27 February 2026
Ben
[FYI request #33132 email]
DOIA-REQ-0024979
Tēnā koe Ben,
I refer to your request under the Official Information Act 1982 (OIA) received on 4 December 2025
requesting the following information from the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment
(MBIE):
1. Is supplying fraudulent documentation in support of a visa application an offence?
If so, what are the possible sanctions that could be faced?
2. Were these (fraudulent) licences supplied to MBIE for the purposes of obtaining
visas or work permits? If so, please describe the number of instances and types of
visas or work permits granted.
3. Have any visas or work permits been terminated as a result of this fraud? If not,
why not?
4. More broadly, how many times in the past six months has MBIE terminated a visa
or work permit as a result of fraudulent documentation having been uncovered?
Our Response
On 20 February, we provided you with a decision letter and partial response to your request. We
appreciate your patience while we collated the information required to respond to questions two and
three of your request.
For background, MBIE’s focus is on cases where there is confirmed evidence of fraudulent information
provided to Immigration New Zealand (INZ) with a visa application, and those who hold visas
dependent on a driver licence in a commercial driver role whose licence has been cancelled by NZTA.
Please see below the remaining information you requested.
2. Were these (fraudulent) licences supplied to MBIE for the purposes of obtaining visas or work
permits? If so, please describe the number of instances and types of visas or work permits granted.
MBIE initially identified ten cases where fraudulent driver licence information was apparently
provided to INZ with visa applications. Further investigation into these cases found that for one
individual, there was no evidence of immigration offending. Another individual was already out of the
country, and their visa was cancelled.
The category of visas held in these cases are all Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV), except one
individual, who holds a resident visa.
3. Have any visas or work permits been terminated as a result of this fraud? If not, why not?
As at 23 February 2026, eight visas have been cancelled for visa holders who are out of New Zealand
due to fraudulent driver licence information provided to INZ or because of driver licence cancellation
by NZTA.
As at 23 February 2026, 23 Deportation Liability Notices have been served on individuals who are in
New Zealand related to the fraudulent driver licences, and two of those individuals have had their
visas cancelled so far.
INZ continues to work closely with NZTA on this matter. Where we identify individuals who have
provided fraudulent information with their visa application, or whose driver licence has been
cancelled by NZTA affecting the validity of their visa, these individuals may face visa cancellation or
deportation.
You have the right to seek an investigation and review by the Ombudsman of this decision. Information
about how to make a complaint is available at
www.ombudsman.parliament.nz or phone 0800 802
602.
If you wish to discuss any aspect of your request or this response, please contact
[email address]. Nāku noa, nā
Stephen Vaughan
Chief Operating Officer
Immigration New Zealand
Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment
