New Zealand immigration involves many specialized terms, acronyms, and concepts. This glossary explains the most important terms in plain English to help you understand your immigration journey.
A
Accredited Employer An employer approved by Immigration New Zealand to hire migrant workers under the AEWV system. Must meet workplace standards and have current accreditation status.
AEWV (Accredited Employer Work Visa) The main work visa for skilled migrants coming to work for a New Zealand employer. Replaced the Essential Skills visa in 2022.
ANZSCO (Australian and New Zealand Standard Classification of Occupations) The system used to classify occupations by skill level. Used to determine if a role qualifies as "skilled" for immigration purposes.
Application for Reconsideration A formal request for INZ to review a declined visa application, usually with new information or evidence.
ASH (Acceptable Standard of Health) The health standard that most visa applicants must meet. Considers risk to public health and potential cost to health services.
B
Ballot A random selection process used for some visa categories (like Parent Resident Visa) when demand exceeds available places.
Border Exception (Historical — no longer in use) A special approval to enter New Zealand when the border was restricted during the COVID-19 pandemic (2020–2022). Border exceptions are no longer issued.
C
Character Waiver A request for INZ to grant a visa despite not meeting standard character requirements, based on special circumstances.
Conditional Resident Visa A type of residence visa with specific conditions that must be met before full residence is granted.
Conditions (Visa Conditions) The rules attached to your visa specifying what you can and cannot do, such as work rights, location restrictions, or travel conditions.
D
De Facto Relationship An unmarried partnership where two people live together in a genuine relationship. Recognized for partnership visa purposes.
Deportation Order A formal order requiring a person to leave New Zealand, usually due to unlawful residence or serious visa breaches.
Dependent Child A child who is unmarried, without children of their own, and financially dependent on a parent who is applying for or holds a visa.
E
ENZ (Education New Zealand) The government agency promoting New Zealand education internationally. Not involved in visa decisions.
EOI (Expression of Interest) The first step in applying for Skilled Migrant Category residence. You submit your points claim and are selected if you meet the threshold.
Essential Skills Visa Previous work visa category (pre-2022) replaced by the AEWV system.
F
Free Movement The ability of Australian and New Zealand citizens to live and work in either country without visas, under the Trans-Tasman Travel Arrangement.
Full Licence (IAA) A licensed immigration adviser with full practicing rights. Required for providing immigration advice for gain.
G
Good Character The character standard for most visas. Requires you not be a risk to NZ security or public interest, usually proven through police certificates.
Green List The list of occupations in sustained shortage, providing accelerated residence pathways for visa applicants in these roles.
H
High-Volume Accreditation Employer accreditation for businesses hiring 6 or more migrant workers. Requires additional HR and settlement support obligations.
I
IAA (Immigration Advisers Authority) The government body that licenses and regulates immigration advisers in New Zealand.
IHC Threshold Standard used to assess public health cost implications—whether a person's health care needs are likely to exceed $81,000 over 5 years.
Immigration Officer An INZ staff member who processes visa applications and makes visa decisions.
INZ (Immigration New Zealand) The government agency responsible for processing visa applications, setting immigration policy, and border control.
ITA (Invitation to Apply) The invitation you receive to submit a full residence application after your EOI is selected in the Skilled Migrant Category.
IVL (International Visitor Conservation and Tourism Levy) A levy charged to most visitors to help fund tourism infrastructure and conservation. Currently NZ$100.
J
Job Check The second stage of the AEWV process where the specific job role is approved, confirming genuine shortage and appropriate conditions.
Job Token The code issued after Job Check approval, used by the migrant applicant when applying for their AEWV.
L
Label (Visa Label) The physical sticker placed in a passport showing visa grant. Most visas are now electronic and don't require labels.
Licensed Immigration Adviser A person authorized by the IAA to provide immigration advice for payment. Required by law for non-exempt advisers.
M
Median Wage The mid-point wage in New Zealand (currently NZ$35.00/hour). Many visa categories require pay at or above this level.
Medical Certificate Health examination documentation from an INZ-approved panel physician.
Medical Waiver A request for INZ to grant a visa despite not meeting standard health requirements, based on special circumstances.
N
NZIS (New Zealand Immigration Service) Former name for what is now Immigration New Zealand (INZ).
NZQA (NZ Qualifications Authority) The body that assesses overseas qualifications for equivalency to NZ qualifications.
NZeTA (NZ Electronic Travel Authority) Electronic travel permission for visa waiver nationals visiting NZ for short stays.
O
Onshore Applying for a visa while already in New Zealand (as opposed to offshore/from overseas).
Open Work Visa A work visa allowing employment with any employer in any role (e.g., Post-Study Work Visa, some partner visas).
Operational Manual INZ's detailed policy guidance document setting out how immigration instructions are applied.
P
Panel Physician A doctor approved by INZ to conduct immigration medical examinations.
Permanent Resident A person who has held a resident visa for 2+ years and been in NZ for a required period, granting the right to leave and return indefinitely.
Points The scoring system used in Skilled Migrant Category residence applications. Currently 160 points required for selection.
Police Certificate Official document from police authority showing criminal record (or lack thereof). Required for most visa applications.
Principal Applicant The main person applying for a visa, to whom partner and dependent children are linked.
R
RfI (Request for Information) A letter from INZ asking for additional documents or information to process your application.
Residence Immigration status allowing you to live and work in NZ indefinitely (subject to meeting permanent residence requirements).
Resident Visa A visa granting residence status in New Zealand.
S
Section 61 A discretionary power allowing INZ to grant visas in special circumstances, even if standard requirements aren't met.
Skilled Employment Work in an occupation requiring significant training or qualifications, used for Skilled Migrant Category.
SMC (Skilled Migrant Category) The main points-based residence visa for skilled workers.
Standard Accreditation Basic employer accreditation for businesses hiring up to 5 migrant workers.
Straight to Residence Green List pathway allowing residence application without first working in NZ.
T
Trans-Tasman Travel Arrangement The agreement allowing Australian and NZ citizens to travel, live, and work in either country.
Transition Period Time allowed to transition between visa or policy changes.
V
Variation of Conditions A request to change the conditions on your visa (e.g., adding work rights to a visitor visa).
Visa Waiver Arrangement allowing citizens of certain countries to visit NZ without a visa for short stays.
W
Work to Residence A pathway to residence through skilled employment, as opposed to straight-to-residence.
Working Holiday Visa Temporary visa allowing young people from eligible countries to travel and work in NZ.
Have questions about immigration terms? Find a licensed immigration adviser who can explain how these concepts apply to your specific situation.