether or not to issue such an invitation, or to revoke such an invitation once issued, is a matter for the discretion of the Minister or, subject to any special direction given under this Act, the appropriate visa officer or immigration officer.

    (3) No appeal lies against the decision of the Minister or visa officer or immigration officer on any such question, whether to any court or to the Board or to the Minister or otherwise.

    (4) No review proceedings may be brought in respect of any refusal or failure of the Minister or a visa officer or an immigration officer to issue an invitation to apply for residence or to revoke such an invitation once issued.

    (5) A decision by the Minister or a visa officer or an immigration officer to refuse to issue an invitation to a person to apply for residence, or to revoke an invitation once issued, is not to be treated as a refusal to grant an application for a residence visa or a residence permit for the purposes of section 18C (which relates to appeals to the Residence Review Board).

    (6) To avoid doubt, the discretion referred to in subsection (2) includes—

    • (a) use by the Minister or visa officer or immigration officer of an automated electronic system that applies criteria predetermined by Government residence policy; and

    • (b) adoption of any result of that process for issuing or in determining whether or not to issue an invitation to apply for residence.

    Section 10A: inserted, on 9 September 2003, by section 6 of the Immigration Amendment Act (No 2) 2003 (2003 No 47).

Exemptions

11 Certain persons temporarily exempt from requirement to hold permit
  • (1) The following persons are exempt from the requirement to hold a permit:

    • (b) a member of a visiting force, a member of its civilian component, or a dependant, or a member of the crew of any craft used to transport them to New Zealand, while—

      • (i) members of that force are in New Zealand at the request or with the consent of the Government of New Zealand; and

      • (ii) that member's presence in New Zealand is in the ordinary course of that member's duty or employment, or that person is in New Zealand as a member of the civilian component or as a dependant of that force:.

    • (c) a member of the crew of, or a passenger on, any seagoing craft carrying passengers or cargo or both in the ordinary course of the business of the craft and plying between any foreign place and New Zealand, from the time when the craft arrives at a Customs place in New Zealand until—

      • (i) the time when it is given clearance to leave its last Customs place in New Zealand on the same voyage; or

      • (ii) the expiry of the period of 28 days commencing with the day on which it arrives at its first Customs place in New Zealand on that voyage,—

      whichever first occurs:

    • (d) a member of the crew of, or a passenger on, any foreign fishing craft licensed, or sought to be licensed, under section 15 of the Territorial Sea and Exclusive Economic Zone Act 1977, from the time when the craft first arrives at a Customs place in New Zealand during the currency of, or for the purpose of obtaining, any such licence until,—

      • (i) where the licence is or has been granted, the expiration of 7 days after the date on which the licence expires:

      • (ii) where a licence is refused or is not granted, the expiration of 7 days after the date on which the craft first arrived at the Customs place:

    • (e) a member of the crew of any commercial aircraft flying between any foreign place and New Zealand, for the period of 7 days commencing with the day on which the aircraft arrives in New Zealand:

    • (f) a member of, or a person associated with, any scientific programme or expedition under the auspices of a Contracting Party to the Antarctic Treaty within the meaning of the Antarctica Act 1960, or a person to whom section 5 of that Act applies, while that member or person is in the Ross Dependency.

    • (g) a member of the crew of, or any passenger on, any ship in respect of which the Minister of Transport has, pursuant to section 198(2) of the Maritime Transport Act 1994, authorised the carrying of cargo or passengers, for the period of 28 days commencing with the day on which the ship arrives at its first Customs place in New Zealand.

    (2) Subsection (1)(c) of this section does not apply to any person on board any craft that comes to New Zealand for the purposes of fishing or research within the exclusive economic zone of New Zealand, or that plies between New Zealand and any offshore installation within that zone.

    (3) Notwithstanding any other provision of this Act, no person who is for the time being exempt by virtue of subsection (1)(a) of this section is liable under this Act to deportation from New Zealand in any circumstances.

    (4) Terms used in subsection (1)(b) and defined in section 4 of the Visiting Forces Act 2004 have the same meanings as in that section.

    Section 11(1)(a): amended, on 2 March 2004, by section 7of the Diplomatic Privileges and Immunities Amendment Act 2004 (2004 No 1).

    Section 11(1)(b): substituted, on 1 July 2004, by section 26 of the Visiting Forces Act 2004 (2004 No 59).

    Section 11(1)(c): amended, on 1 October 1996, by section 289(1) of the Customs and Excise Act 1996 (1996 No 27).

    Section 11(1)(d): amended, on 1 October 1996, by section 289(1) of the Customs and Excise Act 1996 (1996 No 27).

    Section 11(1)(g): inserted, on 1 February 1995, by section 203 of the Maritime Transport Act 1994 (1994 No 104).

    Section 11(1)(g): amended, on 1 October 1996, by section 289(1) of the Customs and Excise Act 1996 (1996 No 27).

    Section 11(4): inserted, on 1 July 2004, by section 26 of the Visiting Forces Act 2004 (2004 No 59).

12 Persons may be exempted from requirement to hold permit by regulations or special direction
  • (1) Subject to section 7 of this Act, any regulations made under section 150 of this Act may exempt any class of person from the requirement to hold a permit.

    (2) The Minister may from time to time, by special direction, exempt any person (including a person to whom any of the provisions of section 7 of this Act applies) from the requirement to hold a permit.

    (3) The Minister may from time to time, by special direction, direct that any regulations made pursuant to subsection (1) of this section shall not apply to a particular person.

    (4) Nothing in this section gives any person a right to apply for any exemption or special direction, and where any person purports to apply to the Minister under this section,—

    • (a) the Minister is under no obligation to consider the application; and

    • (b) whether the Minister considers the application or not,—

      • (i) the Minister is not obliged to give reasons for any decision relating to the application, other than the reason that this subsection applies; and

      • (ii) section 36 of this Act and section 23 of the Official Information Act 1982 shall not apply in respect of the application.

    Section 12(4): inserted, on 18 November 1991, by section 6 of the Immigration Amendment Act 1991 (1991 No 113).

13 Person ceasing to be exempt
  • (1) Where any person who is exempt under this Act from the requirement to hold a permit ceases while in New Zealand to be so exempt, that person shall thereupon be deemed for the purposes of this Act to be in New Zealand unlawfully, unless a permit is granted to that person on an application made under subsection (2) of this section.

    (2) Any person who is exempt under this Act from the requirement to hold a permit may, in anticipation of ceasing while in New Zealand to be so exempt, apply in the prescribed manner for a permit.

    (3) If a permit is granted on an application under this section, it shall come into force on the day on which the applicant for the permit ceases to be exempt under this Act from the requirement to hold a permit.

Policy

  • Section 13A heading: inserted, on 18 November 1991, by section 7 of the Immigration Amendment Act 1991 (1991 No 113).

13A Government immigration policy generally
  • (1) The Minister shall from time to time publish the policy of the Government relating to the rules and criteria under which eligibility for the issue or grant of visas and permits is to be determined.

    (2) Publication for the purposes of this section shall include, but is not restricted to, the insertion of that policy in the departmental manual of immigration instructions and the making available of that manual to the public, and the Minister shall ensure that copies of the manual are available or readily obtainable for inspection, free of charge, at—

    • (a) offices of the Department of Labour; and

    • (b) New Zealand government offices overseas—

    that deal with immigration matters.

    (3) Nothing in subsection (2) of this section requires the making available of information that could properly be withheld in accordance with the provisions of the Official Information Act 1982, were a request to be made for the information under that Act.

    Section 13A: inserted, on 18 November 1991, by section 7 of the Immigration Amendment Act 1991 (1991 No 113).

13B Government residence policy
  • (1) For the purposes of this Act, the term Government residence policy means policy of the Government in relation to residence visas and residence permits that—

    • (a) is of a kind referred to in subsection (3) of this section; and

    • (b) has been reduced to writing and certified by the Minister as Government residence policy in that written form,—

    and any such policy shall take effect from such date as may be specified in that behalf in the certified policy (which date may not be earlier than the date on which the Minister certifies the policy).

    (1A) To avoid doubt, any policy of the Government that relates to the issuing of any type of temporary visa or limited purpose visa or the granting of any type of temporary permit or limited purpose permit is not Government residence policy, regardless of whether the issuing of the visa or the granting of the permit may affect eligibility for or otherwise relate to the issuing of a residence visa or the granting of a residence permit.

    (2) Where the Minister has certified any policy as Government residence policy, that policy shall be inserted forthwith in the departmental manual of immigration instructions, whether by way of amendment to the existing manual or by way of separate circular.

    (3) The kinds of policy that may constitute Government residence policy for the purposes of this Act are as follows:

    • (a) any general or specific objectives of Government residence policy:

    • (b) any rules or criteria for determining the eligibility of a person for the issue of a residence visa or the grant of a residence permit, being rules or criteria relating to the circumstances of that person:

    • (ba) any indicators, attributes, or other relevant information or matters that may or must be taken into account in assessing a person's eligibility:

    • (c) any statement of, or rules or criteria for determining, the number or categories or ranking of persons or classes of persons whose applications for residence visas or residence permits may be granted at any particular time or over any particular period:

    • (d) any matters relevant to balancing individual eligibility against the overall objectives or requirements of Government residence policy:

    • (e) any requirements relating to documentation or other evidence or information required to assess a person's eligibility:

    • (f) any statement of the requirements or types of requirements that may be imposed under section 18A(2) of this Act upon a person to whom a residence permit is granted, and the circumstances in which or classes of persons upon whom such requirements may be imposed.

    (3A) Any rules or criteria under subsection (3)(b) may, in respect of any 1 or more specified classes or categories of person who wish to apply for a residence visa or a residence permit,—

    • (a) include a requirement that persons of that class or category may so apply only if invited to do so by the Minister or a visa officer or an immigration officer:

    • (b) set or indicate rules, criteria, or other relevant matters of the kinds specified in subsection (3)(a) to (e) that will or may apply for the purpose of determining whether or not an invitation to apply for residence should be issued to any such person:

    • (c) stipulate any period for which an expression of interest will remain current:

    • (d) stipulate any time frame (or any method for determining the time frame) within which the relevant application must be made following the issue of an invitation to apply for residence.

    (4) Any requirements referred to in subsection (3)(f) of this section—

    • (a) shall be only such requirements as may be appropriate to ensure that the aims of Government residence policy are not prejudiced or nullified by subsequent actions or omissions of residence permit holders; and

    • (b) shall specify the maximum period for which they may be imposed, which maximum period shall in no case exceed 5 years.

    (5) For the purposes of this Act, no person who is a person to whom section 7(1) of this Act applies shall be treated as entitled to or eligible for the issue or grant of a residence visa or residence permit in terms of Government residence policy.

    Section 13B: inserted, on 18 November 1991, by section 7 of the Immigration Amendment Act 1991 (1991 No 113).

    Section 13B(1A): inserted, on 2 July 2003, by section 3 of the Immigration Amendment Act 2003 (2003 No 30).

    Section 13B(3)(a): substituted, on 9 September 2003, by section 7(1) of the Immigration Amendment Act (No 2) 2003 (2003 No 47).

    Section 13B(3)(b): substituted, on 9 September 2003, by section 7(1) of the Immigration Amendment Act (No 2) 2003 (2003 No 47).

    Section 13B(3)(ba): inserted, on 9 September 2003, by section 7(1) of the Immigration Amendment Act (No 2) 2003 (2003 No 47).

    Section 13B(3A): inserted, on9 September 2003, by section 7(2) of the Immigration Amendment Act (No 2) 2003 (2003 No 47).

13BA Chief executive may give general instructions as to order and manner of processing applications for visas and permits
  • (1) The order and manner of processing any application for a visa or permit is a matter for the discretion of a visa officer or immigration officer.

    (2) The chief executive may, from time to time, give general instructions to visa officers and immigration officers as to the order and manner of processing any application for a visa or permit.

    (3) In giving any such general instructions, the chief executive may have regard to such matters as the chief executive thinks fit.

    (4) Unless otherwise expressed by the chief executive, any general instructions as to the order and manner of processing applications, as given by the chief executive from time to time under this section, may apply to any or all applications for visas or permits regardless of the fact that—

    • (a) the general instructions may be different from those existing at the time that the applications were made; or

    • (b) the general instructions may result in applications being processed in a different order or manner than would, otherwise have occurred; or

    (5) The general instructions, as given by the chief executive from time to time, are matters of departmental rules and practice, and do not form part of Government immigration policy under section 13A or Government residence policy under section 13B.

    (6) Nothing in this Act, or in any other law or enactment, requires a visa officer or an immigration officer to process an application for a visa or permit in any particular order or manner, whether or not consistent with any general instructions given by the chief executive from time to time.

    (7) The question whether or not an application is processed in an order and manner consistent with any general instructions given by the chief executive from time to time is a matter for the discretion of a visa officer or immigration officer, and

    • (a) no appeal lies against the decision of the officer concerned, whether to an Authority, the Board, the Tribunal, the Minister, any court, or otherwise; and

    • (b) no review proceedings may be brought in any court in respect of—

      • (i) any general instructions as to the order and manner of processing applications as given by the chief executive from time to time; or

      • (ii) the application of any such general instructions; or

      • (iii) any failure by the Minister or a visa officer or immigration officer to process or to continue to process an application for a visa or a permit; or

      • (iv) any decision by the Minister or a visa officer or immigration officer to process (including a decision to continue to process), or any decision not to process (including a decision not to continue to process), an application for a visa or permit.

    Section 13BA: inserted, on 2 July 2003, by section 4 of the Immigration Amendment Act 2003 (2003 No 30).

    Section 13BA(7)(a): amended, on 9 September 2003, by section 12(2) of the Immigration Amendment Act (No 2) 2003 (2003 No 47).

13BB Lapsing of applications for visas and permits
  • (1) The Minister must, from time to time, publish in accordance with section 13A(2) the policy of the Government (if any) in relation to rules or criteria for the lapsing of applications in respect of which no decision to issue a visa or grant a permit has been made, or is likely to be made,—

    • (a) within any stipulated period or by any stipulated date; or

    • (b) by the date on which any relevant quota or limit set under Government immigration policy or Government residence policy for any particular period is reached; or

    • (c) by any other date on which some other specified event occurs or, as the case may be, has not occurred.

    (2) Rules and criteria published under this section—

    • (a) may differ for different classes or categories of applications:

    • (b) may specify any stage of processing of an application that must be reached within any stipulated period or by any stipulated date if the application is not to lapse.

    (3) The question whether or not an application meets any rules or criteria for lapsing published under this section is a matter for the discretion of an immigration officer or a visa officer, and—

    • (a) no appeal lies against the decision of the officer concerned, or the lapsing of the application, whether to the Board, an Authority, the Tribunal, the Minister, any court, or otherwise; and

    • (b) no review proceedings may be brought in any court in respect of—

      • (i) the lapsing of an application for a visa under rules or criteria published under this section; or

      • (ii) the lapsing of an expression of interest in obtaining an invitation to apply for residence.

    (4) Any decision to lapse an application for a residence visa or a residence permit must be made in accordance with the rules and criteria applicable at the time the application was made.

    (5) The effect of lapsing an application is that no further processing or decision in respect of that application is required.

    (6) Where any application is lapsed in accordance with rules and criteria published under this section, the chief executive must refund any application fee paid in respect of the application to the person who paid it, or a person authorised by that person to receive it.

    (7) Nothing in this Act or in any other law or enactment entitles a person whose application has lapsed to recover from the Minister or the Department or any visa officer or immigration officer any costs associated with the application, other than the application fee refundable under subsection (6).

    (8) Subsection (4) overrides section 13C.

    (9) In this section (except subsection (6)), application includes an expression of interest under section 13D in obtaining an invitation to apply for residence.

    Section 13BB: inserted, on 9 September 2003, by section 8 of the Immigration Amendment Act (No 2) 2003 (2003 No 47).

13C Immigration officers to comply with Government residence policy
  • (1) Where a visa officer or an immigration officer or, subject to subsection (2) of this section, the Minister makes any decision in relation to an application for a residence visa or a residence permit under this Act, that decision shall be made in terms of the Government residence policy that was applicable at the time the application was made and any discretion exercised shall be in terms of that policy.

    (2) Nothing in subsection (1) of this section prevents the Minister from making any decision to issue a residence visa or grant a residence permit as an exception to Government residence policy in any particular case.

    Section 13C: inserted, on 18 November 1991, by section 7 of the Immigration Amendment Act 1991 (1991 No 113).

Residence by invitation

  • Section 13D heading: inserted, on 9 September 2003, by section 9 of the Immigration Amendment Act (No 2) 2003 (2003 No 47).

13D Expressions of interest in residence
  • (1) A person who, by virtue of rules or criteria set under section 13B(3A), is of a class or category of person that may apply for a residence visa or residence permit only if invited to do so by the Minister or a visa officer or an immigration officer may notify his or her interest in obtaining such an invitation in the prescribed manner.

