ACT Party Unveils Plan to Tighten Immigration Rules

The ACT Party has unveiled a comprehensive six-point plan to tighten New Zealand’s immigration rules, introducing a daily surcharge for temporary workers and stricter penalties for serious offenders ahead of the 2026 election.

Released on May 3, 2026, the policy seeks to shift the immigration system away from what ACT leader David Seymour described as a general-purpose labour tap, arguing that successive governments have failed to enforce existing rules and allowed infrastructure to fall behind the rate of settlement.

The Six-Point Plan

The centerpiece of the proposal is a basic bargain requiring migrants to contribute to the country’s infrastructure, respect democratic values, and fill genuine economic gaps.

• Infrastructure Surcharge: The introduction of a $6 per day surcharge on temporary work visas, in addition to existing charges. The party expects this fee to raise approximately $80 million annually.
• Deportation of Serious Offenders: Resident visa holders convicted of offenses carrying sentences of 10 years or more would be subject to deportation, regardless of how long they have lived in New Zealand.
• Welfare Stand-down: A five-year welfare stand-down period for all residence class visa holders, meaning they would be ineligible for jobseeker support, accommodation supplements, or income-tested benefits for their first five years in the country.
• Visa Category Expiry: All skill categories under Accredited Employer Work visas would automatically expire every year, requiring up-to-date evidence of demand to remain open.
• English Language Requirements: The extension of basic English language requirements to all types of work visas.
• Overstayer Enforcement: The establishment of a dedicated overstayer enforcement unit within Immigration New Zealand.

Party Justification

David Seymour stated that the proposed changes are necessary to restore fairness and accountability to the system. He argued that the current rate of settlement has overwhelmed the nation’s ability to provide essential services, noting that the population of Dunedin is now added to the country in a couple of years while the city continues to struggle to build a hospital.

Success requires a common set of expectations; respect our freedoms, uphold our democratic values, contribute to infrastructure, speak English, obey the law, and fill genuine gaps in the economy.

David Seymour, ACT Leader

ACT immigration spokesperson Dr. James McDowall added that many previous policies had created policy blunders, such as restrictive labor market testing and an inflexible Accredited Employer Work Visa system that has hindered both small businesses and government departments, including the Ministry of Health.

To prevent future inefficiencies, ACT proposes that all major immigration policy decisions be subject to a Regulatory Impact Analysis (RIA) to ensure benefits outweigh costs. The party also plans to replace the current temporary work visa system with demand-based pricing and introduce a sustainable solution for parent visas that does not cost the taxpayer.

Criticism and Legal Concerns

The proposals have drawn criticism from legal experts. Immigration lawyer Alistair McClyment characterized the policies as xenophobic dog-whistle politics designed to attract votes, suggesting the measures do not add meaningful value to the existing immigration regime.

McClyment specifically questioned the welfare stand-down, noting that most migrants arrive with employment. He also argued that the infrastructure surcharge could make migrants more vulnerable to exploitation by bad employers if they are left with insufficient funds to live on after paying the fees.