Immigration New Zealand is introducing new measures to tackle lower-level immigration non-compliance among a small subset of employers who are not adhering to regulations.
From 11 April 2024, employers found to be employing anyone who is in breach of their visa conditions, employing individuals unlawfully in New Zealand, or failing to respond to a 10-day information request may receive an infringement notice.
Infringement penalties may include:
- A minimum fine of $1,000
- Loss of accredited employer or Recognised Seasonal Employer status
- Temporary bans on supporting further visas for migrant workers, the length of which depends on the number of infringement notices received
- Inclusion on a public list of non-compliant employers (stand-down list)
These new tools streamline efforts to prevent employers with immigration violations from hiring migrant workers in the future, establishing robust systems for enforcing employment and immigration standards. This initiative aims to ensure fair competition for the vast majority of employers who comply with regulations.
You can read more about the new tools on INZ’s website.
