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Immigration Scam Phone Calls in New Zealand: How to Stay Safe

16/1/2026

Immigration-related phone scams are increasing in New Zealand, with fraudsters targeting visa holders, migrants, and offshore applicants by impersonating Immigration New Zealand. These scams are designed to create fear and urgency, often convincing people to share personal information or make payments they do not owe.

As a New Zealand immigration law firm, we are sharing this information for public awareness only. We are not Immigration New Zealand.

What These Immigration Phone Scams Look Like
Scam callers often claim there is a serious issue with your visa or immigration status and insist that immediate action is required. The calls may appear genuine, sometimes coming from New Zealand phone numbers or using automated messages that sound official.
Common warning signs include:

Claims that your visa is at risk or under investigation
Requests for urgent payment or personal details
Pressure to act immediately or follow phone prompts
Threats of visa cancellation or legal consequences

These tactics are intended to prevent you from taking time to verify the information.

What Immigration New Zealand Will Not Do
Understanding how Immigration New Zealand communicates can help you spot a scam. INZ does not:

Make unsolicited phone calls demanding payment
Ask for bank details, passwords, or credit card information over the phone
Use threats or intimidation during unexpected calls

If a caller does any of the above, it is very likely a scam.

How to Protect Yourself
If you receive a call claiming to be from immigration and something does not feel right:

Do not share any personal or financial information
Do not press numbers or follow automated instructions
Hang up immediately
Do not return the call using the number provided

If you are genuinely concerned about your immigration status, contact Immigration New Zealand directly using contact details from their official website, not information given during a call.

Why Migrants Are Commonly Targeted
Immigration matters are often complex and high-stakes. Scammers exploit this by creating panic and urgency, knowing that many people fear losing their right to live or work in New Zealand. Awareness and caution are the best protection.

Final Reminder
If you receive an unexpected call claiming to be from immigration and demanding immediate action, payment, or personal information, treat it as suspicious. Take time to verify independently and never act under pressure.

If you have concerns or need reliable guidance regarding your immigration matter, click the below button.

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Ukraine Resident Visa NZ Closing March 2026: What You Need to Know Before Applying

13/1/2026

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If you or someone you know holds a Special Ukraine Visa and wishes to remain in New Zealand permanently, time is running out. Immigration New Zealand has announced that the Ukraine Resident Visa category will close to new applications on 16 March 2026. After this date, no further applications will be accepted under the current policy settings.

At Immigration Trust, we are an independent, licensed immigration advisory firm offering this information as a public service to the Ukrainian community. We are not Immigration New Zealand, but we have helped many clients secure their residence successfully.

Who Can Apply for the Ukraine Resident Visa?
To qualify for this pathway to residence, applicants must:

Be the principal applicant who arrived in New Zealand on a 2022 Special Ukraine Visa on or before 15 March 2024
Meet standard character and identity requirements
Submit a Limited Medical Certificate and chest X-ray certificate

Good news: There is no English language test required for this application.
You can also include your partner and dependent children in the same application.

Staying in New Zealand Lawfully While You Wait
If you currently hold a Special Ukraine Visa and intend to apply for residence, you can also apply for another Special Ukraine Visa while your residence application is being processed. This ensures you can remain lawfully in New Zealand while waiting for a decision.

Why You Should Apply Before the Deadline
The deadline of 16 March 2026 is final. Applications submitted after this date cannot be accepted.
We strongly encourage eligible individuals to apply as soon as possible to avoid last-minute issues or delays. Processing times may vary, and documentation requirements must be met in full.
Learn more about our Visa Services

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Can I still apply for a Ukraine Resident Visa after March 2026?
A: No. Immigration New Zealand will no longer accept new Ukraine Resident Visa applications after 16 March 2026 under current policy settings.

Q: Can I stay in NZ while waiting for my Ukraine Resident Visa?
A: Yes. You can apply for another Special Ukraine Visa to remain lawfully in New Zealand during processing.

Q: Do I need to pass an English test for this visa?
A: No. English language testing is not required for the Ukraine Resident Visa.

Q: Can I include my family in my application?
A: Yes. You may include your partner and dependent children in your application.

If you or a loved one is eligible for the Ukraine Resident Visa, don’t delay. Immigration Trust has helped many migrants transition to residence with confidence and care. We offer tailored, strategic advice to help you meet all the requirements before the window closes.

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Updates from INZ - Enhanced Immigration Online System Issues

19/12/2025

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Immigration New Zealand (INZ) has released a further update regarding ongoing issues affecting its enhanced Immigration Online system. We are sharing this information as a public service to assist applicants, employers, and families who may be impacted.

INZ has acknowledged that the recent system upgrade has caused disruption for some users, particularly when viewing, uploading, or processing documents. While most document upload issues have now been resolved, a small number of users are still experiencing difficulties.

INZ has confirmed that its technical teams continue working to fully resolve the remaining issues as quickly as possible.

Applications affected by this issue
INZ has advised that applicants may experience problems viewing letters or documents in the following online applications or forms:

Phase 2, 2021 Resident Visas
Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV) accreditations
Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV) job checks
Accredited Employer Work Visas
Permanent Resident Visa
Second or Subsequent Resident Visa
Variation of travel conditions on a resident visa
Transit Visa
International Student Visa
Most visitor visas

Current guidance for affected applicants

If you started an application before 7 December 2025 and are experiencing submission issues, INZ recommends trying the following steps:

Remove the photo (face image), re-upload it, and attempt to submit the application again.
If the issue continues, remove all supporting documents, re-upload them, and try submitting again.
If the problem still persists, contact the Immigration New Zealand Customer Service Centre so your case can be escalated and further assistance provided.

INZ has also confirmed that applicants will not be disadvantaged while these technical issues are being addressed, and that additional time will be provided where necessary to respond to correspondence or visa-related requests.

We are not Immigration New Zealand, but as a licensed New Zealand immigration firm, we understand how disruptive system issues can be—particularly where visa expiry dates or time-sensitive applications are involved. If you are unsure how these issues may affect your application, seeking tailored guidance can help ensure your matter remains compliant and properly managed.

For the official INZ update, refer to Immigration New Zealand’s website.

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INZ Hub:INZ Updates​ & ​Visa FAQs

Immigration Scam Phone Calls in New Zealand: How to Stay Safe

Ukraine Resident Visa NZ Closing March 2026: What You Need to Know Before Applying

Updates from INZ - Enhanced Immigration Online System Issues

INZ Hub:
INZ Updates & Visa FAQs