    (2) It is the responsibility of the person submitting an expression of interest to ensure that all information, evidence, and submissions that the person wishes to have considered in support of the expression of interest are provided when the expression of interest is submitted, and the Minister or visa officer or immigration officer considering the expression of interest—

    • (a) is not obliged to seek any further information, evidence, or submissions; and

    • (b) may determine whether or not to issue an invitation to apply for residence on the basis of the information, evidence, and submissions provided.

    (3) Nothing in subsection (2) prevents the Minister or visa officer or immigration officer from taking into account any information, evidence, or submissions provided by the person at any time before the decision whether to issue the invitation is made.

    Section 13D: inserted, on 9 September 2003, by section 9 of the Immigration Amendment Act (No 2) 2003 (2003 No 47).

13E Invitation to apply for residence
  • (1) An invitation to apply for residence is a statement by or on behalf of the Minister or a visa officer or an immigration officer, whether made electronically or in writing, that the person to whom it is made is authorised to make an application for a residence visa or a residence permit (whichever is appropriate).

    (2) No person may apply for a residence visa or residence permit without such an invitation if the person is of a class or category of person that, by virtue of rules or criteria set under section 13B(3A), may apply for such a visa or permit only if invited to apply for residence.

    (3) If such an invitation is required by Government residence policy for the person to be able to apply for the residence visa or residence permit, the statement of the invitation is sufficient authority for the making of the application (unless the invitation is subsequently revoked).

    (4) Despite anything in this section or in any rules or criteria or other matters of a kind referred to in section 13B(3A), the Minister may, by special direction, issue an invitation to apply for residence to a person whether or not the person has expressed his or her interest in the manner required by section 13D.

    (5) In ranking expressions of interest, and in issuing or in determining whether or not to issue an invitation to apply for residence, the Minister or a visa officer or immigration officer may—

    • (a) use an automated electronic system that applies criteria predetermined in accordance with Government residence policy; and

    • (b) apply any result of that process as an adequate basis for decision.

    (6) An invitation to apply for residence may at any time be revoked by the Minister or a visa officer or an immigration officer. A revocation takes immediate effect.

    (7) Section 13C does not apply in relation to a decision as to whether or not to issue an invitation to apply for residence, and such a decision may be made having regard to Government residence policy applicable at the time of the decision, even if that differs from Government residence policy applicable at the time of notification of the relevant expression of interest.

    (8) In a case where Government residence policy relating to residence by invitation changes between the date of issue of an invitation to apply for residence and the date on which a person's application for a residence visa or a residence permit is made in response to that invitation, the decision on that application must be made in terms of the Government residence policy applicable at the time the application was made (and not at the time the invitation was issued), and any discretion exercised must be in terms of that policy.

    Section 13E: inserted, on 9 September 2003, by section 9 of the Immigration Amendment Act (No 2) 2003 (2003 No 47).

Visas

14 Types of visa
  • The following types of visa may be issued under this Act:

    • (a) residence visas:

    • (b) returning residents' visas:

    • (c) temporary visas (including visitors' visas, work visas, and student visas):

    • (ca) limited purpose visas:

    • (d) transit visas.

    Section 14: substituted, on 18 November 1991, by section 8 of the Immigration Amendment Act 1991 (1991 No 113).

    Section 14(1)(ca): inserted, on 1 October 1999, by section 10 of the Immigration Amendment Act 1999 (1999 No 16).

14A Meaning and effect of visa
  • (1) For the purposes of this Act, a visa is an endorsement by a visa officer in a passport or certificate of identity, or, in the case of a visa issued electronically, an entry made and retained in the records of the Department of Labour in accordance with section 35AB, and indicates that the visa officer, at the time of issuing the visa, knows of no reason why the holder of the passport or certificate of identity should not—

    • (a) be granted a residence permit, where the visa is a residence visa; or

    • (b) be entitled to the grant of another residence permit, where the visa is a returning resident's visa; or

    • (c) be granted a temporary permit, where the visa is a temporary visa; or

    • (ca) be granted a limited purpose permit, where the visa is a limited purpose visa; or

    • (d) be allowed to come to New Zealand as a transit passenger for a period of up to 24 hours, where the visa is a transit visa.

    (2) A visa is not, nor does it have the effect of, a permit.

    (3) Except in the case of a returning resident's visa issued for the purposes of section 18 of this Act, a visa—

    • (a) does not entitle the holder to a permit as of right; and

    • (b) does not fetter in any way any discretion conferred on the Minister or any immigration officer by any of the provisions of this Act.

    (4) Notwithstanding anything in subsection (1) of this section, where a visa is not granted electronically in accordance with section 35AB and a visa officer is satisfied that it would be unreasonable to insist on the production of the passport or certificate of identity, or that for any other reason it would be appropriate to issue a separate visa, the officer may issue a separate visa; but in such a case, whenever the visa is to be presented, it shall be presented together with the passport or certificate of identity.

    Section 14A: inserted, on 18 November 1991, by section 8 of the Immigration Amendment Act 1991 (1991 No 113).

    Section 14A(1): amended, on 1 October 1999, by section 11(1) of the Immigration Amendment Act 1999 (1999 No 16).

    Section 14A(1)(ca): inserted, on 1 October 1999, by section 11(2) of the Immigration Amendment Act 1999 (1999 No 16).

    Section 14A(4): amended, on 1 October 1999, by section 11(3) of the Immigration Amendment Act 1999 (1999 No 16).

14B Residence visas
  • (1) Every person who—

    • (a) is outside New Zealand; and

    • (b) wishes to come to New Zealand and be granted a residence permit; and

    • (c) will not be exempt under this Act from the requirement to hold a permit,—

    shall, before proceeding to New Zealand, apply in the prescribed manner for, and obtain, a residence visa, unless the person is exempt from this requirement by virtue of any regulations or any special direction made under this Act.

    (1A) Despite subsection (1),—

    • (a) no person who is of a class or category of person that, by virtue of rules or criteria set under section 13B(3A), may apply for a residence visa or residence permit only if invited to apply for residence, may apply for a residence visa without such an invitation; and

    • (b) no person may apply for a residence visa in response to an invitation to apply for residence if the application is not made within any relevant time frame stipulated by or under rules or criteria set under section 13B(3A)(d).

    (2) No application for a residence visa that is received by a visa officer shall be referred to the Minister for decision at first instance unless the Minister gives a special direction to that effect.

    (3) It is the responsibility of the applicant to ensure that all information, evidence, and submissions that the applicant wishes to have considered in support of the application are provided when the application is made, and the Minister or visa officer considering the application—

    • (a) is not obliged to seek any further information, evidence, or submissions; and

    • (b) may determine the application on the basis of the information, evidence, and submissions provided.

    (4) Nothing in subsection (3) of this section prevents the Minister or visa officer from taking into account when determining the application any information, evidence, or submissions provided by the applicant at any time before the decision on the application is made.

    (5) Every residence visa issued shall be current for the period or until the date specified in it, and may be expressed to be effective for any number of journeys to New Zealand within that period or before that date.

    (6) A residence visa may specify any requirements that are to be imposed under section 18A of this Act on the holder of the visa when a residence permit is granted to the holder.

    (7) A person who holds a residence visa and who arrives in New Zealand during the currency of that visa may apply under section 17(1) of this Act for a residence permit.

    Section 14B: inserted, on 18 November 1991, by section 8 of the Immigration Amendment Act 1991 (1991 No 113).

    Section 14B(1A): inserted, on 9 September 2003, by section 10 of the Immigration Amendment Act (No 2) 2003 (2003 No 47).

14C Returning residents' visas
  • (1) The holder of a residence permit who intends to leave New Zealand temporarily may, before leaving, apply in the prescribed manner for a returning resident's visa.

    (2) A visa officer shall, on being satisfied that an applicant under subsection (1) of this section is the holder of a residence permit, issue to that person a returning resident's visa.

    (3) Every returning resident's visa shall be current for the period or until the date specified in it, and may be expressed to be effective for any number of journeys to New Zealand within that period or before that date.

    (4) A person who holds a returning resident's visa and who returns to New Zealand during the currency of that visa is entitled, upon application under section 18 of this Act, to the grant of a further residence permit.

    (5) If, during the currency of a returning resident's visa, the holder's residence permit is revoked, or the holder is deported from New Zealand, the visa shall be deemed to be cancelled, and an immigration officer or visa officer may endorse it accordingly.

    (6) Nothing in this section prevents a visa officer from issuing a returning resident's visa to any person in any other circumstances.

    Section 14C: inserted, on 18 November 1991, by section 8 of the Immigration Amendment Act 1991 (1991 No 113).

14D Temporary visas
  • (1) Every person who—

    • (a) is outside New Zealand; and

    • (b) wishes to come to New Zealand for any purpose for which a temporary permit may be granted; and

    • (c) will not be exempt under this Act from the requirement to hold a permit,—

    shall, before proceeding to New Zealand, apply in the prescribed manner for, and obtain, a temporary visa, unless that person is exempt from this requirement by virtue of any special direction or any regulations made under this Act.

    (2) Every temporary visa issued shall be current for the period or until the date specified in it, and may be expressed to be effective for any number of journeys to New Zealand within that period or before that date.

    (3) A person who holds a temporary visa and who arrives in New Zealand during the currency of that visa may apply under section 25 of this Act for a temporary permit.

    (4) Nothing in this section—

    • (a) requires a person to apply for a temporary visa if that person instead applies for a limited purpose visa:

    • (b) prevents a visa officer from issuing a limited purpose visa, to a person who has applied for a temporary visa, if the circumstances specified in section 14DA(2) apply.

    (5) It may be a precondition to the issue of a temporary visa that a bond be paid in accordance with section 148B.

    (6) In the case of a bond of a kind that is intended to manage the risk of an applicant remaining in New Zealand beyond the expiry of his or her permit, the relevant visa officer or immigration officer may impose such a bond if, and only if,—

    • (a) the officer identifies such a risk in the particular case; and

    • (b) the officer considers that the imposition of the bond is necessary in the particular case to manage that risk.

    Section 14D: inserted, on 18 November 1991, by section 8 of the Immigration Amendment Act 1991 (1991 No 113).

    Section 14D(4): inserted, on 1 October 1999, by section 12 of the Immigration Amendment Act 1999 (1999 No 16).

    Section 14D(5): inserted, on 1 October 1999, by section 12 of the Immigration Amendment Act 1999 (1999 No 16).

    Section 14D(6): inserted, on 1 October 1999, by section 12 of the Immigration Amendment Act 1999 (1999 No 16).

14DA Limited purpose visas
  • (1) If a person who is outside New Zealand applies in the prescribed manner for a limited purpose visa, a visa officer may issue a limited purpose visa if the person—

    • (a) wishes to come to New Zealand for an express purpose; and

    • (b) will not be exempt from the requirement to hold a permit to be in New Zealand.

    (2) If a person who is outside New Zealand applies in the prescribed manner for a temporary visa (rather than a limited purpose visa), a visa officer may issue a limited purpose visa rather than the temporary visa applied for if, and only if,—

    • (a) the person is of a kind described by subsection (1)(a) and (b): and

    • (b) the visa officer identifies a risk in the particular case that the person will remain in New Zealand beyond the expiry of his or her permit; and

    • (c) the visa officer considers that the issue of a limited purpose visa rather than a temporary visa is necessary in the particular case to manage that risk.

    (3) A holder of a limited purpose visa who arrives in New Zealand during the currency of that visa may on arrival apply only for a limited purpose permit.

    (4) It may be a precondition to the issue of a limited purpose visa that a bond be paid in accordance with section 148B, being a bond imposed for purposes other than the management of the risk that the person concerned may remain in New Zealand beyond the expiry of the permit granted on the basis of the visa.

    Section 14DA: inserted, on 1 October 1999, by section 13 of the Immigration Amendment Act 1999 (1999 No 16).

14E Transit visas
  • (1) Subject to any special direction, any person outside New Zealand who—

    • (a) is classified by regulations made under this Act, or by a special direction of the Minister made in accordance with this section, as a person of a type who requires a transit visa; and

    • (b) is seeking to be in New Zealand only as a transit passenger for a period not exceeding 24 hours,—

    shall, before proceeding to New Zealand, apply in the prescribed manner for, and obtain, a transit visa.

    (2) Any regulations classifying persons as persons who require transit visas for the purposes of this section—

    • (a) may, without limiting the generality of the manner in which persons may be classified, classify persons by reference to—

      • (i) their nationality; or

      • (ii) the country or place from which they are travelling (whether it be their original or an intermediate point of departure); or

      • (iii) their immediate or ultimate destination after transiting through New Zealand; or

      • (iv) whether or not they hold, or are required to hold, any particular type of travel or immigration documentation, by whomever issued; or

      • (v) any combination of the above factors:

    • (b) expire at the expiry of 3 calendar years from the date on which they were made, unless sooner revoked.

    (2A) Nothing in subsection (2) prevents regulations being made under subsection (1) that replicate in whole or in part regulations that have expired.

    (2B) Any special direction classifying persons as persons who require transit visas for the purpose of this section—

    • (a) must be published in the Gazette, and notified in writing to the appropriate diplomatic or consular representative of any country concerned:

    • (b) expires at the end of the period of 3 months following the day on which the special direction was made, unless sooner cancelled by the Minister by a further special direction, or by regulations:

    (2C) Subsection (2)(a) applies to any special direction under this section as if it were a regulation.

    (2D) A special direction under this section may not be effectively continued in force by the making of a further special direction to the same or similar effect.

    (3) Every transit visa issued shall be current for the period or until the date specified in it, and may be expressed to be effective for any number of journeys to New Zealand within that period or before that date.

    (4) Nothing in this Act requires the holder of a transit visa to apply for or hold a permit if the person remains on the craft, or in a Customs controlled area, or in the custody of the Police, throughout the whole period during which the person is in New Zealand, unless that period exceeds 24 hours.

    (5) The holder of a transit visa is not entitled to apply under this Act for any type of permit, and where any such person purports to apply for a permit that application may be refused and section 128 of this Act shall apply to the person accordingly.

    Section 14E: inserted, on 18 November 1991, by section 8 of the Immigration Amendment Act 1991 (1991 No 113).

    Section 14E(1)(a): substituted, on 1 October 1999, by section 14(1) of the Immigration Amendment Act 1999 (1999 No 16).

    Section 14E(2)(b): substituted, on 1 October 1999, by section 14(2) of the Immigration Amendment Act 1999 (1999 No 16).

    Section 14E(2A): inserted, on 1 October 1999, by section 14(3) of the Immigration Amendment Act 1999 (1999 No 16).

    Section 14E(2B): inserted, on 1 October 1999, by section 14(3) of the Immigration Amendment Act 1999 (1999 No 16).

    Section 14E(2C): inserted, on 1 October 1999, by section 14(3) of the Immigration Amendment Act 1999 (1999 No 16).

    Section 14E(2D): inserted, on 1 October 1999, by section 14(3) of the Immigration Amendment Act 1999 (1999 No 16).

    Section 14E(4): amended, on 1 October 1996, by section 289(1) of the Customs and Excise Act 1996 (1996 No 27).

15 Issue and currency of visas
  • [Repealed]

    Section 15: repealed, on 18 November 1991, by section 8 of the Immigration Amendment Act 1991 (1991 No 113)

Residence permits

16 Effect of residence permit
  • (1) A residence permit entitles the holder of the permit to be in New Zealand indefinitely.

    (2) The holder of a residence permit may, without further authority than that permit,—

    • (a) undertake employment in New Zealand or within the exclusive economic zone of New Zealand:

    • (b) undertake any course of study or training in New Zealand.

17 Persons who may apply for residence permits
  • (1) The following persons may apply for a residence permit:

    • (a) any person who is the holder of a residence visa and who arrives in New Zealand during the currency of that visa:

    • (b) any person in New Zealand who is the holder of a temporary permit, other than—

      • (i) the holder of a pre-cleared temporary permit while that person is still in the arrival hall at the customs airport at which the person arrives in New Zealand; or

      • (ii) the holder of a temporary permit that is subject to the condition specified in section 27A(2) of this Act:

    • (c) in the case of a pre-cleared residence permit, any person specified in section 35D(2) of this Act.

    (1A) Despite subsection (1),—

    • (a) no person who is of a class or category of person that, by virtue of rules or criteria set under section 13B(3A), may apply for a residence visa or residence permit only if invited to apply for residence, may apply for a residence permit without such an invitation; and

    • (b) no person may apply for a residence permit in response to an invitation to apply for residence if the application is not made within any relevant time frame stipulated by or under rules or criteria set under section 13B(3A)(d).

    (2) No person who is unlawfully in New Zealand may apply for a residence permit and, where any such person purports to apply for a residence permit,—

    • (a) the Minister or appropriate immigration officer is under no obligation to consider that application; and

    • (b) whether the application is considered or not,—

      • (i) the Minister or immigration officer is not obliged to give reasons for any decision relating to the application, other than the reason that this subsection applies; and

      • (ii) section 36 of this Act and section 23 of the Official Information Act 1982 shall not apply in respect of the application.

