New Zealand immigration involves specialized terminology that can confuse newcomers to the process. Understanding these terms helps you make sense of visa information, communicate effectively with advisers and Immigration NZ, and navigate your application successfully.
This comprehensive glossary explains the most important immigration terms, abbreviations, and concepts you'll encounter.
Core Immigration Concepts
Visa vs Permit
Visa: Legal permission to enter and stay in New Zealand for a specified purpose and period. Visas may be single-entry (one trip) or multiple-entry (multiple trips during validity).
Entry Permission: When you arrive in New Zealand, your visa is converted to "entry permission" stamped in your passport. The conditions attached are called visa conditions.
Permit (Historical): Older terminology. "Permits" existed under previous immigration legislation. Now unified under "visa" terminology.
Residence vs Permanent Residence
Resident Visa: Allows indefinite stay in New Zealand but with travel conditions—you must return within 2 years of last departure and meet minimum stay requirements to maintain it.
Permanent Resident Visa: Allows indefinite stay with indefinite travel rights. Once granted, you maintain New Zealand residence rights regardless of how long you're away.
The Progression: Many pathways involve work visa → resident visa → permanent resident visa, as an escalating set of rights.
Principal Applicant vs Dependent
Principal Applicant: The main person on whose application others are included. For work visas, this is the employed person. For SMC, the person earning points.
Dependent/Secondary Applicant: Family members included in another person's application—typically partners and children. Their visa is tied to the principal's.
Onshore vs Offshore
Onshore Application: Submitted while the applicant is in New Zealand.
Offshore Application: Submitted while the applicant is outside New Zealand.
Some visa categories allow either; others require one or the other. Processing times and requirements may differ.
Visa Categories
Work Visas
Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV): The main employer-sponsored work visa for AEWV-accredited employers. Replaced earlier work visa categories.
Essential Skills Work Visa (Historical): Previous work visa category, replaced by AEWV system in 2022.
Specific Purpose Work Visa: For workers coming for defined specific purposes—sporting events, entertainment, specific projects.
Working Holiday Visa: Youth mobility scheme for 18-30/35 year-olds from eligible countries. Time-limited, with work restrictions.
Post-Study Work Visa: For graduates of New Zealand qualifications. Duration depends on qualification level and location.
Residence Visas
Skilled Migrant Category (SMC): Points-based residence pathway for skilled workers. Points for age, qualifications, employment, and experience.
Parent Residence Category: For parents of New Zealand citizens or residents. Competitive with annual caps.
Partnership Residence: For partners of New Zealand citizens or residents.
Active Investor Plus: The current investor residence category for high-net-worth investors (minimum NZ$5M in growth assets). Replaced the old 'Investor 1' and 'Investor 2' categories in 2022.
Entrepreneur Category: For entrepreneurs establishing businesses in NZ.
Student and Visitor Visas
Student Visa: For study at approved New Zealand education providers. Conditions vary by course type and level.
Visitor Visa: For tourism, family visits, or short business trips. No work permitted except in specific circumstances.
NZeTA: New Zealand Electronic Travel Authority—visa waiver for eligible nationalities for short visits.
Abbreviations You'll Encounter
Immigration System Abbreviations
INZ: Immigration New Zealand—the government agency administering immigration.
IAA: Immigration Advisers Authority—regulator of immigration advisers.
IANZ: Immigration Advisers of New Zealand—professional association.
IPT: Immigration and Protection Tribunal—appeals body for certain immigration decisions.
NZQA: New Zealand Qualifications Authority—assesses overseas qualifications.
Visa-Related Abbreviations
AEWV: Accredited Employer Work Visa.
SMC: Skilled Migrant Category.
EOI: Expression of Interest—initial stage of SMC and some other residence applications.
ITA: Invitation to Apply—issued after successful EOI selection.
ANZSCO: Australian and New Zealand Standard Classification of Occupations—occupation classification system.
Document Abbreviations
PPI: Personal Particulars Form (currently INZ 1015)—biographical details form.
COC: Certificate of Crowded Places Study—specific educational certification.
GM: General Medical Certificate—health examination form.
COO: Certificate of Origin—country of origin documentation.
Application Process Terms
Job Check and Employer Accreditation
Employer Accreditation: Approval granted to employers permitting them to hire migrants on AEWV. Required before hiring.
Job Check: Approval that a specific role can be filled by a migrant. Usually required before AEWV is granted for the role.
Labour Market Test: Assessment of whether suitable New Zealand workers are available. Part of Job Check process.
Standard Accreditation: Basic employer accreditation for businesses hiring small numbers of migrants.
High Volume Accreditation: Accreditation for employers hiring many migrants. More requirements and monitoring.
Expression of Interest (EOI)
EOI Pool: Collection of submitted Expressions of Interest awaiting selection.
