Parties set out plans on residency, overstayers and asylum

Parties contesting the election have set out their plans on residency, overstayers and asylum seekers, according to RNZ.

New Zealand First wants a new work visa that would not tie migrants to a single employer. Labour and the Green Party have both pledged that migrants will be able to move between accredited companies.

Labour, ACT and New Zealand First want to change the permanent residency rules so that it takes longer to qualify. The aim is to ensure people are well settled before they are granted residence. Labour's policy release from September said it would extend the time migrants must live in New Zealand before they can apply for permanent residence from two years to four.

The Green Party and Te Pāti Māori would both create residence pathways for people who have settled in New Zealand long-term, including those whose visas have expired. Labour plans a citizenship pathway for children born in New Zealand to parents who are not residents. It would also review parent visa, health and English-language requirements.

The Green Party aims to raise the refugee quota, the number of refugees accepted each year, from 1500 to 5000 by 2029. It also aims to abolish health requirements for immigrants and refugees. New Zealand First wants to stop people who arrive on work visas from claiming asylum.

New Zealand First would give Pacific overstayers a 24-month "clemency period" to apply to remain in New Zealand legally. The Greens, Te Pāti Māori and Labour are prioritising visa-free movement with Pacific countries.

New Zealand First's manifesto calls for a referendum to cap resident visas at 20,000 a year. The party also proposes a 10-year welfare stand-down, meaning a waiting period before benefits are available, for non-citizens including residents.

National is proposing a trial of travel between New Zealand and Australia without a physical passport.