    Section 17: substituted, on 18 November 1991, by section 9 of the Immigration Amendment Act 1991 (1991 No 113).

    Section 17(1)(b): substituted, on 15 September 1993, by section 4(1) of the Immigration Amendment Act 1993 (1993 No 100).

    Section 17(1)(c): inserted, on 15 September 1993, by section 4(1) of the Immigration Amendment Act 1993 (1993 No 100).

    Section 17(1)(b)(i): amended, on 1 October 1996, by section 289(1) of the Customs and Excise Act 1996 (1996 No 27).

    Section 17(1A): inserted, on 9 September 2003, by section 11 of the Immigration Amendment Act (No 2) 2003 (2003 No 47).

17A Applications for residence permits
  • (1) A person applying for a residence permit under section 17 of this Act shall do so in the prescribed manner.

    (2) No application for a residence permit that is received by an immigration officer shall be referred to the Minister for decision at first instance unless the Minister gives a special direction to that effect.

    (3) It is the responsibility of the applicant to ensure that all information, evidence, and submissions that the applicant wishes to have considered in support of the application are provided when the application is made, and the Minister or immigration officer considering the application—

    • (a) is not obliged to seek any further information, evidence, or submissions; and

    • (b) may determine the application on the basis of the information, evidence, and submissions provided.

    (4) Nothing in subsection (3) of this section prevents the Minister or immigration officer from taking into account when determining the application any information, evidence, or submissions provided by the applicant at any time before the decision on the application is made.

    Section 17A: inserted, on 18 November 1991, by section 9 of the Immigration Amendment Act 1991 (1991 No 113).

18 Residence permit holders temporarily absent from New Zealand
  • The following persons are entitled, on application in the prescribed manner, to be granted a further residence permit:

    • (a) the holder of a returning resident's visa who returns to New Zealand during the currency of that visa:

    • (b) [Repealed]

    • (c) in the case of a pre-cleared residence permit, any person specified in section 35D(3) of this Act.

    Section 18: substituted, on 18 November 1991, by section 9 of the Immigration Amendment Act 1991 (1991 No 113).

    Section 18(b): repealed, on 2 July 2004, by section 3 of the Immigration Amendment Act 2004 (2004 No 56).

    Section 18(c): inserted, on 15 September 1993, by section 5 of the Immigration Amendment Act 1993 (1993 No 100).

18A Requirements may be imposed on grant of residence permit
  • (1) The Minister or an immigration officer may, on granting a residence permit, impose requirements on the holder of the permit in accordance with this section.

    (2) Except as provided in subsection (3) of this section, requirements may be imposed under this section on the holder of a residence permit only where—

    • (a) those requirements are specified in, or are of a kind authorised under, the Government residence policy applicable at the time the application for the permit was made; and

    • (b) the permit holder is a person of a class upon whom those requirements can, in terms of that Government residence policy, be imposed.

    (3) Where the Minister grants a residence permit to a person as an exception to the Government residence policy applying at the time the application for the permit was made, the Minister may impose such requirements as the Minister thinks fit to impose in all the circumstances having regard to—

    • (a) the reasons why the holder of the permit was not eligible in terms of the applicable Government residence policy; or

    • (b) the reasons why the grant of the permit was made as an exception to Government residence policy.

    (3A) Requirements imposed under this section may include the posting of a bond that is refundable in whole or in part if other requirements under this section are met, and section 148B applies in relation to any such bond.

    (3B) The fact that a bond has been forfeited in whole or in part does not affect other action taken, or that may be taken, in respect of a failure to meet requirements imposed under this section, including revocation of a residence permit or returning resident's visa under section 20 or section 20A.

    (4) Where any requirements are imposed under this section, the holder of the permit shall be notified in writing—

    • (a) of all requirements imposed; and

    • (b) that any failure to comply with the requirements may result in revocation of the permit pursuant to section 20(1)(d) of this Act.

    (5) The Minister may at any time, by special direction,—

    • (a) cancel any requirement imposed under this section, whether on the application of the holder of the residence permit or of the Minister's own motion; or

    • (b) with the agreement of the residence permit holder, vary any requirement imposed under this section or impose any new requirement (whether or not the variation or new requirement is specified in or specifically authorised under Government residence policy).

    (6) Where the Minister cancels or varies any requirement or imposes any new requirement under subsection (5) of this section,—

    • (a) the Minister shall cause the holder of the permit to be notified accordingly; and

    • (b) the cancellation, variation, or new requirement shall take effect from the date specified in the notice.

    (7) Where any requirement is imposed on the holder of a residence permit under this section, that requirement shall continue to apply to that person according to its tenor both—

    • (a) during the currency of any returning resident's visa that is issued to the person in reliance on the fact that the person is or was the holder of that permit; and

    • (b) during the currency of any residence permit then granted to the person by virtue of an entitlement under section 14C(4) of this Act.

    Section 18A: inserted, on 18 November 1991, by section 9 of the Immigration Amendment Act 1991 (1991 No 113).

    Section 18A(3A): inserted, on 1 October 1999, by section 15 of the Immigration Amendment Act 1999 (1999 No 16).

    Section 18A(3B): inserted, on 1 October 1999, by section 15 of the Immigration Amendment Act 1999 (1999 No 16).

Appeal against refusal to grant residence visa or residence permit

18B Residence Review Board
  • (1) For the purposes of this Act there is a board called the Residence Review Board. The Board is the same body as the Residence Appeal Authority that existed immediately before the commencement of the Immigration Amendment Act (No 2) 2003.

    (2) The function of the Board is to hear appeals brought under section 18C against the refusal of a visa officer or an immigration officer to grant an application for a residence visa or a residence permit.

    (3) The Board consists of such number of members as the Governor-General determines from time to time on the advice of the Minister.

    (4) The members are appointed by the Governor-General on the recommendation of the Minister.

    (5) No immigration officer, and no person who has at any time within the previous 5 years been an immigration officer, may be appointed as a member of the Board.

    (6) For the purposes of any matter within its jurisdiction the Board consists of 1 member.

    (7) The provisions set out in Schedule 3A apply in relation to the Board.

    Section 18B: inserted, on 18 November 1991, by section 9 of the Immigration Amendment Act 1991 (1991 No 113).

    Section 18B: substituted, on 9 September 2003, by section 12(1) of the Immigration Amendment Act (No 2) 2003 (2003 No 47).

18C Appeals to Board against refusal of residence visa or permit
  • (1) Where a visa officer or immigration officer has refused to grant any application for a residence visa or a residence permit, being an application lodged on or after the date of commencement of the Immigration Amendment Act 1991, the applicant may appeal against that refusal to the Residence Review Board on the grounds that—

    • (a) the refusal was not correct in terms of the Government residence policy applicable at the time the application for the visa or the permit was made; or

    • (b) the special circumstances of the appellant are such that an exception to that Government residence policy should be considered.

    (2) No appeal shall lie under this section in respect of any refusal by the Minister to issue a residence visa or grant a residence permit.

    (2A) No appeal lies under this section in respect of—

    • (a) any refusal or failure of the Minister or a visa officer or an immigration officer to issue an invitation to apply for residence; or

    • (b) any refusal or failure of the Minister or a visa officer or an immigration officer to issue a residence visa or grant a residence permit to a person who has been invited to apply for residence if a ground for the refusal or failure is that the Minister or officer is satisfied that the person,—

      • (i) whether personally or through an agent, in expressing his or her interest in obtaining an invitation to apply for residence submitted false or misleading information, or withheld relevant information that was potentially prejudicial to the person; or

      • (ii) did not ensure that a visa officer or immigration officer was informed of any material change in circumstances between the time of expressing interest and the time of the person's application for the relevant visa or permit; or

    • (c) any lapse of an application for residence or of an expression of interest in obtaining an invitation to apply for residence; or

    • (d) any revocation of an invitation to apply for residence.

    (3) The Board shall not consider an appeal under this section unless the appeal—

    • (a) is made in the prescribed manner; and

    • (b) is accompanied by the prescribed fee (if any); and

    • (c) is brought within 42 days after the date the appellant was notified of the refusal to issue the residence visa or, as the case may be, grant the residence permit.

    (4) For the purposes of subsection (3)(c) of this section, any written notice of a refusal to issue a residence visa or grant a residence permit that is sent by post to an address supplied by the applicant for the visa or permit in that behalf shall be deemed to have been notified to the applicant—

    • (a) 7 days after the date on which the notice was posted, where the address is in New Zealand; or

    • (b) 14 days after the date on which the notice was posted, where the address is outside New Zealand,—

    unless the applicant proves that, otherwise than through fault on the applicant's part, the applicant was not so notified.

    (5) The appellant shall supply to the Board an address at which any communication relating to the appeal may be notified to the appellant.

    (6) The provisions of section 18F of this Act shall apply in relation to any appeal under this section.

    (7) An appeal under this section may at any time be withdrawn by notice in writing to the Board.

    Section 18C: inserted, on 18 November 1991, by section 9 of the Immigration Amendment Act 1991 (1991 No 113).

    Section 18C heading: amended, on 9 September 2003, by section 12(2) of the Immigration Amendment Act (No 2) 2003 (2003 No 47).

    Section 18C(1): amended, on 9 September 2003, by section 12(2) of the Immigration Amendment Act (No 2) 2003 (2003 No 47).

    Section 18C(2A): inserted, on 9 September 2003, by section 13 of the Immigration Amendment Act (No 2) 2003 (2003 No 47).

    Section 18C(3): amended, on 9 September 2003, by section 12(2) of the Immigration Amendment Act (No 2) 2003 (2003 No 47).

    Section 18C(5): amended, on 9 September 2003, by section 12(2) of the Immigration Amendment Act (No 2) 2003 (2003 No 47).

    Section 18C(7): amended, on 9 September 2003, by section 12(2) of the Immigration Amendment Act (No 2) 2003 (2003 No 47).

18D Determination of appeal by Board
  • (1) In determining an appeal under section 18C of this Act the Board shall do 1 of the following things:

    • (a) confirm the decision to refuse the visa or permit as having been correct in terms of the Government residence policy that was applicable at the time the application for the visa or permit was made by the appellant; or

    • (b) reverse the decision as having been incorrect in terms of the Government residence policy that was applicable at the time the application for the visa or permit was made by the appellant; or

    • (c) note the correctness of the original decision in terms of the Government residence policy that was applicable at the time the application was made on the basis of the information provided to the immigration officer or visa officer before the time of the decision, but reverse that decision on the basis of any information properly made available to the Board in accordance with section 18F of this Act that reveals that the issue of the visa or the grant of the permit would have been correct in terms of the applicable Government residence policy; or

    • (d) note the correctness of the original decision in terms of the Government residence policy that was applicable at the time the application was made on the basis of the information provided to the immigration officer or visa officer before the time of the decision, but determine the appeal by cancelling the decision and referring the application back to the Secretary of Labour for consideration under that policy as if a new application had been made which included any additional information properly provided to the Board; or

    • (e) where the Board—

      • (i) considers that the decision to refuse the visa or permit was made on the basis of an incorrect assessment in terms of the Government residence policy that was applicable at the time the application was made; but

      • (ii) is not satisfied that the appellant would, but for that incorrect assessment, have been entitled in terms of that policy to the immediate grant of a visa or permit,—

      determine the appeal by cancelling the decision and referring the application back to the Secretary of Labour for correct assessment in terms of that applicable Government residence policy; or

    • (f) confirm the decision as having been correct in terms of the Government residence policy that was applicable at the time the application was made, but recommend that the special circumstances of the applicant are such as to warrant consideration by the Minister as an exception to that Government residence policy.

    (2) Where the Board determines to reverse a decision to refuse a visa or permit under paragraph (b) or paragraph (c) of subsection (1) of this section, the Board shall—

    • (a) consider whether or not it is appropriate that requirements should be imposed on the appellant in accordance with section 18A(2) of this Act, when a residence permit is granted to the appellant; and

    • (b) if it considers that the imposition of requirements is appropriate, in its decision specify any such requirements with such degree of generality or particularity as the Board thinks fit.

    (3) Where the Board refers an application back to the Secretary of Labour under subsection (1)(e) of this section, the Board may give the Secretary such directions as it thinks fit as to how a correct assessment of the application should be carried out.

    (4) The Board shall, as soon as practicable, notify the appellant in writing of its decision on the appeal and the reasons for that decision.

    (5) Subject to section 115 of this Act, the decision of the Board on an appeal under section 18C of this Act shall be final, and, except where a Court otherwise directs, the Board shall have no jurisdiction to reconsider the appeal after the appellant has been notified of the decision.

    Section 18D: inserted, on18 November 1991, by section 9 of the Immigration Amendment Act 1991 (1991 No 113).

    Section 18D heading: amended, on 9 September 2003, by section 12(2) of the Immigration Amendment Act (No 2) 2003 (2003 No 47).

    Section 18D(1): amended, on 9 September 2003, by section 12(2) of the Immigration Amendment Act (No 2) 2003 (2003 No 47).

    Section 18D(2): amended, on 9 September 2003, by section 12(2) of the Immigration Amendment Act (No 2) 2003 (2003 No 47).

    Section 18D(3): amended, on 9 September 2003, by section 12(2) of the Immigration Amendment Act (No 2) 2003 (2003 No 47).

    Section 18D(4): amended, on 9 September 2003, by section 12(2) of the Immigration Amendment Act (No 2) 2003 (2003 No 47).

    Section 18D(5): amended, on 9 September 2003, by section 12(2) of the Immigration Amendment Act (No 2) 2003 (2003 No 47).

18E Procedure where appeal successful or Board makes recommendation
  • (1) Subject to subsection (2) of this section, where the Board reverses a decision under paragraph (b) or paragraph (c) of section 18D(1) of this Act, the Minister or the visa officer or an immigration officer shall, as the case may require, issue a residence visa or grant a residence permit to the appellant.

    (2) Nothing in subsection (1) of this section requires a residence visa or a residence permit to be issued or granted to any person—

    • (a) until the normal requirements for furnishing any certificates or other material that is required before a visa or permit can be issued or granted have been complied with, where those certificates or other material—

      • (i) were not supplied to the appropriate officer before the date on which the decision to decline the application for the residence visa or residence permit was made; or

      • (ii) by reason of effluxion of time, are no longer current for the purposes of issuing a visa or granting a permit under this Act; or

    • (b) where, since the date on which the application for the residence visa or residence permit was declined, any matter has arisen or any information has become available in respect of the person that would disqualify that person from being issued with a residence visa or granted a residence permit, as the case may be, in terms of both—

      • (i) the Government residence policy that was applicable at the time of the application for the visa or permit; and

      • (ii) the Government residence policy currently applicable.

    (3) Where, in reliance on subsection (2)(a) of this section, a residence permit is not immediately granted to a person who is already in New Zealand, the Minister or an immigration officer shall grant a temporary permit to the person, being a permit that is current for a period of not less than 6 months.

    (4) Where any residence permit is granted to a person under subsection (1) of this section, or a residence permit is subsequently granted to a person by reason of a residence visa having been issued under that subsection, no requirements may be imposed on the person under section 18A(2) of this Act unless those requirements are specified in, or of a kind authorised by, the decision of the Board under section 18D(2)(b) of this Act.

    (5) Where the Board makes a recommendation under section 18D(1)(f) of this Act, the Minister—

    • (a) shall consider whether or not a residence visa should be issued or a residence permit granted as an exception to Government policy; and

    • (b) may, if the Minister grants a residence permit to the appellant, impose requirements on the appellant in accordance with section 18A(2) of this Act.

    (6) The Minister is not obliged to give reasons in relation to any decision made as a result of any consideration under subsection (5) of this section, and neither section 36 of this Act nor section 23 of the Official Information Act 1982 shall apply in respect of any such decision.

    Section 18E: inserted, on 18 November 1991, by section 9 of the Immigration Amendment Act 1991 (1991 No 113).

    Section 18E heading: amended, on 9 September 2003, by section 12(2) of the Immigration Amendment Act (No 2) 2003 (2003 No 47).

    Section 18E(1): amended, on 9 September 2003, by section 12(2) of the Immigration Amendment Act (No 2) 2003 (2003 No 47).

    Section 18E(4): amended, on 9 September 2003, by section 12(2) of the Immigration Amendment Act (No 2) 2003 (2003 No 47).

    Section 18E(5): amended, on 9 September 2003, by section 12(2) of the Immigration Amendment Act (No 2) 2003 (2003 No 47).

18F Provisions applying to appeals
  • (1) The Board shall determine any appeal under section 18C of this Act on the papers, and with all reasonable speed.

