NZ First Immigration Policies: What New Zealand Migrants Should Know

NZ First has announced a significant immigration policy platform ahead of the election, including proposed changes to citizenship, permanent residence, deportation settings, overstayers, asylum rules, student visas and annual resident visa numbers. The party says its approach is based on the view that immigration should serve New Zealand and New Zealanders, and that immigration is “a privilege, not a right”.

For migrants, employers, students and families planning a New Zealand Visa pathway, the most important point is that these are election policy proposals. They are not confirmed Immigration NZ operational changes at this stage. Visa rules, eligibility settings and application requirements remain those published by Immigration NZ unless and until any law or policy is formally changed.

What has changed

The immediate change is political rather than legal: NZ First has set out 14 immigration-related policies it says it would take to the election. According to the NZ Herald report, the proposals aim to place higher value on New Zealand citizenship, make citizenship harder to obtain, limit some rights for visa holders, and reduce what the party describes as non-essential immigration.

A major part of the platform is deportation. NZ First proposes automatic deportation, with no appeal, for non-citizens found guilty of violent or sexual crimes, fraud, participation in an organised criminal group, money laundering, aiding and abetting under the Immigration Act, or migrant exploitation. It also proposes widening deportation criteria to cover any offence for which a non-citizen could be imprisoned, although appeals would remain available in those cases.

The report notes the current coalition has been progressing a bill to extend from 10 to 20 years the period during which a resident visa holder convicted of a serious offence may be liable for deportation. NZ First’s proposed policy would not be time-limited, according to the article.

NZ First also proposes measures for people who have overstayed their visas. The party refers to a 2025 Immigration NZ estimate of almost 21,000 overstayers. Its platform includes a proposed two-year amnesty for overstayers to self-deport without restrictions on future applications to return. If they remain beyond that period, they would be deported and permanently ineligible for future visas. The platform also includes a separate two-year clemency period for Pasifika overstayers to remain in New Zealand on a valid visa, reflecting New Zealand’s regional relationships.

The party has also proposed increasing Immigration NZ compliance funding by $200 million over four years, funded mainly from future operating allowances. It says this would support enforcement and compliance work.

What this means for migrants

Several proposals could be relevant to people already in New Zealand, people planning to move to New Zealand, and families considering long-term settlement. NZ First wants to change birthright citizenship so that only children of citizens would be automatically entitled to citizenship at birth. The current criteria are broader and can apply where at least one parent holds a visa allowing them to reside in New Zealand indefinitely.

The platform also proposes increasing application costs and qualifying periods. Citizenship application fees would increase from $641 to $950, while permanent resident visa application fees would double to $630. NZ First says the extra revenue, estimated at $8 million to $10 million, would be directed back into enforcement. The qualifying period for citizenship would increase from five years to 10 years, and the period for permanent resident visa applications would increase from two years to five years.

Other proposals include prioritising citizens over permanent residents for social housing placements, introducing a 10-year welfare stand-down period for non-citizens, and holding a referendum on whether annual resident visa numbers should be capped at 20,000. The proposed referendum would also include questions about linking immigration settings to infrastructure capacity and population growth planning.

Student visa holders are also mentioned. NZ First proposes that student visa holders who want to transition to another visa should leave New Zealand and apply offshore. The party also proposes removing automatic work rights, while noting existing agreements, including the India Free Trade Agreement, would be exempt from that part of the policy.

The platform also proposes changes to asylum settings, including a two-year temporary residence permit with extensions considered case by case, and removing the ability for people granted asylum to apply for permanent residence or citizenship. It also says asylum claims from people on working-class visas would be denied. The article reports that NZ First did not outline exactly what legislation would need to be amended or what new laws would be required.

What to do next

If you are considering a New Zealand Visa, applying for residence, planning permanent residence, studying in New Zealand, or supporting family members, avoid making decisions based only on political announcements. Immigration policy can change, but changes generally require formal decisions, implementation dates, instructions and, in some cases, legislation.

Keep checking official Immigration NZ updates and make sure your application strategy is based on current rules. If you may be affected by character issues, overstaying, study-to-work planning, family residence, citizenship timing or permanent residence timing, it is sensible to get personalised guidance before taking any major step.

Immigration Management can help you understand your current options and connect you with the right professional support. You can get matched with a licensed immigration adviser for guidance based on your personal situation.

Ready to move to New Zealand? Start your assessment to get matched with a licensed immigration adviser suited to your situation.