No-one should have to pay a premium to get a job

Every migrant has dealt with the immigration system in some way. Many of us have felt the frustration of seemingly-endless paperwork and visa delays. We have also felt the relief when residency finally comes through or when family can join us here.
I believe we can achieve a system that’s fair and efficient for migrants, while serving New Zealand’s best interests.
The Government is bringing in changes through the Immigration (Fiscal Sustainability and System Integrity) Amendment Bill. The Bill fixes some major problems that affect genuine migrants: it works to stop migrant exploitation, make the rules clearer, and add some basic dignity to how people are treated.
One issue that keeps coming up in our community is the pressure some people face to pay “premiums” for jobs. We’ve all heard the stories, maybe you know someone who’s been through it, or maybe it happened to you. Being told to hand over thousands of dollars just for the chance to work in New Zealand, often before you’ve even boarded the flight.
The new law makes this illegal in clear terms by creating a specific offence for anyone demanding money in exchange for a job opportunity here, and crucially it covers what happens overseas as well. The exploitation usually starts during recruitment, long before anyone arrives at the airport, so this change means the system is finally protecting migrants instead of looking the other way.
Another big focus is making things more predictable. If you’ve been through the immigration process, you know how much it helps when the rules are clear and decisions are transparent, because then you can plan your work, your kids’ education, family visits, your life, without the constant stress.
The changes bring in clearer processes and better accountability, like requiring immigration officers to get a warrant before entering someone’s home outside normal hours, with these warrants publicly reported each year. That kind of oversight helps maintain trust in the system because proper checks matter, even when most officers aren’t doing anything wrong.
There are also improvements for vulnerable people, especially those arriving in difficult circumstances. The bill sets clearer rules around detention and emphasises that less restrictive options should be tried first, which offers real confidence for those who’ve come from countries where dealing with government officials can be unpredictable or intimidating.
The bill also adds flexibility for unexpected situations, because the last few years showed us how quickly things can fall apart with border closures, flight cancellations, and sudden crises. The reforms allow the Immigration Minister to make temporary adjustments to immigration settings, with strict limits and full transparency, so people don’t get stuck or separated when circumstances change suddenly.
These changes are fundamentally about building trust in the system. A proper immigration system should support people, protect them from exploitation, give them clear expectations, and show them some basic respect. ACT is proud to support moves in that direction.