Government Strengthens Immigration System with New Amendment Bill

The Government is taking proactive steps to secure the fiscal sustainability and integrity of the immigration system, marked by the successful first reading of the Immigration (Fiscal Sustainability and System Integrity) Amendment Bill.

The steps are being taken as the New Zealand government feels that the immigration system needs to be smart, responsive, and flexible to keep pace with the changing geopolitical context. The changes proposed will help ensure immigration settings appropriately respond to risk and are sustainable.

This Bill introduces key enhancements to maintain a balanced, efficient, and fair immigration system. These include:

• Safeguarding vulnerable individuals, including refugees and protection claimants, following recommendations from the 2022 Victoria Casey review.
• Requiring judicial warrants for out-of-hours compliance activities, a measure from the 2023 Michael Heron review.
• Improved prosecution of migrant exploitation and tougher consequences for residence class visa holders who commit criminal offenses.
• Flexibility for unusual events such as natural disasters to ensure the system adapts effectively.
• Updates to broaden the immigration levy payer base and consider options for a new immigration levy in the future, though these changes are not planned for this year.

The changes are being put into place also to help futureproof the immigration system, and better balance the integrity of the immigration system with the rights of individuals.

Explore the full details of the Immigration (Fiscal Sustainability and System Integrity) Amendment Bill here. Keep informed of further updates as these changes progress.