Indians are among the top five nationalities where people have overstayed their visas in New Zealand. Immigration New Zealand has released its updated estimate of the number of people currently in New Zealand who have overstayed their visa.
The latest estimate indicates that as of 1 July 2025, approximately 20,980 people in New Zealand were overstaying their visas.
The top 5 nationalities of people who have overstayed their visas as of 1 July 2025 include Tonga (2,599), China, the United States of America, Samoa, and India.
There were 1,582 Indians who had overstayed in New Zealand as of 1 July 2025. This data is based on 30 years’ worth of data and corresponds with the introduction of Immigration New Zealand using electronic records.
2,22,436 Indians arrived between 1/7/2023 and 30/6/2025, of which 428 were recorded as having overstayed their visas as of 1/7/2025, representing 0.19%.
Overstay Report
This is the first estimate produced using INZ’s newly adopted methodology, which has significantly enhanced the accuracy of the estimate since the previous one was carried out in 2017.
That estimate put the number of people who have overstayed their visas at approximately 14,000, but direct comparisons between the two estimates cannot be made because of the different methodologies used.
Steve Watson, General Manager of Immigration Compliance and Investigations, says the estimate shows that the number of people who overstay their visa is a very small proportion of temporary migrants who come to New Zealand and there are clear plans to reduce these.
“Each year, New Zealand processes around one million visa applications and 1.6 million New Zealand Electronic Travel Authority requests and sees approximately 3.6 million arrivals from non-New Zealand citizens each year,” said Watson.
While the vast majority of people comply with their visa conditions and leave before the expiry of their visa, some people do not leave and consequently remain in New Zealand unlawfully.
The estimate will be refreshed annually using updated methodology and will be used alongside other systems and tools to improve efforts to address overstaying and enhance policy advice.
New Zealand has an early intervention process for those who become unlawful, encouraging active engagement with INZ, including the option of voluntarily departing New Zealand before they are deported.
People who overstay their visa are expected to leave New Zealand or face deportation if they do not qualify for a further visa.
When Immigration Compliance staff locate someone who has overstayed their visa, they assess all available options, including alternative visa pathways. Where possible, individuals are encouraged to leave New Zealand voluntarily if they do not qualify for a new visa.
Deportations
From 1 July 2024 to 30 June 2025 financial year, 1,259 unlawful people were deported by INZ, self-deported, or voluntarily departed New Zealand, an increase of 352 from the previous financial year.
A person who is unlawfully in New Zealand who has been served a deportation order and departs New Zealand, or a temporary visa holder who was made liable for deportation and departs New Zealand after the date when they may be served with a deportation order.