Selection: Process where EOIs meeting threshold are selected from the pool and invited to apply.
Pool Expiry: EOIs not selected within 6 months expire and must be resubmitted.
Points Threshold: Minimum points score for selection from the pool.
Processing Terms
Request for Information (RFI): INZ request for additional documents or information to assess your application.
PPI (Potentially Prejudicial Information): Information that might lead to application decline. You're given opportunity to respond before adverse decisions.
Decision Pending: Application complete but awaiting officer assessment and decision.
Approved in Principle (AIP): Approval subject to outstanding requirements—often health or police certificates.
Requirements Terminology
Health Requirements
Acceptable Standard of Health: The health standard applicants must meet. Considers potential healthcare demand and costs.
Health Waiver: Exception granted where standard isn't met but circumstances warrant visa grant.
Panel Physician: Doctor or radiologist approved to conduct immigration health assessments.
Medical Condition Disclosed: Condition reported on medical certificate that requires further assessment.
Character Requirements
Good Character: The character requirement for residence visas. Criminal history, security concerns, and conduct are considered.
Police Certificate/Clearance: Official document confirming criminal record status from countries of residence.
Character Waiver: Exception where character requirements aren't met but visa is still granted based on circumstances.
Section 16 (or similar): References to Immigration Act sections relating to character assessment.
English Language
English Language Requirement: Minimum English proficiency for some visa categories.
IELTS: International English Language Testing System—commonly accepted test.
Exempt English: Categories of applicants not required to prove English (e.g., citizens of English-speaking countries).
Comparable Test: Tests other than IELTS accepted as equivalent (TOEFL, PTE Academic, Cambridge).
Green List and Skills Shortages
Green List
Green List: List of occupations with genuine skills shortages where residence pathways are enhanced.
Tier 1 (Straight to Residence): Occupations where holders can apply directly for residence.
Tier 2 (Work to Residence): Occupations where holders can apply for residence after working in New Zealand for specified period.
Sector Agreements
Sector Agreement: Industry-specific arrangements modifying standard immigration settings. May affect wages, conditions, or pathways.
Wage Threshold: Minimum wage for various visa purposes. Different thresholds exist for different categories.
Median Wage: Reference wage point used in immigration settings—currently NZ$35.00 per hour (effective April 2025).
Compliance and Enforcement Terms
Immigration Status
Lawful Status: Being in New Zealand lawfully—holding a valid visa or entry permission.
Unlawful Status: Being in New Zealand without valid permission—may result in deportation.
Overstayer: Person remaining in New Zealand beyond their visa expiry. Unlawful presence affects future applications.
Deportation Order: Formal order requiring departure from New Zealand. May include exclusion periods.
Compliance
Visa Conditions: Restrictions attached to visas—work limitations, travel conditions, reporting requirements.
Breach of Conditions: Violating visa conditions—may affect current visa and future applications.
Section 157 Warrant: Search warrant under Immigration Act.
Compliance Visit: INZ inspection of workplace or residence to verify immigration compliance.
Family Immigration Terms
Relationships
Partnership Visa: Visa for partners (married or de facto) of NZ citizens/residents or visa holders.
De Facto Partnership: Unmarried partners living together—recognized for immigration if genuine and stable.
Genuine and Stable Relationship: Standard for partnership claims. Evidence of shared lives, commitment, and duration required.
Dependent Children
Dependent Child: Child under 24 who is financially dependent on parent applicant. Different age limits may apply.
Principal Caregiver: Parent primarily responsible for dependent children—affects some visa conditions.
Custody/Care Arrangements: Legal arrangements for children from previous relationships—affects whether children can be included.
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the difference between a visa and residency?
"Visa" is the general term for immigration permission. "Residency" specifically means a resident visa or permanent resident visa giving indefinite stay rights. All residence is granted via visa, but not all visas are residence visas.
What does "approved in principle" mean?
Your application is assessed as meeting criteria, but some requirements (usually health or character evidence) remain outstanding. Once these are submitted and cleared, final approval is granted.
What's the difference between the Green List and regular work visas?
The Green List identifies occupations with skills shortages where enhanced residence pathways apply. Workers can still get work visas for non-Green-List occupations, but residence pathways may differ.
What does ANZSCO mean for my application?
ANZSCO codes classify occupations for immigration purposes. Your role must match the ANZSCO code claimed in applications. Mismatches can cause problems—your actual duties must align with code definitions.
Why do I need employer accreditation AND job check AND visa?
The three-stage system (accreditation → job check → visa) assesses different aspects: employer suitability, role suitability, and individual applicant suitability respectively.
Need help navigating immigration terminology? Find a licensed immigration adviser who can explain your specific situation and guide you through the process.