Plain language law

New Zealand law explained for everyone

Immigration Act 2009

Arrivals and departures - Entry permission

111: Collection of biometric information

You could also call this:

“Collecting body measurements when you apply to enter New Zealand”

When you apply for entry permission to New Zealand, an immigration officer can ask you to provide biometric information. This can happen at any time before you leave the immigration control area, designated place, or prescribed place where you made your application. If you apply outside New Zealand, they can ask for this information before you leave the immigration control area or prescribed place where you arrive in New Zealand.

If you don’t want to give your biometric information, the Minister or an immigration officer can refuse to give you entry permission. They can also take away entry permission if it was already given to you. They can do this at any time before you leave the immigration control area, designated place, or prescribed place.

If they take away your entry permission, they write it down in the Department’s records, and it happens right away.

Some people don’t have to give biometric information. These people are listed in rules made under section 400(l).

A ‘designated place’ is a place that the chief executive chooses under section 383.

This text is automatically generated. It might be out of date or be missing some parts. Find out more about how we do this.

View the original legislation for this page at https://legislation.govt.nz/act/public/1986/0120/latest/link.aspx?id=DLM1440750.

Topics:
Immigration and citizenship > Visas
Immigration and citizenship > Border control
Government and voting > Government departments
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Part 4 Arrivals and departures
Entry permission

111Collection of biometric information

  1. An immigration officer may require a person who applies for entry permission (irrespective of whether the application is still being considered, or whether entry permission has been granted or refused) to provide biometric information—

  2. at any time before the person leaves the immigration control area, designated place, or prescribed place at which the application is made; and
    1. if the application is not made in New Zealand, at any time before the person leaves the immigration control area or prescribed place at which he or she arrives in New Zealand.

      1. If a person refuses to allow the biometric information to be collected, the Minister or an immigration officer may—

      2. refuse to grant entry permission; or
        1. revoke any entry permission already granted.

          1. Entry permission may be revoked at any time before the person leaves the immigration control area, designated place, or prescribed place.

          2. A revocation under this section is made by entry on the records of the Department, and takes effect immediately.

          3. This section does not apply to persons who, in accordance with regulations made under section 400(l), are exempt from providing biometric information.

          4. In this section, designated place means a place designated by the chief executive under section 383.

          Notes
          • Section 111: replaced, on , by section 33 of the Immigration Amendment Act 2015 (2015 No 48).