    (2) On any such appeal—

    • (a) it is the responsibility of the appellant to ensure that all information, evidence, and submissions that the appellant wishes to have considered in support of the appeal are received by the Board within the period of 42 days prescribed by section 18C(3) of this Act; and

    • (b) the Board is not obliged to consider any material supplied by the appellant after that period, other than—

      • (i) information requested by the Board and supplied by the appellant within such time as the Board may specify; or

      • (ii) information provided by way of rebuttal or comment pursuant to subsection (7) of this section.

    (3) Where an appeal is lodged under section 18C of this Act,—

    • (a) the Board shall give to the Secretary of Labour a copy of the notice of appeal and any information, evidence, or submissions lodged by the appellant; and

    • (b) the Secretary of Labour shall, within the time allowed by the Board for the purpose, lodge with the Board any file relating to the appellant that is held by the Secretary, and may also lodge such other information, evidence, or submissions in relation to the matter under appeal as the Secretary thinks fit.

    (4) Subject to subsections (4A) to (7), the Board, in determining the appeal,—

    • (a) may seek and receive such information as it thinks fit, and consider information from any source; but

    • (b) may not consider any information or evidence adduced by the appellant that was not provided to the visa officer or immigration officer before the time at which that officer made the decision on the application for the residence visa or residence permit that is the subject of the appeal.

    (4A) The Board may consider information or evidence not provided by the appellant to the relevant officer before the time of the relevant decision if—

    • (a) the Board is satisfied that—

      • (i) the information or evidence existed at the time the decision to refuse the visa or permit was made, and would have been relevant to the making of that decision; and

      • (ii) the appellant could not, by the exercise of reasonable diligence, have placed that information or evidence before the visa officer or immigration officer at the time at which the officer made the decision on the application; and

      • (iii) in all the circumstances it is fair to consider the information or evidence; or

    • (b) the Board considers that it is necessary for it to have the information or evidence for the purpose of considering whether or not to make a determination under section 18D(1)(f).

    (5) Where—

    • (a) the Board considers that the decision under appeal depended, in whole or in part, upon the recorded results of an interview conducted with the appellant or with some other person connected with the application; and

    • (b) those results involved the recording of an exercise of judgment on the part of the interviewing officer as opposed to the recording of facts; and

    • (c) the Board considers that further written evidence or submissions will not assist to confirm or test those results,—

    the Board may require the Secretary of Labour to arrange for an interview to be conducted with any specified person for any specified purpose and in any specified manner and for the report of that interview to be provided to the Board, but in any such case the interview shall not be conducted by any visa officer or immigration officer who has previously interviewed that person.

    (6) Where—

    • (a) it comes to the attention of the Board that any particular event has occurred after the time at which the visa officer or immigration officer made the decision on the appellant's application for the residence visa or residence permit; and

    • (b) the Board is satisfied that the event materially affects the applicant's eligibility under Government residence policy,—

    the Board may, if it considers it fair in all the circumstances to do so, determine the appeal in the manner set out in section 18D(1)(d) of this Act.

    (7) Subject to subsection (8) of this section, where—

    • (a) the Secretary lodges any material with the Board under subsection (3) of this section, or the Board obtains information from any other source; and

    • (b) that material or information is or may be prejudicial to the appellant; and

    • (c) the appellant has not previously been afforded an opportunity to comment on the material or information; and

    • (d) the Board proposes to take that material or information into account in determining the appeal,—

    the Board shall disclose that material or information to the appellant by notifying it to the appellant as soon as practicable after it is lodged with or received by the Board, and shall give the appellant an opportunity to rebut or comment on the material or information within such reasonable time as is specified by the Board.

    (8) Nothing in subsection (7) of this section requires the Board to disclose to the appellant or to any other person any information the disclosure of which would be likely to endanger the safety of any person.

    (9) Where the Board does not disclose certain information in reliance on subsection (8) of this section, the Board shall notify the appellant of the fact of non-disclosure.

    Section 18F: inserted, on 18 November 1991, by section 9 of the Immigration Amendment Act 1991 (1991 No 113).

    Sections 18F(1): amended, on 9 September 2003, by section 12(2) of the Immigration Amendment Act (No 2) 2003 (2003 No 47).

    Sections 18F(2): amended, on 9 September 2003, by section 12(2) of the Immigration Amendment Act (No 2) 2003 (2003 No 47).

    Sections 18F(3): amended, on 9 September 2003, by section 12(2) of the Immigration Amendment Act (No 2) 2003 (2003 No 47).

    Section 18F(4): substituted, on 1 October 1999, by section 16 of the Immigration Amendment Act 1999 (1999 No 16).

    Section 18F(4): amended, on 9 September 2003, by section 12(2) of the Immigration Amendment Act (No 2) 2003 (2003 No 47).

    Section 18F(4A): inserted, on 1 October 1999, by section 16 of the Immigration Amendment Act 1999 (1999 No 16).

    Section 18F(4A): amended, on 9 September 2003, by section 12(2) of the Immigration Amendment Act (No 2) 2003 (2003 No 47).

    Section 18F(5): amended, on 9 September 2003, by section 12(2) of the Immigration Amendment Act (No 2) 2003 (2003 No 47).

    Section 18F(6): amended, on 9 September 2003, by section 12(2) of the Immigration Amendment Act (No 2) 2003 (2003 No 47).

    Section 18F(7): amended, on 9 September 2003, by section 12(2) of the Immigration Amendment Act (No 2) 2003 (2003 No 47).

    Section 18F(8): amended, on 9 September 2003, by section 12(2) of the Immigration Amendment Act (No 2) 2003 (2003 No 47).

    Section 18F(9): amended, on 9 September 2003, by section 12(2) of the Immigration Amendment Act (No 2) 2003 (2003 No 47).

Revocation of residence permits and returning residents' visas

19 Revocation of residence permit by immigration officer
  • (1) Where an immigration officer (acting under delegated authority from the Minister) grants a residence permit to any person as a result of administrative error, or is satisfied on reasonable grounds that any other immigration officer has granted such a permit to any person as a result of such an error, the officer may revoke the permit at any time before the person takes the permit from the arrival hall or office of the Department of Labour in which the error is made and discovered, and every such revocation shall take effect immediately.

    (2) Where a permit is revoked under subsection (1) of this section, and the person is still within the arrival hall in which the error was made and discovered, then, unless some other permit is granted to that person or that person is a New Zealand citizen or is exempt under this Act from the requirement to hold a permit, the provisions of section 128 of this Act shall apply as if that person's application for a permit had been refused.

    (3) A revocation under this section shall be made by endorsement in a form approved by the Minister.

    (4) For the purposes of this section, a residence permit is granted as a result of administrative error if—

    • (a) it is granted to a New Zealand citizen or a person who is exempt under this Act from the requirement to hold a permit; or

    • (b) it is granted to a person to whom section 7 of this act applies; or

    • (c) the person granting it intended to grant a temporary permit of some type rather than the residence permit that was actually granted; or

    • (d) it is granted in contravention of—

      • (i) any special direction; or

      • (ii) any instruction of a kind referred to in section 130(5) of this Act; or

      • (iii) the Government residence policy applicable at the relevant time; or

    • (e) it is granted on the basis of an administrative error (of any of the types referred to in this subsection) in determining an earlier application for a visa or permit.

    Section 19 heading: inserted, on 18 November 1991, by section 9 of the Immigration Amendment Act 1991 (1991 No 113).

    Section 19(1): amended, on 1 October 1996, by section 289(1) of the Customs and Excise Act 1996 (1996 No 27).

    Section 19(2): amended, on 1 October 1996, by section 289(1) of the Customs and Excise Act 1996 (1996 No 27).

    Section 19(4)(d): substituted, on 18 November 1991, by section 10 of the Immigration Amendment Act 1991 (1991 No 113).

    Section 19(4)(d)(iii): amended, on 1 October 1999, by section 17 of the Immigration Amendment Act 1999 (1999 No 16).

    Section 19(4)(e): inserted, on 1 October 1999, by section 17 of the Immigration Amendment Act 1999 (1999 No 16).

20 Revocation of residence permit by Minister
  • (1) The Minister may at any time revoke a residence permit on any of the following grounds, but no other:

    • (a) that the permit was granted as a result of administrative error:

    • (b) that the permit (including any permit deemed by section 44(2) of this Act to be a residence permit) was procured by fraud, forgery, false or misleading representation, or concealment of relevant information:

    • (c) that the permit (including any permit deemed by section 44(2) of this Act to be a residence permit) was granted to a person who had been a holder of a visa or another permit procured by fraud, forgery, false or misleading representation, or concealment of relevant information:

    • (ca) that the permit (including any permit deemed by section 44(2) to be a residence permit) was granted to a person who was, but is no longer, recognised as a refugee in New Zealand, that earlier recognition having been procured by fraud, forgery, false or misleading representation, or concealment of relevant information:

    • (d) that any requirement imposed on the permit holder under section 18A of this Act has not been met.

    (2) Written notice of the revocation of a residence permit under this section shall be served on the holder by personal service only, and the revocation shall, except where the holder appeals against the revocation to the High Court or the Tribunal under section 21 or section 22 of this Act (in which case the provisions of section 23 of this Act shall apply), become effective on the date 21 days after the date of such service.

    (3) Every notice under subsection (2) of this section shall specify the grounds on which the revocation is made.

    (4) Except where the revocation of the permit is made on the ground that the holder is a New Zealand citizen or is exempt under this Act from the requirement to hold a permit, every notice under subsection (2) of this section shall also inform the holder of the permit of—

    • (a) the right to appeal to the High Court under section 21 of this Act against the revocation of the residence permit, and the date by which or period within which that appeal must be brought; and

    • (b) the right to appeal to the Deportation Review Tribunal under section 22 of this Act against the revocation of the residence permit, and the date by which or period within which that appeal must be brought; and

    • (c) the right to apply under section 25(1)(d) of this Act for a temporary permit.

    (5) For the purposes of this section, a residence permit is granted as a result of an administrative error if it is granted in any of the circumstances specified in section 19(4) of this Act.

    Section 20(1): amended, on 15 September 1993, by section 6 of the Immigration Amendment Act 1993 (1993 No 100).

    Section 20(1)(b): amended, on 18 November 1991, by section 11(1) of the Immigration Amendment Act 1991 (1991 No 113).

    Section 20(1)(c): inserted, on 18 November 1991, by section 11(2) of the Immigration Amendment Act 1991 (1991 No 113).

    Section 20(1)(d): inserted, on 18 November 1991, by section 11(2) of the Immigration Amendment Act 1991 (1991 No 113).

    Section 20(1)(ca): inserted, on 1 October 1999, by section 18 of the Immigration Amendment Act 1999 (1999 No 16).

    Section 20(4)(c): amended, on 18 November 1991, by section 11(3) of the Immigration Amendment Act 1991 (1991 No 113).

20A Revocation of returning resident's visa by Minister
  • (1) The Minister may at any time revoke a returning resident's visa on any of the following grounds, but no other:

    • (a) that the visa was granted as a result of administrative error (being the kinds of circumstances specified in section 19(4) of this Act in relation to permits):

    • (b) that the visa was procured by fraud, forgery, false or misleading representation, or concealment of relevant information:

    • (c) that the visa was granted to a person who had been a holder of a permit or another visa procured by fraud, forgery, false or misleading representation, or concealment of relevant information:

    • (ca) that the visa was granted to a person who was, but is no longer, recognised as a refugee in New Zealand, that earlier recognition having been procured by fraud, forgery, false or misleading representation, or concealment of relevant information:

    • (d) that any requirement imposed on the visa holder under section 18A of this Act in relation to the residence permit held or previously held by that person has not been met.

    (2) Subject to subsection (3) of this section, subsections (2) to (5) of section 20 of this Act, and the provisions of sections 21 to 23 of this Act (other than section 22(7) and (8) and section 23(2) and (3)), shall, with any necessary modifications, apply in relation to the revocation of a returning resident's visa under this section as if—

    • (a) references in those provisions to the permit that is the subject of revocation were references to the returning resident's visa; and

    • (b) references in those provisions to section 20(1) of this Act, and the paragraphs within that provision, were references to subsection (1) of this section, and to the corresponding paragraphs within that subsection.

    (3) No appeal shall lie under section 21 or section 22 of this Act in respect of any revocation of a returning resident's visa under this section where—

    • (a) the Minister has within the previous 21 days also revoked the visa holder's residence permit; or

    • (b) within 21 days after the revocation of the visa the Minister revokes the visa holder's residence permit,—

    but, in any such case, the High Court may, in its determination of any appeal in respect of the revocation of the person's residence permit, make such orders as it thinks fit in relation to the revocation of the returning resident's visa.

    Section 20A: inserted, on 18 November 1991, by section 12 of the Immigration Amendment Act 1991 (1991 No 113).

    Section 20A(1)(ca): inserted, on 1 October 1999, by section 19 of the Immigration Amendment Act 1999 (1999 No 16).

21 Appeal to High Court against revocation of residence permit on ground that decision erroneous
  • (1) Subject to subsection (2) of this section, any person whose residence permit is revoked under section 20(1) of this Act may appeal to the High Court against the revocation of the permit.

    (2) Where a residence permit has been revoked under paragraph (b) or paragraph (c) of section 20(1) of this Act, no appeal shall lie under this section where—

    • (a) the person whose residence permit is revoked has been convicted of an offence against paragraph (a) or paragraph (c) or paragraph (d) of section 142 of this Act or a crime against section 111 of the Crimes Act 1961 in respect of anything done for the purpose of procuring the granting of the permit or of any visa or other permit that had been held by the person; and

    • (b) the Minister certifies that the Minister revoked the permit in reliance on that conviction.

    (3) Every appeal under this section shall be brought within 21 days after the date on which notice of the revocation was served on the appellant, and the appellant shall set out in the notice of appeal the ground on which the appeal is made.

    (4) On any appeal under this section, the High Court may quash the revocation if, but only if, it is satisfied that—

    • (a) in the case of a revocation under paragraph (a) of subsection (1) of section 20 of this Act, the permit was not granted as a result of administrative error (within the meaning of that section); or

    • (b) in the case of a revocation under paragraph (b) of that subsection, the permit was not procured by fraud, forgery, false or misleading representation, or concealment of relevant information; or

    • (c) in the case of a revocation under paragraph (c) of that subsection, the visa or other permit concerned was not procured by fraud, forgery, false or misleading information, or concealment of relevant information; or

    • (d) in the case of a revocation under paragraph (d) of that subsection, the requirements imposed on the person were met,—

    and if it is not so satisfied it shall confirm the revocation.

    (5) On any appeal under this section the High Court may in its discretion accept as evidence any statement, document, or information tendered by the appellant or the Minister, whether or not the same would be otherwise admissible in a Court of law.

    (6) [Repealed]

    (7) The decision of the High Court on any appeal under this section shall be final and conclusive.

    (8) Except as expressly provided in this section or in regulations made under this Act, the High Court may regulate its procedure on any appeal under this section in such manner as it thinks fit.

    Section 21(1): amended, on 18 November 1991, by section 13(1)(a) of the Immigration Amendment Act 1991 (1991 No 113).

    Section 21(2): amended, on 18 November 1991, by section 13(1)(b) and (c) of the Immigration Amendment Act 1991 (1991 No 113).

    Section 21(4)(b): amended, on 18 November 1991, by section 13(2) and (3) of the Immigration Amendment Act 1991 (1991 No 113).

    Section 21(4)(c): inserted, on 18 November 1991, by section 13(3) of the Immigration Amendment Act 1991 (1991 No 113).

    Section 21(4)(d): inserted, on 18 November 1991, by section 13(3) of the Immigration Amendment Act 1991 (1991 No 113).

    Section 21(6): repealed, on 15 August 1991, by section 3(4) of the Judicature Amendment Act 1991 (1991 No 60).

22 Appeal on humanitarian grounds to Tribunal against revocation of residence permit
  • (1) Any person whose residence permit is revoked under section 20 of this Act may appeal to the Tribunal against the revocation of the residence permit.

    (2) Every appeal under this section shall be brought within 21 days after the date on which notice of the revocation was served on the appellant.

    (3) A person who appeals under this section shall supply to the Tribunal an address in New Zealand at which any communication relating to the appeal may be served on or supplied to that person.

    (4) Subject to subsection (5) of this section, on any appeal under this section the Tribunal may confirm or quash the revocation of the residence permit, as it thinks fit.

    (5) The Tribunal shall not confirm the revocation of a residence permit under this section if it is satisfied that it would be unjust or unduly harsh for the appellant to lose the right to be in New Zealand indefinitely.

    (6) In determining any appeal under this section, the Tribunal shall have regard to the following matters:

    • (a) the appellant's age:

    • (b) the length of time during which the appellant has been in New Zealand lawfully:

    • (c) the appellant's personal and domestic circumstances:

    • (d) the appellant's work record:

    • (e) the grounds on which the permit was revoked:

    • (f) the interests of the appellant's family:

    • (g) such other matters as the Tribunal considers relevant.

