New Zealand Launches Immigration Infringement Scheme

Key Point 

• New Zealand’s Immigration Employment Infringement Scheme allows authorities to issue fines and penalties to employers who commit low-level immigration violations 

Immigration Penalties  

New Zealand has implemented an enforcement tool under the Worker Protection (Migrant and Other Employees) Act to deter exploitation and improve compliance. The scheme applies to both accredited and non-accredited employers and targets violations such as: 

• Employing individuals not authorized to work under the Immigration Act 
• Breaching visa conditions tied to employment 
• Failing to provide the requested documents within 10 working days 

Penalties include: 

• Fines of NZD $1,000 (individuals) or NZD $3,000 (companies) 
• Temporary loss of Accredited Employer or Recognized Seasonal Employer status 
• Stand-down periods from sponsoring migrant workers (up to 12 months) 

More serious breaches may result in criminal charges. 

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