Immigration New Zealand (INZ) has announced its participation in the Five Country Ministerial (FCM) “Fighting Visa Fraud” campaign, launching during International Fraud Awareness Week from 16 to 22 November 2025. The initiative brings together New Zealand, Australia, Canada, and the United Kingdom to raise awareness about visa fraud and protect individuals from deceptive practices.
Visa fraud is a growing global threat, with criminals using scams to target visa applicants. As part of the campaign, INZ will post content and resources across social media using the hashtag #FightingVisaFraud, encouraging applicants to use official government websites, be wary of fraudulent agents, and report suspicious activity to local authorities. Additional information can be found on INZ’s ‘Protecting yourself from immigration scams’ page.
INZ warns that visa applicants should watch out for common scams, including being asked to pay fees for jobs, falsely promised priority in visa processing, or being advised to provide false information. “It is illegal to lie in order to qualify for a job or a visa. Your adviser or other third party is breaking the law if they advise you to do this,” INZ said, stressing the importance of providing true information, which affects current and future visa applications.
Scams to be aware of include offers of employment with accommodation or promises of residence, future earnings, or access to government support. INZ notes that New Zealand employers cannot charge fees for a job, and temporary visas do not guarantee residence. Applicants are not required to use an adviser, and only licensed immigration advisers, certified New Zealand lawyers, or other legally authorised advisers should be consulted.
Applicants should also be alert to suspicious emails or websites claiming to be INZ. Official INZ websites end with ‘.immigration.govt.nz’ or ‘mbie.govt.nz’, and payments for visa fees or medical checks should only be made through approved channels. INZ emphasises that only approved panel doctors or registered medical practitioners can accept medical payments.
The agency also advises migrants already working in New Zealand who believe they are being exploited to contact INZ or Employment New Zealand for assistance. “If you see signs of a scam, stop and take extra precautions. Ask questions and seek official advice,” INZ said.
Practical steps to protect oneself include confirming that employers are accredited for work visas, accessing INZ’s official online services, comparing recruitment or adviser fees, researching living conditions in New Zealand, and verifying visas through INZ’s Visa Verification service. Reports of scams can also be submitted to local authorities or through the Own your online website.
For organisations working with migrants, INZ has provided social media packs and resources in multiple languages to help students, workers, and prospective residents identify potential scams.