    (7) In any case where the Tribunal confirms the revocation of a residence permit, it may, if it considers in all the circumstances that it should do so, direct that a temporary permit be granted to the appellant to enable the appellant to remain in New Zealand for such period, commencing with the date of the Tribunal's decision and not exceeding 12 months, as the Tribunal may specify.

    (8) Where the Tribunal gives any such direction, it shall notify the appellant, in writing, of—

    • (a) the terms of the direction; and

    • (b) the right of the appellant to the grant of a temporary permit to enable the appellant to remain in New Zealand for the period specified by the Tribunal or such longer period as the Minister may determine, on production to an immigration officer of the appellant's passport or certificate of identity within 21 days after the date on which the appellant is notified of the Tribunal's decision; and

    • (c) the consequences of failing to produce the passport or certificate of identity within the required time, as provided in section 23(3) of this Act.

    (9) Subject to section 117 of this Act, the decision of the Tribunal on any appeal under this section shall be final and conclusive.

    (10) Where a person has appealed under this section and the Tribunal confirms the revocation of the permit,—

    • (a) the person has no right to appeal to the Removal Review Authority under section 47; and

    • (b) unless the Tribunal directs that a temporary permit be granted under subsection (7), the person is liable to removal from New Zealand in accordance with the other provisions of Part 2.

    (11) If the Tribunal has directed that a temporary permit be granted under subsection (7) to an unsuccessful appellant, and the person is subsequently in New Zealand unlawfully,—

    • (a) the person has no right to appeal to the Removal Review Authority under section 47; and

    • (b) the person is liable to removal from New Zealand in accordance with the other provisions of Part 2 at any time after the expiry of the period of 7 days from when the person became unlawfully in New Zealand.

    Section 22(10): inserted, on 1 October 1999, by section 20 of the Immigration Amendment Act 1999 (1999 No 16).

    Section 22(11): inserted, on 1 October 1999, by section 20 of the Immigration Amendment Act 1999 (1999 No 16).

23 Procedure following bringing or determination of appeal
  • (1) Where the Court or the Tribunal quashes the revocation of a residence permit, the residence permit shall remain in full force and effect.

    (2) Where the Tribunal gives a direction under section 22(7) of this Act, an immigration officer shall, on production (which shall be within 21 days after the date of notification to the appellant of the Tribunal's decision) of the appellant's passport or certificate of identity, grant to the appellant a temporary permit enabling the appellant to remain in New Zealand for the period specified by the Tribunal in the direction, or for such longer period as the Minister may determine.

    (3) If the appellant fails without reasonable excuse to produce the appellant's passport or certificate of identity to an immigration officer within 21 days after the date of the notification to the appellant of the Tribunal's decision, the direction of the Tribunal shall be of no further effect.

    (4) Where the Court or the Tribunal confirms the revocation of the residence permit, or the appeal is withdrawn, and no other appeal against the revocation has been successful or is still pending, the revocation shall become effective on the date 21 days after the date of the notification to the appellant of the decision of the Court or the Tribunal, or of the withdrawal of the appeal, as the case may be.

Temporary permits

24 Types of temporary permits
  • (1) The following types of temporary permits may be granted in accordance with this Act:

    • (a) visitors' permits:

    • (b) work permits:

    • (c) student permits.

    (2) A visitor's permit entitles the holder of the permit to be in New Zealand during the currency of the permit for any lawful purpose (such as holidaying, sightseeing, family and social visits, amateur sport, business consultations, or undergoing medical treatment) other than—

    • (a) undertaking employment; or

    • (b) undertaking a course of study or training.

    (3) A work permit entitles the holder of the permit to be in New Zealand or within the exclusive economic zone of New Zealand during the currency of the permit for the purpose of undertaking employment.

    (4) A student permit entitles the holder of the permit to be in New Zealand during the currency of the permit for the purpose of undertaking a course of study or training.

25 Applications for temporary permits
  • (1) The following persons may apply for a temporary permit:

    • (a) any holder of a temporary visa who arrives in New Zealand during the currency of that visa:

    • (b) any person arriving in New Zealand who is exempt from the requirement to apply for and hold a visa to travel to New Zealand:

    • (c) any person who is in New Zealand and is the holder of a current temporary permit (other than a temporary permit that is subject to the condition specified in section 27A(2) of this Act):

    • (d) any person whose residence permit is revoked under section 20 of this Act and who has not appealed against that revocation, where the application for a temporary permit is made before the date on which the revocation is due to become effective.

    • (e) in the case of a pre-cleared temporary permit, any person specified in section 35D(1) of this Act.

    (2) An application for a temporary permit shall be made in the prescribed manner.

    (3) No person who is unlawfully in New Zealand may apply for a temporary permit, and where any such person purports to apply for a temporary permit—

    • (a) the Minister or appropriate immigration officer is under no obligation to consider the application; and

    • (b) whether the application is considered or not,—

      • (i) the Minister or immigration officer is not obliged to give reasons for any decision relating to the application, other than the reason that this subsection applies; and

      • (ii) section 36 of this Act and section 23 of the Official Information Act 1982 shall not apply in respect of the application.

    Section 25: substituted, on 18 November 1991, by section 14 of the Immigration Amendment Act 1991 (1991 No 113).

    Section 25(1)(c): amended, on 1 April 1993, by section 3(3) of the Immigration Amendment Act 1992 (1992 No 88).

    Section 25(1)(e): inserted, on 15 September 1993, by section 7 of the Immigration Amendment Act 1993 (1993 No 100).

26 Currency of temporary permits
  • (1) Subject to a special direction to the contrary, a temporary permit may be granted for any period not exceeding the period prescribed in respect of temporary permits of that type or class by regulations made under this Act.

    (2) Every temporary permit which is not a pre-cleared permit shall be endorsed with—

    • (a) the date on which it comes, or is deemed to have come, into force; and

    • (b) either—

      • (i) the date on which it will expire; or

      • (ii) the period for which it is granted.

    (3) Every pre-cleared temporary permit shall specify the matters required by section 35E(2)(c) and (d) of this Act.

    Section 26(2): amended, on 15 September 1993, by section 8(1) of the Immigration Amendment Act 1993 (1993 No 100).

    Section 26(3): inserted, on 15 September 1993, by section 8(2) of the Immigration Amendment Act 1993 (1993 No 100).

27 Temporary permits to be subject to conditions
  • (1) Every temporary permit shall be subject to such conditions as may be—

    • (a) prescribed by regulations made under this Act at any time before the grant of the permit; or

    • (b) imposed by special direction given at any time before, on, or after the grant of the permit; or

    • (c) stipulated in Government immigration policy published under section 13A, being the policy applicable at the time the decision is made to grant the relevant permit.

    (1A) It may be a precondition to the grant of a temporary permit that a bond be paid in accordance with section 148B.

    (1B) In the case of a bond of a kind that is intended to manage the risk of an applicant remaining in New Zealand beyond the expiry of his or her permit, the relevant visa officer or immigration officer may impose such a bond if, and only if,—

    • (a) the officer identifies such a risk in the particular case; and

    • (b) the officer considers that the imposition of the bond is necessary in the particular case to manage that risk.

    (1C) The fact that a bond has been forfeited in whole or in part does not affect other action taken, or that may be taken, in respect of a failure to comply with a condition imposed under this section, including revocation of a permit under section 32 or section 33.

    (2) No condition imposed under subsection (1)(b) of this section after the grant of the permit shall have any retrospective effect.

    (3) Subject to subsection (7) of this section, it shall be a condition of every temporary permit other than a work permit that the holder shall not undertake employment in New Zealand or within the exclusive economic zone of New Zealand.

    (4) Subject to subsection (7) of this section, and except as may be permitted by or under regulations made under this Act, it shall be a condition of every temporary permit other than a student permit that the holder shall not undertake a course of study or training in New Zealand.

    (5) The Minister may, by special direction given in respect of any temporary permit, impose a condition that the holder shall undertake employment only in such area, or in such industry, trade, occupation, or profession, or with such employer, or a condition relating to any 2 or more of those matters, as the Minister thinks fit.

    (6) The Minister may, by special direction given in respect of any temporary permit, impose a condition that the holder shall undertake a course of study or training only of such type, or at such place, or with or under such person conducting the course of study or training, or a condition relating to any 2 or more of those matters, as the Minister thinks fit.

    (7) The Minister, either on the application of the holder of a temporary permit or of the Minister's own motion, may at any time, by special direction, vary or cancel any condition of the permit (including a condition prescribed by subsection (3) or subsection (4) of this section, but not including the condition specified in section 27A(2) of this Act).

    (8) Where the Minister cancels or varies any condition or imposes any new condition under this section, the Minister shall cause the holder of the permit to be notified accordingly, and that cancellation, variation, or new condition shall take effect from the date specified in the notice.

    Section 27(1A): inserted, on 1 October 1999, by section 21 of the Immigration Amendment Act 1999 (1999 No 16).

    Section 27(1B): inserted, on 1 October 1999, by section 21 of the Immigration Amendment Act 1999 (1999 No 16).

    Section 27(1C): inserted, on 1 October 1999, by section 21 of the Immigration Amendment Act 1999 (1999 No 16).

    Section 27(1)(b): amended, on 9 September 2003, by section 14 of the Immigration Amendment Act (No 2) 2003 (2003 No 47).

    Section 27(1)(c): inserted, on 9 September 2003, by section 14 of the Immigration Amendment Act (No 2) 2003 (2003 No 47).

    Section 27(7): amended, on 1 April 1993, by section 3(4) of the Immigration Amendment Act 1992 (1992 No 88).

27A Temporary permits granted for purposes of Mutual Assistance in Criminal Matters Act 1992
  • (1) This section applies to—

    • (b) a temporary permit—

      • (i) that is granted to a person who, but for the fact that a certificate has been issued under section 13 or section 42(5) of the Mutual Assistance in Criminal Matters Act 1992 in respect of that person, would not have been eligible, under the policy of the Government relating to the granting of temporary permits, for the grant of a temporary permit; and

      • (ii) that is granted for the sole purpose of enabling that person—

        • (A) to be in New Zealand for the purposes of giving or providing evidence or assistance pursuant to a request made pursuant to section 12 of the Mutual Assistance in Criminal Matters Act 1992; or

        • (B) to be transported through New Zealand pursuant to section 42 of that Act.

    (2) A temporary permit to which this section applies may be granted subject to the condition that the holder of the permit has no right to apply for another temporary permit (of whatever type) or a residence permit.

    Section 27A: inserted, on 1 April 1993, by section 3(1) of the Immigration Amendment Act 1992 (1992 No 88).

28 Minister may require applicant for temporary permit to have sponsor
  • (1) Without limiting the Minister's discretion under section 27 of this Act, the Minister may, before granting a temporary permit, require the applicant to supply a written undertaking, in a form approved by the Minister, by any person acceptable to the Minister (in subsection (2) of this section called the sponsor) who is a New Zealand citizen or the holder of a residence permit or is exempt under section 12(1) of this Act from the requirement to hold a permit, relating to the employment, accommodation, maintenance (including the costs of any social services of a kind for which benefits are provided by the State), or repatriation of the applicant and any dependants of the applicant in New Zealand, or to any 2 or more of those matters, or to any other matter or matters specified by the Minister, and otherwise upon such conditions as the Minister may require.

    (2) In the event of the sponsor failing to comply with the whole or any part of the undertaking, the sponsor shall be liable to pay to the Crown all costs and expenses reasonably incurred by the Crown in respect of that failure.

    Section 28(1): amended, on 18 November 1991, by section 15 of the Immigration Amendment Act 1991 (1991 No 113).

29 Change of temporary permit
  • (1) Any person who is the holder of a temporary permit (other than a temporary permit that is subject to the condition specified in section 27A(2) of this Act) may, at any time before the date on which the permit will expire, apply in the prescribed manner for a temporary permit of another type.

    (2) If a temporary permit of another type is granted on an application made under this section, the current temporary permit shall be deemed to be cancelled as from the date on which the new one comes into force.

    Section 29(1): amended, on 1 April 1993, by section 3(5) of the Immigration Amendment Act 1992 (1992 No 88).

30 Further temporary permit
  • (1) Any person who is the holder of a temporary permit (of whatever type, other than a temporary permit that is subject to the condition specified in section 27A(2) of this Act) may, at any time before the date on which the permit will expire, apply in the prescribed manner for a further temporary permit of the same type.

    (2) On an application under this section, the Minister may, with the consent of the applicant, grant a temporary permit of a different type instead of a further temporary permit of the same type.

    (3) If a further temporary permit is granted on an application made under this section, it comes into force on the earlier of—

    • (a) the date of the expiry of the current permit (whether before or after the date of the grant of the new permit); or

    • (b) a date specified by the Minister.

    Section 30(1): amended, on 1 April 1993, by section 3(6) of the Immigration Amendment Act 1992 (1992 No 88).

    Section 30(3): substituted, on 1 October 1999, by section 22 of the Immigration Amendment Act 1999 (1999 No 16).

31 Reconsideration where application for another temporary permit is declined
  • (1) Where an application for another temporary permit under section 29 or section 30 of this Act is declined, the applicant may, at any time while the applicant is the holder of a current temporary permit, apply in the prescribed manner for a reconsideration of the decision.

    (2) The fact that an application for reconsideration has been made under this section shall not of itself entitle the applicant to remain in New Zealand after the date of expiry of the applicant's current temporary permit, but, until any such application for reconsideration has been determined,—

    • (a) no removal order shall be made or (if already made) served in respect of that person; and

    • (b) that person is not liable to be removed under Part 2.

    (3) If the decision to decline the original application was made by the Minister personally, it shall be reconsidered by the Minister personally.

    (4) In any other case, the decision to decline the original application shall be reconsidered by an immigration officer of equal grade or senior to the one who made the decision, or by the Minister.

    (5) If the decision to decline the original application is confirmed and no permit is granted following reconsideration under this section, an immigration officer must inform the applicant, in writing, of—

    • (a) the decision; and

    • (b) in the case of a person who still holds a permit, the date on which the person will have an obligation to leave New Zealand; and

    • (c) in the case of a person who no longer holds a permit, the fact that the person is already obliged to leave New Zealand; and

    • (d) the period within which the applicant may bring an appeal under section 47 against the obligation to leave New Zealand, and the date from which the period runs.

    (6) The result of any reconsideration under this section of a decision to decline an application for another temporary permit shall be final and conclusive, and no further application for reconsideration of that decision shall be made or entertained.

    Section 31(2)(a): substituted, on 18 November 1991, by section 23(2) of the Immigration Amendment Act 1991 (1991 No 113).

    Section 31(2)(b): substituted, on 1 October 1999, by section 23(1) of the Immigration Amendment Act 1999 (1999 No 16).

    Section 31(5): substituted, on 1 October 1999, by section 23(2) of the Immigration Amendment Act 1999 (1999 No 16).

32 Revocation of temporary permit by immigration officer
  • (1) Where an immigration officer (acting under delegated authority from the Minister) grants a temporary permit to any person as a result of administrative error, that permit may be revoked at any time before the person takes the permit from the arrival hall or office of the Department of Labour in which the error is made and discovered, and every such revocation shall take effect immediately.

    (2) Where a permit is revoked under subsection (1) of this section and the person is still within the arrival hall in which the error was made and discovered, then, unless some other permit is granted to that person or that person is a New Zealand citizen or is exempt under this Act from the requirement to hold a permit, the provisions of section 128 (or, if appropriate, section 128B) of this Act shall apply as if that person's application for a permit had been refused.

    (3) A revocation under this section shall be made by endorsement in a form approved by the Minister.

    (4) For the purposes of this section, a temporary permit is granted as a result of administrative error if—

    • (a) it is granted to a New Zealand citizen or a person who is exempt under this Act from the requirement to hold a permit; or

    • (b) it is granted to a person to whom section 7 of this Act applies; or

    • (c) the person granting it intended to grant a permit of some type other than the one that was actually granted; or

    • (d) it is granted in contravention of any special direction, or any instruction of a kind referred to in section 130(5) of this Act; or

    • (da) it is granted contrary to Government policy (in terms of section 13A(1)) that is applicable at the relevant time; or

    • (e) it is granted for a period exceeding the period prescribed for permits of that type by regulations made under this Act; or

    • (f) it is granted on the basis of an administrative error (of any of the types referred to in this subsection) in determining an earlier application for a visa or permit.

    Section 32(1): amended, on 1 October 1996, by section 289(1) of the Customs and Excise Act 1996 (1996 No 27).

    Section 32(2): amended, on 18 November 1993, by section 16 of the Immigration Amendment Act 1991 (1991 No 113).

    Section 32(2): amended, on 1 October 1996, by section 289(1) of the Customs and Excise Act 1996 (1996 No 27).

    Section 32(4)(da): inserted, on 1 October 1999, by section 24(1) of the Immigration Amendment Act 1999 (1999 No 16).

    Section 32(4)(e): amended, on 1 October 1999, by section 24(2) of the Immigration Amendment Act 1999 (1999 No 16).

