Official mobile-app channel enabled for online immigration applications

Policy effect

From June 21, 2023, immigration applications that could or had to be made online under regulations 23A and 23AA could use electronic forms in an official mobile application as an alternative to the existing website channel. The mobile application had to be made available and maintained by or on behalf of the Department. The change applied where electronic forms were provided for the relevant application; it did not require every immigration application to be made online.

Official source excerpt

Quoted verbatim from the official source below. Ellipses indicate omitted text.

… gulation 23AA(3)](https://classic.legislation.govt.nz/regulation/public/2023/0077/latest/link.aspx?id=DLM6682179#DLM6682179) with: (3) This regulation applies in respect of an application that the chief executive requires to be made online. (2) Replace [regulation 23AA(4)](https://classic.legislation.govt.nz/regulation/public/2023/0077/latest/link.aspx?id=DLM6682179#DLM6682179) with: (4) The application must be made— ##### (a) by means of one of the following that is made available and maintained by or on behalf of the Department for that purpose: ##### (i) an Internet site; or ##### (ii) a so … ftware application that is designed to be used on a mobile device; and ##### (b) using an electronic form provided on the Internet site or the software application for the purpose. (3) In [regulation 23AA(5) (a)](https://classic.legislation.govt.nz/regulation/public/2023/0077/latest/link.aspx?id=DLM6682179#DLM6682179), after "“English”", insert "“(except as provided in subclause (5D) (b))”". (4) In [regulation 23AA(5) (h)](https://classic.legislation.govt.nz/regulation/public/2023/0077/latest/link.aspx?id=DLM6682179#DLM6682179), after "“agree”", insert "“(except as provided in subclause (5D) ( … any other language enabled by the electronic form referred to in subclause (4) (b); and ##### (c) subclause (5) (h) does not apply. ##### 8 Regulation 23A amended (Applications that may be made online) (1) Replace [regulation 23A(1) to (3)](https://classic.legislation.govt.nz/regulation/public/2023/0077/latest/link.aspx?id=DLM6090115#DLM6090115) with: (1) The following applications may be made online if electronic forms have been provided for the purpose on an Internet site or a software application referred to in subclause (3): ##### (a) an application for a residence class visa to which reg … by means of one of the following that is made available and maintained by or on behalf of the Department for that purpose: ##### (i) an Internet site; or ##### (ii) a software application that is designed to be used on a mobile device; and ##### (b) using an electronic form provided on the Internet site or the software application for the purpose. (2) In [regulation 23A(4) (a)](https://classic.legislation.govt.nz/regulation/public/2023/0077/latest/link.aspx?id=DLM6090115#DLM6090115), after "“English”", insert "“(except as provided in subclause (4A) (b))”". (3) In [regulation 23A(4) (h)](https: … the principal regulations applies to be made online,— - the applications may be made in English or any other language enabled by the electronic form provided for the purpose; and - the applicant must provide their passport or certificate of identity to an immigration officer or their passport to an automated electronic system in order to complete the making of the application. [Regulations 23AA](https://classic.legislation.govt.nz/regulation/public/2023/0077/latest/link.aspx?id=DLM6682179#DLM6682179) and [23A](https://classic.legislation.govt.nz/regulation/public/2023/0077/latest/link.aspx?id= … DLM6090115#DLM6090115) of the principal regulations are amended to provide that when an application for a visa may or must be made online it may be done by means of a software application that is designed to be used on a mobile device. The software application must be one made available and maintained by or on behalf of MBIE. This is in addition to the method already provided for in [regulations 23AA](https://classic.legislation.govt.nz/regulation/public/2023/0077/latest/link.aspx?id=DLM6682179#DLM6682179) and [23A](https://classic.legislation.govt.nz/regulation/public/2023/0077/latest/link.as … he automated electronic system indicates that the person must present himself or herself to an immigration officer: Rachel Hayward, Clerk of the Executive Council. ## Explanatory note ##### This note is not part of the regulations, but is intended to indicate their general effect. These regulations, which come into force on 21 June 2023, amend the [Immigration (Visa, Entry Permission, and Related Matters) Regulations 2010](https://classic.legislation.govt.nz/regulation/public/2023/0077/latest/link.aspx?id=DLM3148100) (the **principal regulations**). [Regulations 7](https://classic.legislation. … govt.nz/regulation/public/2023/0077/latest/link.aspx?id=DLM3148126#DLM3148126), [8](https://classic.legislation.govt.nz/regulation/public/2023/0077/latest/link.aspx?id=DLM3148128#DLM3148128), [11](https://classic.legislation.govt.nz/regulation/public/2023/0077/latest/link.aspx?id=DLM3148132#DLM3148132), and [23A](https://classic.legislation.govt.nz/regulation/public/2023/0077/latest/link.aspx?id=DLM6090115#DLM6090115) of the principal regulations are amended to provide that— - the following visa applications may be made online: - an application at an immigration control area for a second or su … bsequent resident visa to which [regulation 7](https://classic.legislation.govt.nz/regulation/public/2023/0077/latest/link.aspx?id=DLM3148126#DLM3148126) of the principal regulations would otherwise apply: - an application at an immigration control area or a port by an Australian citizen or permanent resident for a resident visa to which regulation 8 of the principal regulations would otherwise apply: - an application for a temporary entry class visa made at an immigration control area to which [regulation 11](https://classic.legislation.govt.nz/regulation/public/2023/0077/latest/link.aspx?id= …

Review method

Two separate automated exact-claim source reviews

Other New Zealand changes operative in 2023

• 2023-02-27Adoption of Updated Annual Median Wage Threshold ($29.66/hour)
• 2023-02-28Expansion of the Victims of Family Violence Work Visa Access
• 2023-04-26Implementation of Transport Sector Agreement Median Wage Exemption for Bus Drivers
• 2023-05-01Update to Parent Category Sponsor Minimum Income Thresholds
• 2023-05-31Implementation of Conditioned Partner Work Rights
• 2023-06-21Online applications for entry permission legally enabled
• 2023-06-21Online visa applications expanded at immigration control areas
• 2023-09-07Skilled Migrant Category expression-of-interest fees removed