The words INZ uses in its forms, letters and website, explained in plain English. Each entry links to the guide with the detail.
Updated 29 October 2026.
A
Accredited employer: an employer INZ has approved to hire migrants on an AEWV. Standard accreditation covers up to 5 migrants at a time; high-volume covers 6 or more. See accreditation types.
AEWV (Accredited Employer Work Visa): New Zealand's main work visa. You need a job offer from an accredited employer with an approved job check. See AEWV.
ANZSCO: the Australian and New Zealand Standard Classification of Occupations. INZ uses its codes and skill levels (1 = highest, 5 = lowest) for the Skilled Migrant Category and Green List.
ASH (acceptable standard of health): INZ's health standard. You don't meet it if you're likely to be a danger to public health or impose significant costs on health services. See health requirements.
B
Ballot: a random draw. Used for the Pacific Access Category, the Samoan Quota and 10% of Parent Resident Visa selections.
Biometrics: your facial image and, in some cases, fingerprints, which INZ is required to collect. See VFS and biometrics.
C
Certified copy: a copy signed as a true copy by someone authorised to take statutory declarations. See certified copies.
Character waiver: INZ's decision to grant a visa despite a character issue. See character waivers.
Conditions: what your visa lets you do: the employer, job, location, study, work hours or travel. See your eVisa.
D
De facto partner: a partner you live with in a genuine and stable relationship but aren't married to. INZ treats married, civil union and de facto partners the same.
Dependent child: for most residence applications, a child aged 24 or younger who is single, has no children and depends on you.
Deportation liability notice (DLN): a notice that you're liable for deportation and how long you have to appeal or leave. See deportation liability notice.
E
EOI (expression of interest): the first step for the Skilled Migrant Category and Parent Resident Visa. INZ selects EOIs and invites people to apply.
eVisa: New Zealand's electronic visa, linked to your passport. There's no label in your passport.
Expiry date travel: the date after which you can't re-enter New Zealand on a resident visa. See returning to NZ.
G
Green List: INZ's list of hard-to-fill roles. Tier 1 leads straight to residence; Tier 2 leads to residence after 2 years' work. See Green List.
I
IAA (Immigration Advisers Authority): licenses immigration advisers. Licences are full, provisional (supervised) or limited. See choosing an adviser.
Immigration levy: a charge added to most visa fees, paid with the application.
Immigration Online: INZ's online application system. See Immigration Online.
Interim visa: a temporary visa INZ normally gives you if your visa expires while it decides your next application. It ends if you leave New Zealand. See interim visa.
INZ (Immigration New Zealand): the government agency, part of MBIE, that decides visas.
IPT (Immigration and Protection Tribunal): hears appeals against residence declines and deportation. See the Tribunal.
IQA (International Qualification Assessment): NZQA's assessment of an overseas qualification. See NZQA assessment.
ITA (invitation to apply): INZ's invitation, after your EOI is selected, to make a residence application.
IVL (International Visitor Conservation and Tourism Levy): a levy charged on most visitor, student and working holiday visas and NZeTAs.
J
Job change: how AEWV holders change employer, job or location. See changing jobs on an AEWV.
Job check: INZ's approval of a specific job before an employer can offer it to a migrant on an AEWV.
Job token: the code an employer gives you after an approved job check, so you can apply for an AEWV.
L
Licensed immigration adviser: someone licensed by the IAA to give New Zealand immigration advice. New Zealand lawyers are exempt from licensing.
M
Market rate: the pay a New Zealander would get for the same job. AEWV pay must be at least the market rate.
Median wage: INZ's reference wage (NZ$35.00 an hour from 9 March 2026), used for residence and some family rules. It no longer sets AEWV pay.
MEPV (Migrant Exploitation Protection Work Visa): an open work visa for people who've reported exploitation. See MEPV.
N
NOL (National Occupation List): New Zealand's replacement for ANZSCO. INZ uses some NOL occupations for the AEWV, but not for the Skilled Migrant Category.
NZeTA (New Zealand Electronic Travel Authority): what visa-waiver travellers need instead of a visa.
NZQA: the New Zealand Qualifications Authority, which assesses overseas qualifications.
O
Offshore / onshore: applying from outside / inside New Zealand.
Open work visa: a work visa that lets you work for almost any employer, such as a partner work visa or post-study work visa.
P
Panel physician: a doctor INZ approves to do visa medicals. See visa medicals.
Permanent resident visa (PRV): a resident visa without travel conditions. See permanent resident visa.
PPI letter (potentially prejudicial information): INZ telling you about something that could lead to a decline, and giving you a chance to respond. See PPI letters.
Principal applicant: the person whose circumstances the application is based on; partners and children are secondary applicants.
R
RealMe: the government login you use for Immigration Online.
Reconsideration: asking INZ to look again at a declined temporary visa you applied for in New Zealand. See visa declined.
Resident visa: lets you live, work and study in New Zealand indefinitely, with travel conditions. See resident visas.
S
Second or Subsequent Resident Visa: a way back to residence if your resident visa expired while you were overseas.
Section 61: a request to INZ for a visa when you're in New Zealand unlawfully. See section 61.
Skilled Migrant Category (SMC): the main skilled residence category, with three pathways. See SMC.
Sponsor: a person or organisation that takes responsibility for an applicant's costs. See sponsorship form.
Statutory declaration: a written statement you declare to be true in front of an authorised person. See statutory declarations.
Straight to Residence: residence for Green List Tier 1 roles. See Straight to Residence.
Supporting partner: a New Zealand citizen or resident (or eligible visa holder) supporting their partner's visa, usually with form INZ 1146. See INZ 1146.
T
Travel conditions: the rule on a resident visa that lets you travel until a set date. See returning to NZ.
U
Unlawful: being in New Zealand without a valid visa. See visa expiring.
V
Variation of conditions: changing what a temporary visa lets you do (AEWV holders apply for a job change instead).
Visa application centre (VAC): offices run for INZ in some countries; most applications don't need one.
Visa waiver: being able to visit without a visa (with an NZeTA) because of your nationality.
W
Work to Residence: residence after 24 months' work in a Green List Tier 2 or other eligible role. See Work to Residence.
Working holiday visa: a 12-month (or 23-month for some countries) visa for young people to travel and work. See working holiday.
Where an adviser helps: INZ letters use these terms precisely. If a letter mentions a PPI, a deportation liability notice, character or health, or a deadline you don't understand, a licensed adviser can explain exactly what it means for you and what to do next, before the deadline passes.
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the difference between a resident visa and a permanent resident visa?
Both let you live in New Zealand indefinitely, but a resident visa has travel conditions; a permanent resident visa doesn't.
What is a job token?
A code from your employer's approved job check that you need to apply for an AEWV.
What does PPI mean in an INZ letter?
Potentially prejudicial information: something that could lead to a decline. You get a chance to respond.
What is the IVL?
The International Visitor Conservation and Tourism Levy, charged on most visitor, student and working holiday visas and NZeTAs.
Getting help
If an INZ letter uses terms you're not sure about, ask before you reply. A licensed immigration adviser can explain it and help you respond; for deportation, appeals or court matters, an immigration lawyer can help.
Tell us your situation and we'll introduce you to a licensed adviser or immigration lawyer. It's free to ask.