    Section 32(4)(f): inserted, on 1 October 1999, by section 24(2) of the Immigration Amendment Act 1999 (1999 No 16).

33 Revocation of temporary permit by Minister
  • (1) The Minister may at any time, by notice in writing served on the holder of any temporary permit either by personal service or by registered post addressed to the holder's New Zealand address, revoke the permit.

    (2) A notice given under subsection (1) of this section shall—

    • (a) give the reasons for the revocation of the permit; and

    • (b) in the case of a person to whom subsection (4) of this section applies, notify the person that the revocation is effective immediately upon service of the notice; and

    • (c) in any other case, specify a date by which, unless the holder can show good cause why the permit should not be revoked, the holder is required to leave New Zealand.

    (3) Any date required to be specified by paragraph (c) of subsection (2) of this section shall not be earlier than 14 days after the date on which the notice is served on the holder of the permit and, unless the holder sooner shows good reason why the permit should not be revoked, the revocation shall become effective on that date.

    (4) Where the holder of a temporary permit is a person to whom any of paragraphs (a) to (d) of section 7(1) of this Act applies, any revocation under subsection (1) of this section shall become effective immediately on service of the notice under that subsection.

33A Revocation of temporary permit granted for purposes of Mutual Assistance in Criminal Matters Act 1992
  • (1) Where, pursuant to section 13(2) or section 42(6) of the Mutual Assistance in Criminal Matters Act 1992, the Attorney-General cancels a certificate issued under section 13(1) or section 42(5) of that Act in respect of a person who is the holder of a temporary permit to which section 27A of this Act applies, the Attorney-General shall forthwith notify the Minister of the cancellation of that certificate.

    (2) Where the Minister receives notification, under subsection (1) of this section, in respect of any person who is the holder of a temporary permit, the Minister may, by notice in writing served on the holder of that permit, revoke that permit.

    (3) Any notice given under subsection (2) of this section shall be served by personal service only.

    (4) A notice given under subsection (2) of this section shall—

    • (a) give the reasons for the revocation of the permit; and

    • (b) specify a date by which the holder of the permit is required to leave New Zealand.

    (5) The date required to be specified by subsection (4) of this section shall not be earlier than 7 days after the date on which the notice is served on the holder of the permit, and the revocation shall become effective on the date so specified.

    (6) Nothing in this section shall apply in respect of any permit that is deemed, by section 41 of this Act, to have expired.

    Section 33A: inserted, on 1 April 1993, by section 4 of the Immigration Amendment Act 1992 (1992 No 88).

34 Holder of temporary permit not to remain in New Zealand after expiry of permit
  • Every person to whom a temporary permit is granted and who is in New Zealand after the expiry of the permit shall be deemed for the purposes of this Act to be in New Zealand unlawfully, unless that person is the holder of another permit or is exempt under this Act from the requirement to hold a permit.

Limited purpose permits

34A Limited purpose permits
  • A limited purpose permit is a permit granted to allow its holder to be in New Zealand for an express purpose only.

    Section 34A heading: inserted, on 1 October 1999, by section 25 of the Immigration Amendment Act 1999 (1999 No 16).

    Section 34A: inserted, on 1 October 1999, by section 25 of the Immigration Amendment Act 1999 (1999 No 16).

34B Applications for limited purpose permits
  • (1) The following persons may apply for a limited purpose permit:

    • (a) a holder of a limited purpose visa who arrives in New Zealand during the currency of that visa:

    • (b) a person in New Zealand who is the holder of a current limited purpose permit, if further time is required to achieve the purpose for which that permit was granted.

    (2) An application for a limited purpose permit must be made in the prescribed manner.

    (3) No person who is unlawfully in New Zealand, and no person who is lawfully in New Zealand otherwise than pursuant to a limited purpose permit, may apply for a limited purpose permit. If such a person purports to apply for a limited purpose permit—

    • (a) the Minister or appropriate immigration officer is under no obligation to consider the application; and

    • (b) whether the application is considered or not,—

      • (i) the Minister or immigration officer is not obliged to give reasons for any decisions relating to the application, other than the reason that this subsection applies; and

      • (ii) section 36 of this Act and section 23 of the Official Information Act 1982 do not apply in respect of the application.

    Section 34B: inserted, on 1 October 1999, by section 25 of the Immigration Amendment Act 1999 (1999 No 16).

34C Currency of limited purpose permit
  • (1) Subject to a special direction to the contrary, a limited purpose permit may be granted for such period as—

    • (a) is appropriate to achieve the express purpose for which the permit is granted; and

    • (b) does not exceed the period (if any) prescribed in respect of limited purpose permits of that category by regulations made under this Act.

    (2) Every limited purpose permit must state the latest date on which it will expire.

    (3) If the express purpose for which a limited purpose permit was granted is achieved before the latest date on which it will expire, or if at any time it becomes apparent that the purpose is no longer achievable or has been abandoned by the permit holder,—

    • (a) an immigration officer may give the holder of the permit a notice specifying an earlier expiry date for the permit (which date may in no case be sooner than 14 days after that notice is given to the holder); and

    • (b) the permit then expires on that new expiry date.

    (4) The holder of a limited purpose permit who applies for a further limited purpose permit may be granted the further permit only if further time is required to achieve the express purpose for which the original permit was granted.

    Section 34C: inserted, on 1 October 1999, by section 25 of the Immigration Amendment Act 1999 (1999 No 16).

34D Limitations and conditions on holders of limited purpose permits
  • (1) The holder of a limited purpose permit must leave New Zealand no later than the day that the permit expires.

    (2) The holder of a limited purpose permit may not, whether before or after the expiry of the permit,—

    • (a) apply for a permit of a different type while in New Zealand; or

    • (b) while in New Zealand, request a special direction, or a permit under section 35A; or

    • (c) bring any appeal under this Act, whether to the Removal Review Authority, the Residence Review Board, the Tribunal, or the High Court.

    (3) Every limited purpose permit is to be granted subject to conditions relating to its purpose, and section 27 applies in respect of limited purpose permits, with any necessary modifications, as if—

    • (a) references in that section to temporary permits were references to limited purpose permits; and

    • (b) a limited purpose permit granted for the purpose of employment were a work permit; and

    • (c) a limited purpose permit granted for the purpose of study or training were a student permit.

    Section 34D: inserted, on 1 October 1999, by section 25 of the Immigration Amendment Act 1999 (1999 No 16).

    Section 34D(2)(c): amended, on 9 September 2003, by section 12(2) of the Immigration Amendment Act (No 2) 2003 (2003 No 47).

34E Application of certain temporary permit provisions to limited purpose permits
  • The following provisions apply in respect of limited purpose permits, with any necessary modifications, as if references in those provisions to temporary permits were references to limited purpose permits:

    • (b) section 34 (persons not to remain in New Zealand after expiry of permit):

    • (d) section 37(2) (applicant to supply address for communications):

    • (e) section 38 (evidence of permit to be retained):

    • (f) section 41 (permit deemed to have expired on departure from New Zealand).

    Section 34E: inserted, on 1 October 1999, by section 25 of the Immigration Amendment Act 1999 (1999 No 16).

34F Consequences of remaining in New Zealand after expiry of limited purpose permit
  • A person who is in New Zealand unlawfully following the expiry of a limited purpose permit—

    • (a) may not appeal to the Removal Review Authority under section 47; and

    • (b) is immediately liable to removal under Part 2.

    Section 34F: inserted, on 1 October 1999, by section 25 of the Immigration Amendment Act 1999 (1999 No 16).

General provisions

34G Obligation to inform all relevant facts, including changed circumstances
  • (1) Every person who applies for any type of visa, permit, or exemption under this Act has the obligation to inform an immigration officer of any relevant fact, including any material change in circumstances that occurs after the application is made, if that fact or change in circumstances—

    • (a) may affect the decision on the application; or

    • (b) may affect a decision to grant a permit in reliance on the visa for which the application is made.

    (1A) Every person expressing an interest in obtaining an invitation to apply for residence under section 13E has the obligation to inform a visa officer or an immigration officer of any relevant fact, including any material change in circumstances that occurs after the expression of interest is notified, if that fact or change in circumstances—

    • (a) may affect the decision to issue an invitation to apply for residence; or

    • (b) may affect a decision to issue a residence visa or grant a residence permit as a consequence of the invitation to apply for residence.

    (2) Without limiting the scope of the expression material change in circumstances in subsections (1) and (1A), such a change may relate to the applicant or another person included in the application, and may relate to any matter relevant to the applicable policy.

    (3) Failure to comply with the obligation set out in subsection (1) or subsection (1A)—

    • (b) renders any visa or permit granted subject to cancellation or revocation.

    (4) It is sufficient ground for the Minister or a visa officer or immigration officer to decline to issue a visa or grant a permit to a person if the Minister or officer is satisfied that the person,—

    • (a) whether personally or through an agent, in expressing his or her interest in obtaining an invitation to apply for residence submitted false or misleading information, or withheld relevant information that was potentially prejudicial to the issue of the invitation; or

    • (b) did not ensure that a visa officer or immigration officer was informed of any material change in circumstances between the time of expressing interest and the time of the person's application for the relevant visa or permit; or

    • (c) whether personally or through an agent, in applying for the visa or permit submitted false or misleading information or withheld relevant information that was potentially prejudicial to the issue of the visa or the grant of the permit; or

    • (d) did not ensure that a visa officer or immigration officer was informed of any material change in circumstances between the time of making the application and the time of a decision on the application.

    Section 34G: inserted, on 1 October 1999, by section 26 of the Immigration Amendment Act 1999 (1999 No 16).

    Section 34G(1A): inserted, on 9 September 2003, by section 15(1) of the Immigration Amendment Act (No 2) 2003 (2003 No 47).

    Section 34G(2): amended, on 9 September 2003, by section 15(2)(a) of the Immigration Amendment Act (No 2) 2003 (2003 No 47).

    Section 34G(3): amended, on 9 September 2003, by section 15(2)(b) of the Immigration Amendment Act (No 2) 2003 (2003 No 47).

    Section 34G(4): inserted, on 9 September 2003, by section 15(3) of the Immigration Amendment Act (No 2) 2003 (2003 No 47).

35 Grant of permits
  • (1) Subject to the provisions of this Act, on an application for a permit made in the prescribed manner, the Minister may grant or refuse to grant a permit, as the Minister thinks fit, and may grant such type of permit as the Minister thinks fit regardless of the type for which the application is made.

    (1A) Despite subsection (1), a limited purpose permit may not be granted to a refugee status claimant or a refugee unless that person is at the time the holder of a limited purpose visa or a current limited purpose permit.

    (2) Where an application for a permit is made by or for a person under 17 years of age who is not married or in a civil union, the Minister may decline the application if the Minister believes on reasonable grounds that any parent or guardian of the person does not consent to the making of the application.

    (3) Every permit granted under this Act shall—

    • (a) be in a form approved by the Minister either generally or in any particular case; and

    • (b) except in the case of a pre-cleared permit or a permit granted electronically, be endorsed on the applicant's passport or certificate of identity or, if that is not practicable, given to the applicant in such other manner as the Minister may determine; and

    • (c) in the case of a pre-cleared permit, be entered and retained in the records of the Department of Labour in accordance with section 35E of this Act; and

    • (d) in the case of a permit granted electronically, be entered and retained in the records of the Department of Labour in accordance with section 35AB.

    (4) [Repealed]

    Section 35(1A): inserted, on 1 October 1999, by section 27(1) of the Immigration Amendment Act 1999 (1999 No 16).

    Section 35(2): amended, on 26 April 2005, by section 7 of the Relationships (Statutory References) Act 2005 (2005 No 3).

    Section 35(3)(b): amended, on 15 September 1993, by section 9(1) of the Immigration Amendment Act 1993 (1993 No 100).

    Section 35(3)(b): amended, on 1 October 1999, by section 27(2) of the Immigration Amendment Act 1999 (1999 No 16).

    Section 35(3)(c): inserted, on 15 September 1993, by section 9(2) of the Immigration Amendment Act 1993 (1993 No 100).

    Section 35(3)(c): amended, on 1 October 1999, by section 27(3) of the Immigration Amendment Act 1999 (1999 No 16).

    Section 35(3)(d): inserted, on 1 October 1999, by section 27(3) of the Immigration Amendment Act 1999 (1999 No 16).

    Section 35(4): repealed, on 15 September 1993, by section 17(1) of the Immigration Amendment Act 1993 (1993 No 100).

    Section 35(4)(b): repealed, on 19 December 1989, by section 2 of the Immigration Amendment Act (No 2) 1989 (1989 No 144).

35A Grant of permit in special case
  • (1) The Minister may at any time, of the Minister's own volition, grant a permit of any type to a person who—

    • (a) is in New Zealand; and

    • (b) is required under this Act to hold a permit to be in New Zealand; and

    • (ba) does not hold a permit to be in New Zealand; and

    • (c) is not a person in respect of whom a deportation order is in force; and

    • (d) is not a person in respect of whom a removal order is in force.

    (2) Nothing in subsection (1) of this section confers on any person the right to apply to the Minister for a permit, and where any person purports to apply for a permit under this section,—

    • (a) the Minister is under no obligation to consider the application; and

    • (b) whether the Minister considers the application or not,—

      • (i) the Minister is not obliged to give reasons for any decision relating to the application, other than the reason that this subsection applies; and

      • (ii) section 36 of this Act and section 23 of the Official Information Act 1982 shall not apply in respect of the application.

    Section 35A: inserted, on 18 November 1991, by section 18 of the Immigration Amendment Act 1991 (1991 No 113).

    Section 35A(1)(ba): inserted, on 1 October 1999, by section 28 of the Immigration Amendment Act 1999 (1999 No 16).

35AB Visas and permits may be issued or granted electronically
  • (1) Any type of visa or permit may be issued or granted by being electronically entered and retained in the records of the Department of Labour.

    (2) Every such entry must specify the following information:

    • (a) the name of the visa or permit holder:

    • (b) the passport number of the visa or permit holder or, where the holder is accepted without a passport, the holder's date of birth and nationality (if known):

    • (c) the date on which the visa or permit is issued or granted:

    • (d) either the date on which the visa or permit will expire, or the period for which it is granted:

    • (e) such other matters, including conditions, as may apply in respect of the visa or permit.

    (3) Where a visa or permit is issued or granted in the manner set out in subsection (1), then in the absence of evidence to the contrary the information so entered and retained in the records of the Department of Labour is to be presumed to be correct for the purposes of this Act, notwithstanding any differences between that information and any information contained in any copy of the permit later given to the permit holder.

    (4) A person who holds a permit granted electronically may request a copy of the permit in the prescribed manner, and is entitled on such a request made in New Zealand to receive a copy of the permit in an approved form.

    (5) A person is not entitled to be given a copy of a permit under subsection (4) at any time before the person has left the arrival hall at the Customs place at which the person arrives in New Zealand.

    (6) A permit that is granted electronically may be revoked in the same manner as a pre-cleared permit, and section 35F applies accordingly as if references in that section to pre-cleared permits included references to permits granted electronically.

    Section 35AB: inserted, on 1 October 1999, by section 29 of the Immigration Amendment Act 1999 (1999 No 16).

35AC Deemed extension of certain permits expiring during epidemic
  • (1) This section applies to a temporary permit, a limited purposes permit, or an exemption from the requirement to hold a permit, if—

    • (a) it was in force immediately before the commencement of an epidemic management notice; and

    • (b) but for this section, it would expire before the day 14 days after the day on which the notice expires.

    (2) A temporary permit, limited purposes permit, or exemption to which this section applies must for all purposes be treated as if it continues to be a valid temporary permit, limited purposes permit, or exemption (as the case may be) until the earlier of the following events:

    • (a) its revocation or cessation:

    • (b) the expiration of 3 months after the day on which the epidemic management notice expires.

    (3) Subsection (2) does not require—

    • (a) the endorsement or modification of a permit or exemption; or

    • (b) the issue of a document extending a permit or exemption; or

    • (c) the issue of a new permit or exemption.

    Section 35AC: inserted, on 19 December 2006, by section 5 of the Immigration Amendment Act (No 2) 2006 (2006 No 87).

Special provisions applying to pre-cleared permits

35B Pre-cleared permits
  • (1) A pre-cleared permit is a temporary permit or a residence permit or a limited purpose permit applied for and granted in another country in accordance with this Act to a person intending to travel to New Zealand on a flight designated by the Minister as a pre-clearance flight under section 35C of this Act.

    (2) Except as specifically provided in this Act, the provisions of this section and sections 35C to 35I of this Act apply in relation to pre-cleared permits in addition to and not in derogation from the provisions of sections 16 to 35A or sections 6 to 41 or any other provision of this Act.

    Section 35B heading: inserted, on 15 November 1993, by section 2 of the Immigration Amendment Act 1993 (1993 No 100).

    Section 35B: inserted, on 15 November 1993, by section 2 of the Immigration Amendment Act 1993 (1993 No 100).

    Section 35B(1): amended, on 1 October 1999, by section 30 of the Immigration Amendment Act 1999 (1999 No 16).

35C Minister may designate pre-clearance flights
  • The Minister may from time to time, and in such manner as the Minister considers appropriate, designate as pre-clearance flights any—

    • (a) individual flight to New Zealand from another country; or

    • (b) any class of such flights,—

    and any person intending to travel on any such flight may, subject to this Act, apply for and be granted a pre-cleared permit.

    Section 35C: inserted, on 15 November 1993, by section 2 of the Immigration Amendment Act 1993 (1993 No 100).

35D Applications for pre-cleared permits
  • (1) The following persons may apply under section 25 of this Act for a pre-cleared temporary permit:

    • (a) any person intending to travel on a pre-clearance flight who holds a current student visa, work visa, or visitor's visa and who wishes to be granted a pre-cleared student permit, pre-cleared work permit, or pre-cleared visitor's permit, as the case may be:

    • (b) any person intending to travel on a pre-clearance flight who is exempt from the requirement to apply for and hold a visa to travel to New Zealand and who wishes to be granted a pre-cleared temporary permit.

    (2) The following persons may apply under section 17 of this Act for a pre-cleared residence permit:

    • (a) any person intending to travel on a pre-clearance flight who is the holder of a current residence visa and who wishes to be granted a pre-cleared residence permit:

    • (b) any person intending to travel on a pre-clearance flight who is exempt from the requirement to apply for and hold a residence visa and who wishes to be granted a pre-cleared residence permit.

    (3) The following persons are entitled to be granted a pre-cleared residence permit under section 18 of the Act:

    • (a) any person intending to travel on a pre-clearance flight who—

      • (i) holds a returning resident's visa; and

      • (ii) applies in the prescribed manner for a pre-cleared resident permit during the currency of that visa:

    • (b) any person intending to travel on a pre-clearance flight who—

      • (i) being the holder of a residence permit is granted by the Government of New Zealand a refugee travel document in accordance with the Refugee Convention for the purpose of travel outside New Zealand; and

      • (ii) applies in the prescribed manner for a pre-cleared residence permit during the period of validity of that document.

    (4) An application for a pre-cleared permit shall be made in the prescribed manner.

    Section 35D: inserted, on 15 November 1993, by section 2 of the Immigration Amendment Act 1993 (1993 No 100).

35E Grant of pre-cleared permit
  • (1) A pre-cleared permit shall be granted by being entered and retained (either electronically or otherwise) in the records of the Department of Labour.

    (2) Every pre-cleared permit shall specify—

    • (a) the name of the permit holder:

    • (b) the passport number of the permit holder or, where the person is accepted for travel without a passport, the permit holder's date of birth and nationality (if known):

    • (c) the date on which the permit is granted (being that date in the country in which it is granted):

    • (d) either—

      • (i) the date on which it will expire; or

      • (ii) the period for which it is granted.

    (3) Where a pre-cleared temporary permit specifies the period for which it is granted, rather than the date on which it will expire, that period shall commence to run on and from the date specified in the permit under subsection (2)(c) of this section as if the permit had been granted on that specified date in New Zealand, notwithstanding any date or time differences between New Zealand and the country in which the permit was granted.

    (4) A person who holds a pre-cleared permit may request a copy of the permit in the prescribed manner and, subject to subsection (5) of this section, is entitled on such request made in New Zealand to receive forthwith, in an approved form, a copy of the permit.

    (5) No person who is the holder of a pre-cleared permit is entitled to be given a copy of that permit in the country in which the permit is granted, or while in transit, or at any time before the person has left the arrival hall at the customs airport at which the person arrives in New Zealand.

    (6) Where any pre-cleared permit is granted in the manner set out in subsection (1) of this section, the information so entered and retained in the records of the Department of Labour shall, in the absence of evidence to the contrary, be deemed to be correct for the purposes of this Act, notwithstanding any differences between that information and any information contained in any copy of the permit given to the holder of the permit.

    Section 35E: inserted, on 15 November 1993, by section 2 of the Immigration Amendment Act 1993 (1993 No 100).

    Section 35E(5): amended, on 1 October 1996, by section 289(1) of the Customs and Excise Act 1996 (1996 No 27).

35F Revocation of pre-cleared permit by immigration officer
  • (1) Where any immigration officer is satisfied on reasonable grounds that—

    • (a) a pre-cleared residence permit has been granted to any person as a result of administrative error within the meaning of section 19 of this Act; or

    • (b) a pre-cleared temporary permit or a pre-cleared limited purpose permit has been granted to any person as a result of administrative error within the meaning of section 32 of this Act,—

    the immigration officer may revoke the permit at any time before the person leaves the arrival hall at the customs airport at which the person arrives in New Zealand, and any such revocation shall take effect immediately.

    (2) Where a pre-cleared permit is revoked under this section, then, unless some other permit is granted to the person, or the person is exempt under this Act from the requirement to hold a permit, the provisions of section 128 of this Act shall apply as if the person's application for a permit had been refused.

    (3) A revocation under this section shall be made in a manner approved by the Minister.

    Section 35F: inserted, on 15 November 1993, by section 2 of the Immigration Amendment Act 1993 (1993 No 100).

    Section 35F(1): amended, on 1 October 1996, by section 289(1) of the Customs and Excise Act 1996 (1996 No 27).

    Section 35F(1)(b): amended, on 1 October 1999, by section 31 of the Immigration Amendment Act 1999 (1999 No 16).

35G Expiry of pre-cleared permit in certain circumstances
  • Where the holder of a pre-cleared permit—

    • (a) fails for any reason to travel on the pre-clearance flight in respect of which the permit was granted; or

    • (b) embarks on the pre-clearance flight but, before arriving in New Zealand, is forced to return to the country of embarkation, or land in any country other than New Zealand, whether by reason of any emergency affecting the craft or otherwise,—

    the pre-cleared permit shall be deemed to expire with effect from—

    • (c) the time at which the pre-clearance flight commenced, where the person fails to travel on the pre-clearance flight; or

    • (d) the time at which the pre-clearance flight returns to the country of embarkation, or lands in the country other than New Zealand, in any other case.

    Section 35G: inserted, on 15 November 1993, by section 2 of the Immigration Amendment Act 1993 (1993 No 100).

35H Responsibilities of carrier in relation to pre-clearance flights
  • For the purposes of this Act, the carrier and the person in charge of any craft on a pre-clearance flight shall ensure that all persons boarding the craft at the beginning of the pre-clearance flight—

    • (a) hold a pre-cleared permit; or

    • (b) are exempt under this Act from the requirement to hold a permit; or

    Section 35H: inserted, on 15 November 1993, by section 2 of the Immigration Amendment Act 1993 (1993 No 100).

35I Pre-cleared permit holders not required to undergo immigration procedures on arrival in New Zealand
  • The holder of a pre-cleared permit who arrives in New Zealand on a pre-clearance flight is exempt from the requirement to undergo the immigration procedures specified in section 126(1)(a) of this Act.

    Section 35I: inserted, on 15 November 1993, by section 2 of the Immigration Amendment Act 1993 (1993 No 100).

36 Reasons for refusal to grant permit to be given in writing where requested
  • Except as otherwise provided in this Act, where an applicant so requests, an immigration officer (or, where the decision is the Minister's, the Minister) shall give the reasons in writing for any decision to—

    • (a) refuse to grant a permit to the applicant; or

    • (b) refuse to grant to that applicant a permit of a particular type.

    Section 36: amended, on 18 November 1991, by section 19 of the Immigration Amendment Act 1991 (1991 No 113).

37 Applicant for permit to specify address for service
  • (1) Every applicant for a residence permit shall specify in the application an address in New Zealand at which any communication relating to the application, or to any requirements that may be imposed on the person under section 18A of this Act if a residence permit is granted pursuant to the application, may be served on that person by registered post.

    (2) Every applicant for a temporary permit shall specify in the application an address in New Zealand at which any communication relating to the application, or to any. permit that may be granted pursuant to the application, may be served on that person by registered post in accordance with any of the provisions of this Act.

    (3) The applicant for or the holder of a permit may at any time, by written notice to an immigration officer, substitute a different address for that specified in accordance with subsection (1) or subsection (2) of this section.

    Section 37(1): amended, on 18 November 1991, by section 20(1) of the Immigration Amendment Act 1991 (1991 No 113).

    Section 37(2): amended, on 18 November 1991, by section 20(2) of the Immigration Amendment Act 1991 (1991 No 113).

38 Evidence of permit or exemption to be retained
  • (1) Subject to subsection (3) of this section, every holder of a permit, other than a pre-cleared permit or a permit granted electronically in accordance with section 35AB, shall retain in that person's possession or under that person's control the passport or certificate of identity on which the permit is endorsed, or any other document evidencing or constituting the permit.

    (2) Subject to subsection (3) of this section, every person who is exempt under this Act from the requirement to hold a permit shall retain in that person's possession or under that person's control, while the exemption remains in force, evidence of that person's entitlement to that exemption.

    (3) Subsections (1) and (2) of this section shall not apply in respect of any document or evidence that any person would otherwise be required by this section to retain in that person's possession or under that person's control, where that person has surrendered the document or evidence to any other person in accordance with any lawful requirement and that document or evidence has not yet been returned.

    (4) Where the Minister is satisfied that any passport, certificate of identity, or other document evidencing or constituting a current permit is lost or destroyed, the Minister shall authorise the grant, in such manner and form as the Minister considers appropriate, of a replacement permit.

    Section 38(1): amended, on 15 September 1993, by section 10 of the Immigration Amendment Act 1993 (1993 No 100).

    Section 38(1): amended, on 1 October 1999, by section 32 of the Immigration Amendment Act 1999 (1999 No 16).

39 Responsibility of employers
  • (1) Every employer commits an offence against this Act who allows or continues to allow any person to undertake employment in that employer's service knowing that the person is not entitled under this Act to undertake that employment.

    (1A) Every employer commits an offence against this Act who, without reasonable excuse, allows a person who is not entitled under this Act to undertake employment in the employer's service to undertake that employment.

    (1B) For the purposes of subsection (1A), it is a reasonable excuse for allowing a person who is not entitled under this Act to undertake employment in an employer's service to undertake that employment that the employer concerned did not know that the person was not entitled to undertake that employment, and holds a tax code declaration—

    • (a) that states that the person is entitled under the Immigration Act 1987 to undertake employment in the employer's service; and

    • (b) that was signed by the person before or when that employment began.

    (1C) Except as provided in subsection (1B), for the purposes of subsection (1A), it is not a reasonable excuse for allowing a person who is not entitled under this Act to undertake employment in an employer's service that the employer did not know that the person was not entitled under this Act to undertake that employment.

    (2) An information alleging an offence against this section may specify any day on which it is alleged the person was in the employment of the employer, and it shall not be necessary to state the day on which that employment is alleged to have commenced.

    (3) An employer shall be deemed for the purposes of this section to know that an employee is not entitled under this Act to undertake any particular employment if, at any time within the preceding 12 months, the employer has been informed of that fact in writing by an immigration officer.

    (4) No employer is liable for an offence against subsection (1) or subsection (1A) in respect of any period during which the employer continues to employ any person in compliance with the minimum requirements of any employment agreement (within the meaning of the Employment Relations Act 2000) relating to the giving of notice on termination of employment.

    (5) A person who commits an offence against this section is liable,—

    • (a) in the case of an offence against subsection (1), to a fine not exceeding $50,000:

    • (b) in the case of an offence against subsection (1A), to a fine not exceeding $10,000.

    Sections 39(1A): inserted, on 17 June 2003, by section 4(1) of the Immigration Amendment Act 2002 (2002 No 22).

    Sections 39(1B): inserted, on 17 June 2003, by section 4(1) of the Immigration Amendment Act 2002 (2002 No 22).

    Sections 39(1C): inserted, on 17 June 2003, by section 4(1) of the Immigration Amendment Act 2002 (2002 No 22).

    Section 39(2): amended, on 17 June 2003, by section 4(2) of the Immigration Amendment Act 2002 (2002 No 22).

    Section 39(4): substituted, on 18 November 1991, by section 21 of the Immigration Amendment Act 1991 (1991 No 113).

    Section 39(4): substituted, on 2 October 2000 by section 240 of the Employment Relations Act 2000 (2000 No 24).

    Section 39(4): amended, on 17 June 2003, by section 4(3) of the Immigration Amendment Act 2002 (2002 No 22).

    Section 39(5): inserted, on 17 June 2003, by section 4(4) of the Immigration Amendment Act 2002 (2002 No 22).

39A Exploitation of people not legally entitled to work
  • (1) Every employer commits an offence against this Act who,—

    • (a) while allowing an unlawful employee to undertake employment in the employer's service,—

      • (i) is responsible for a serious failure to pay to the employee money payable under the Holidays Act 2003; or

    • (b) while allowing an unlawful employee to undertake employment in the employer's service, takes an action with the intention of preventing or hindering the employee from—

      • (i) leaving that employment; or

      • (ii) leaving New Zealand; or

      • (iii) ascertaining or seeking his or her entitlements under the law of New Zealand; or

      • (iv) disclosing to any person the circumstances of his or her employment by the employer.

    (2) The following are examples of actions of the kinds referred to in subsection (1)(b):

    • (a) taking or retaining possession or control of a person's passport, any other travel or identity document, or travel tickets:

    • (b) preventing or hindering a person from—

      • (i) having access to a telephone; or

      • (ii) using a telephone; or

      • (iii) using a telephone privately; or

      • (iv) leaving premises; or

      • (v) leaving premises unaccompanied; or

    • (c) preventing or hindering a labour inspector (within the meaning of the Employment Relations Act 2000) from entering or having access to any place or premises to which he or she is entitled to have access under any enactment.

    (3) Subsection (2) does not limit the generality of subsection (1)(b).

    (4) For the purposes of subsection (1)(a), the following are questions of fact:

    • (a) whether a failure to pay to a person money payable under the Holidays Act 2003 is serious:

    (5) For the purposes of subsection (1)(a), the following matters may be taken into account in deciding whether a failure, default, or contravention is serious:

    • (a) the amount of money involved:

    • (b) whether it comprises a single instance or a series of instances:

    • (c) if it comprises a series of instances,—

      • (i) how many instances it comprises:

      • (ii) the period over which they occurred:

    • (d) whether or not it was intentional:

    • (e) whether the employer concerned has complied with the record-keeping obligations imposed by the Act concerned:

    • (f) any other relevant matter.

    (6) An information alleging an offence against subsection (1) may specify any day on which it is alleged the person was in the employment of the employer, and it is not necessary to state the day on which that employment is alleged to have commenced.

    (7) For the purposes of this section, an employer must be treated as knowing that an employee is not entitled under this Act to undertake any particular employment if, at any time within the preceding 12 months, the employer has been informed of that fact in writing by an immigration officer.

    (8) A person who commits an offence against subsection (1) is liable on conviction to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 7 years, a fine not exceeding $100,000, or both.

    (9) In this section, unlawful employee, in relation to an employer, means a person whom the employer knows is not entitled under this Act to undertake employment in the employer's service.

    Section 39A: inserted, on 18 June 2002, by section 5 of the Immigration Amendment Act 2002 (2002 No 22).

    Section 39A(1)(a)(i): amended, on 1 April 2004, by section 91(2) of the Holidays Act 2003 (2003 No 129).

    Section 39A(4)(a): amended, on 1 April 2004, by section 91(2) of the Holidays Act 2003 (2003 No 129).

40 Responsibility of persons conducting courses of study or training
  • (1) Every person conducting any course of study or training commits an offence against this Act who allows or continues to allow any other person to undertake the course knowing that that other person is not entitled under this Act to undertake that course.

    (2) An information alleging an offence against subsection (1) of this section may specify any day on which it is alleged the student or trainee was undertaking the course of study or training, and it shall not be necessary to state the day on which it is alleged that the student or trainee commenced to undertake the course.

    (3) A person shall be deemed for the purposes of this section to know that a student or trainee is not entitled under this Act to undertake a course of study or training in New Zealand if, at any time within the preceding 12 months, that person has been informed of that fact in writing by an immigration officer.

    Section 40(1): amended, on 1 January 1990, by section 4(4) of the Education Amendment Act 1989 (1989 No 156).

41 Permit or exemption deemed to have expired on departure from New Zealand
  • (1) When the holder of a permit leaves New Zealand, the permit shall be deemed to have expired.

    (2) When a person who is exempt under this Act from the requirement to hold a permit leaves New Zealand, the exemption shall be deemed to have expired.

Transitional provisions

42 Certain persons in New Zealand at commencement of this Act may apply for permit
  • [Repealed]

    Section 42: repealed, on 1 October 1999, by section 33 of the Immigration Amendment Act 1999 (1999 No 16).

43 Applications for certain permits pending at commencement of this Act
  • [Repealed]

    Section 42: repealed, on 1 October 1999, by section 33 of the Immigration Amendment Act 1999 (1999 No 16).

    Sections 43 and 43 were repealed, as from 1 October 1999, by section 33 Immigration Amendment Act 1999 (1999 No 16).

44 General transitional provisions
  • (1) Every person who—

    • (a) arrived in New Zealand lawfully for the purpose of permanent residence at any time before the 2nd day of April 1974 otherwise than pursuant to a permit granted under the Immigration Act 1964 or any former corresponding Act; and

    • (b) has been in New Zealand continuously from that date, apart from any period or periods spent in—

      • (i) the Cook Islands, Niue, or Tokelau; or

      • (ii) Australia, where during any such period the person was a Commonwealth citizen or a citizen of the Republic of Ireland and was able to reside in either New Zealand or Australia without restriction; and

    • (c) was in New Zealand immediately before the commencement of this Act; and

    • (d) is not exempt under this Act from the requirement to hold a permit,—

    shall be deemed for the purposes of this Act to be the holder of a residence permit granted under this Act, and on application in the prescribed manner an immigration officer shall endorse that person's passport or certificate of identity accordingly.

    (2) Every permit granted for the purpose of permanent residence at any time before the commencement of this Act under the Immigration Act 1964 or any former corresponding enactment to any person who—

    • (a) has been in New Zealand continuously from the date on which that permit was granted until the commencement of this Act, apart from any period or periods spent in—

      • (i) the Cook Islands, Niue, or Tokelau; or

      • (ii) Australia, where during any such period the person was a Commonwealth citizen or a citizen of the Republic of Ireland, and was able to reside in either New Zealand or Australia without restriction; and

    • (b) was in New Zealand immediately before the commencement of this Act, and was at that time resident in New Zealand by virtue of that permit,—

    shall be deemed for the purposes of this Act to be a residence permit granted under this Act.

    (3) Where, at any time before the commencement of this Act, any person acting on behalf of the Government of New Zealand has endorsed any other person's passport or certificate of identity to the effect that that other person would be authorised, at any time within a specified period, to enter New Zealand for the purpose of permanent residence, that endorsement shall be deemed for the purposes of section 17 of this Act to be a residence visa.

    (4) Where, at any time before the commencement of this Act, any person acting on behalf of the Government of New Zealand has endorsed any other person's passport or certificate of identity to the effect that that other person would be authorised, at any time within a specified period, to enter New Zealand temporarily, that endorsement shall be deemed for the purposes of section 25 of this Act to be a temporary visa.

    (5) Every permit granted otherwise than for the purpose of permanent residence under section 14 or section 14B or section 15 of the Immigration Act 1964 and still current immediately before the commencement of this Act shall be deemed for the purposes of this Act,—

    • (a) in the case of a permit under which employment in New Zealand was permitted, to be a work permit granted under this Act; or

    • (b) in the case of a permit granted to authorise the holder to enter New Zealand for the purpose of undertaking any course of study or training, to be a student permit granted under this Act; or

    • (c) in the case of any other permit, to be a visitor's permit granted under this Act.

    (6) Notwithstanding anything in section 26 of this Act, every permit and every endorsement to which any of subsections (3) to (5) of this section applies shall expire on the date on which it would have expired had this Act not been passed, and, until its expiry, shall, subject to section 27 of this Act, continue to be subject to the same conditions as it was subject to immediately before the commencement of this Act.

Part 2
Persons in New Zealand unlawfully

Obligation of persons unlawfully in New Zealand to leave

  • Part 2: substituted, on 1 October 1999, by section 34 of the Immigration Amendment Act 1999 (1999 No 16).

45 Obligation of persons unlawfully in New Zealand to leave New Zealand
  • (1) From the moment that a person is in New Zealand unlawfully until that person leaves New Zealand, he or she has an obligation to leave New Zealand unless subsequently granted a permit.

    (2) The obligation created by subsection (1) arises whether the person came to be in New Zealand unlawfully as a result of the expiry or revocation of a permit, their entry into New Zealand without a permit or exemption, ceasing to be exempt from the requirement to hold a permit, their loss of New Zealand citizenship, or otherwise.

    (3) The obligation to leave created by subsection (1) arises whether or not the person is aware of the obligation, or of the implications of not meeting it, and—

    • (a) that obligation, and any liability of the person to removal or other action under this Part, is not affected by any failure or alleged failure of the chief executive to communicate the obligation and related implications under section 46 (or section 70(4)); but

    • (b) nothing in paragraph (a) prevents any action from being brought in respect of such a failure or alleged failure in proceedings that are not directed towards preventing the removal of any person.

    Section 45: substituted, on 1 October 1999, by section 34 of the Immigration Amendment Act 1999 (1999 No 16).

46 Duty of chief executive to communicate obligation to leave New Zealand
  • (1) The chief executive of the Department of Labour must communicate to persons who are seeking visas to come to New Zealand or permits to be in New Zealand—

    • (a) the obligation to leave New Zealand created by section 45(1); and

    • (b) the implications for persons who fail to meet that obligation.

    (2) Without limiting the means by which the chief executive may communicate those matters, he or she must provide the relevant information required by subsection (1)—

    • (a) at offices where visas or permits are issued or granted, by way of notices that can be readily seen by persons to whom it is likely to be of relevance:

    • (b) on application forms for temporary visas and permits and limited purpose visas and permits:

    • (c) in arrival halls at Customs places, by way of notices that can be readily seen by all arriving temporary entrants:

    • (d) on informational material provided by the Department to persons who are interested in coming to New Zealand temporarily:

    • (e) on any notice revoking a permit.

    (3) The chief executive is to decide whether the information to be communicated under subsection (2) should be communicated in more than 1 language, and, if so, which languages should be used.

    (4) Any temporary visa or permit or limited purpose visa or permit issued or granted to any person after the commencement of this Part (other than a visa or permit granted electronically) must contain the following words, or words to similar effect:

    You must leave New Zealand before expiry of your permit, or face removal.

    Section 46: substituted, on 1 October 1999, by section 34 of the Immigration Amendment Act 1999 (1999 No 16).

    Section 46(5)(b): substituted, on 18 November 1991, by section 23(2) of the Immigration Amendment Act 1991 (1991 No 113).

    Section 46(5)(c): substituted, on 18 November 1991, by section 23(2) of the Immigration Amendment Act 1991 (1991 No 113).

Appeal against requirement to leave, etc

47 Appeal against requirement to leave New Zealand
  • (1) A person who is unlawfully in New Zealand may appeal to the Removal Review Authority against the requirement for that person to leave New Zealand.

    (2) The appeal must be brought within 42 days after the later of—

    • (a) the day on which the person became unlawfully within New Zealand; or

    • (b) the day on which the person received notification under section 31 of the confirmation of the decision to decline to issue a permit, in the case of a person who, while still lawfully in New Zealand, had lodged an application under section 31 for reconsideration of a decision to decline another temporary permit.

    (3) An appeal may be brought only on the grounds that there are exceptional circumstances of a humanitarian nature that would make it unjust or unduly harsh for the person to be removed from New Zealand, and that it would not in all the circumstances be contrary to the public interest to allow the person to remain in New Zealand.

    (4) For the purposes of subsection (3), the mere fact that a person's circumstances are such that the person would meet any applicable Government residence policy requirements for the grant of a residence permit does not in itself constitute exceptional circumstances of a humanitarian nature.

    (5) The following persons may not appeal under this section:

    • (a) a person who is unlawfully in New Zealand by reason of having returned to New Zealand while a removal order is in force in respect of the person:

    • (b) a person who is unlawfully in New Zealand by reason of the expiry of a limited purpose permit:

    • (c) a person who is unlawfully in New Zealand following the revocation of their residence permit being confirmed by the Deportation Review Tribunal:

    • (e) a person unlawfully in New Zealand to whom section 114K(4)(b) applies (which provision relates to a person in respect of whom a security risk certificate has been confirmed).

    Section 47: substituted, on 1 October 1999, by section 34 of the Immigration Amendment Act 1999 (1999 No 16).

    Section 47(1): amended, on 18 November 1991, by section 23(2) of the Immigration Amendment Act 1991 (1991 No 113).

48 How to appeal
  • (1) An appeal under section 47 must—

    • (a) be made in the prescribed manner; and

    • (b) be brought within the 42-day period referred to in section 47(2); and

    • (c) be accompanied by the prescribed fee (if any).

    (2) In the notice of appeal the appellant must—

    • (a) set out all the grounds and the full circumstances on which the appeal is based; and

    • (b) include an address in New Zealand at which any communication relating to the appeal may be notified to the appellant; and

    • (c) include the address in New Zealand at which the appellant is physically residing.

    (3) If an address included in the notice of appeal changes, the appellant must immediately notify the Authority in writing of the change of address. The Authority may rely on the latest address provided for the purpose of communications under this Part.

    (4) The Authority must not consider an appeal under section 47 unless it has been made in the prescribed manner, been brought within the 42-day period referred to in section 47(2), and been accompanied by the prescribed fee (if any).

    (5) An appeal under section 47 may at any time be withdrawn by notice in writing to the Authority.

    Section 48: substituted, on 1 October 1999, by section 34 of the Immigration Amendment Act 1999 (1999 No 16).

    Section 48(1): amended, on 18 November 1991, by section 23(2) of the Immigration Amendment Act 1991 (1991 No 113).

49 Removal Review Authority
  • (1) For the purposes of this Act there continues to be a Removal Review Authority.

    (2) The function of the Authority is solely to determine appeals brought under section 47 against the requirement to leave New Zealand.

    (3) The Authority consists of such number of members, being barristers or solicitors of the High Court who have held practising certificates for at least 5 years, as the Governor-General determines from time to time on the advice of the Minister.

    (4) The members are appointed by the Governor-General on the advice of the Minister.

    (5) For the purposes of any appeal before it, the Authority consists of 1 member.

    (6) The provisions set out in Schedule 3B apply in relation to the Authority.

    (7) The persons who are members of the Authority immediately before the commencement of this section continue to be members of the Authority.

    Section 49: substituted, on 1 October 1999, by section 34 of the Immigration Amendment Act 1999 (1999 No 16).

    Section 49(1): substituted, on 18 November 1991, by section 23(2) of the Immigration Amendment Act 1991 (1991 No 113).

    Section 49(2): amended, on 18 November 1991, by section 23(2) of the Immigration Amendment Act 1991 (1991 No 113).

50 Procedure in appeals
  • (1) An appeal to the Authority under section 47 is to be determined by the Authority on the papers and with all reasonable speed.

    (2) On any such appeal—

    • (a) it is the responsibility of the appellant to ensure that all information, evidence, and submissions that the appellant wishes to have considered in support of the appeal are received by the Authority within the 42-day period for bringing the appeal; and

    • (b) the Authority is not obliged to consider any information supplied by the appellant after that period, other than information provided by way of rebuttal or comment under subsection (6); and

    • (c) the Authority may treat the material provided by the appellant as constituting the full appeal, and is not obliged to give the appellant an opportunity to develop the appeal further.

    (3) On the lodging of an appeal under section 47,—

    • (a) the Authority must give to the chief executive a copy of the notice of appeal and any information, evidence, or submissions lodged by the appellant; and

    • (b) the Authority must allow the chief executive a specified time to—

      • (i) lodge with the Authority any file relating to the appellant that is held by the chief executive; and

      • (ii) lodge such other information, evidence, and submissions in relation to the matter under appeal as the chief executive thinks fit.

    (4) In determining the appeal, the Authority—

    • (a) may seek and receive such information as it thinks fit, and consider information from any source; but

    • (b) may not consider any information which relates to matters arising after the date the appeal was lodged unless it is satisfied that there are exceptional circumstances that justify the consideration of such matters.

    (5) The Authority must disclose to the appellant any material or information that the Authority proposes to take into account in determining the appeal if that material or information—

    • (a) is or may be prejudicial to the appellant; and

    • (b) is material lodged with the Authority by the chief executive, or is information obtained by the Authority from a source other than the appellant.

    (6) The Authority must give the appellant an opportunity to rebut or comment on any material or information disclosed under subsection (5) within such reasonable time as the Authority specifies.

    (7) Subsections (5) and (6) do not require the Authority to disclose to the appellant any material or information whose disclosure would be likely to endanger the safety of any person, but the Authority must notify the appellant of the fact of any such non-disclosure.

    Section 50: substituted, on 1 October 1999, by section 34 of the Immigration Amendment Act 1999 (1999 No 16).

    Section 50: substituted, on 18 November 1991, on 18 November 1991, by section 23(1)of the Immigration Amendment Act 1991 (1991 No 113).

51 Decision on appeal
  • (1) As soon as practicable after coming to a decision on an appeal, the Authority must notify both the appellant and the chief executive in writing of its decision and the reasons for that decision.

    (2) Except as provided in section 115A (which allows an appeal on a question of law), the decision of the Authority on an appeal is final.

    (3) Unless a court otherwise directs, the Authority has no jurisdiction to reconsider an appeal after the appellant has been notified of its decision.

    Section 51: substituted, on 1 October 1999, by section 34 of the Immigration Amendment Act 1999 (1999 No 16).

    Section 51: substituted, on 18 November 1991, on 18 November 1991, by section 23(1)of the Immigration Amendment Act 1991 (1991 No 113).

52 Where appeal allowed
  • (1) Where the Authority decides that an appeal should be allowed, it may direct an immigration officer to take such steps as it considers necessary to give effect to its decision.

    (2) Without limiting subsection (1), the Authority may direct an immigration officer to grant the successful appellant—

    • (a) a residence permit subject to such requirements (if any) as the Authority may determine; or

    • (b) a temporary permit for such period and subject to such conditions (if any) as the Authority may determine.

    (3) For the avoidance of doubt, the Authority may direct an immigration officer to grant the successful applicant a permit, and an immigration officer must accordingly grant the permit, even though the applicant is a person who would normally be prohibited from being granted a permit under section 7(1).

    (4) The Authority may direct the imposition of any requirement on the grant of a residence permit that it thinks fit having regard to the reasons why the appellant was able to demonstrate exceptional circumstances of a humanitarian nature or why it was not contrary to the public interest to allow the appellant to remain in New Zealand, whether or not the requirement is of a kind authorised under Government residence policy at the time.

    (5) Section 18A(4) to (7) applies to any requirement imposed under this section as if it were imposed under that section.

    (6) The chief executive must ensure that the terms of a direction given under this section are complied with.

    Section 52: substituted, on 1 October 1999, by section 34 of the Immigration Amendment Act 1999 (1999 No 16).

    Section 52: substituted, on 18 November 1991, on 18 November 1991, by section 23(1)of the Immigration Amendment Act 1991 (1991 No 113).

52A Cancellation of removal order by immigration officer
  • [Repealed]

    Section 52A: inserted, on 18 November 1991, by section 23(1) of the Immigration Amendment Act 1991 (1991 No 113).

Liability for removal

53 Liability for removal
  • (1) A person unlawfully in New Zealand may be the subject of a removal order, and is liable to be removed from New Zealand under this Part, if—

    • (a) the person (not being a person who has an appeal pending under section 47 or section 115A) has been unlawfully in New Zealand—

      • (i) for a period of 42 consecutive days; or

      • (ii) in the case of a person who, while still lawfully in New Zealand, had lodged an application under section 31 for reconsideration of a decision to decline another temporary permit, for a period of 42 consecutive days following the day on which the person received notification under section 31 of the confirmation of the decision to decline to grant another temporary permit, if that day was later than the day on which the person became unlawfully in New Zealand; or

    • (b) an appeal under section 47 (including a further appeal, if any, to the High Court under section 115A or the Court of Appeal under section 116) has been determined against the person, and the person is still unlawfully in New Zealand 7 days after the decision has been notified to the person (or, if appropriate, 7 days after becoming unlawfully in New Zealand following the expiry or cancellation of any temporary permit directed to be granted under section 22(7)); or

    • (c) the person is unlawfully in New Zealand by reason of the expiry of a limited purpose permit; or

    • (d) the person is in New Zealand while a previously executed removal order is still in force in respect of the person; or

    • (f) the person is a person to whom section 114K(4)(b) applies (which provision relates to a person in respect of whom a security risk certificate has been confirmed).

    (2) This section is subject to—

    • (a) section 70 (which relates to persons unlawfully in New Zealand immediately before 1 October 1999); and

    • (b) section 129X (which relates to refugee status claimants).

    (3) Nothing in this Part is to be construed as preventing voluntary departure from New Zealand at any time before a removal order is made and served.

    Section 53: substituted, on 1 October 1999, by section 34 of the Immigration Amendment Act 1999 (1999 No 16).

    Section 53(1): amended, on 18 November 1991, by section 24(1)(a) of the Immigration Amendment Act 1991 (1991 No 113).

    Section 53(1)(a): amended, on 18 November 1991, by section 24(1)(b) and (c) of the Immigration Amendment Act 1991 (1991 No 113).

    Section 53(1)(b): amended, on 18