# Immigration pledges ahead of election

> Parties outline visa changes, asylum rules and Pacific travel for 2026 election.
- Title: Immigration pledges ahead of election · RNZ | Shortify
- Summary: Parties outline visa changes, asylum rules and Pacific travel for 2026 election.
- Keywords: nz first, labour, green party, te pāti māori, asylum seekers, work visas, permanent residency, pacific countries, trans-tasman travel, immigration policy, RNZ
- Source: RNZ — https://rnz.co.nz/news/politics_election-2026/2368099/residency-overstayers-and-asylum-seekers-parties-set-out-their-stalls
- Author: RNZ | Te Reo Irirangi o Aotearoa
- Published: 2026-11-05T17:16:37+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: nz first, labour, green party, te pāti māori, asylum seekers, work visas, permanent residency, pacific countries, trans-tasman travel, immigration policy, politics, news
## Immigration pledges ahead of election
Parties outline visa changes, asylum rules and Pacific travel for 2026 election.
## Work visa flexibility proposals
Labour, Act and NZ First want to change permanent residency rules to make it longer to achieve and ensure people are well-settled.
## Residence pathways for overstayers
Green Party and Te Pāti Māori would create residence pathways for those with expired visas while NZ First offers a 24-month clemency period for Pacific overstayers.
## Trans-Tasman travel trial
National proposes a digital passport trial for citizens travelling between New Zealand and Australia ahead of the 2028 T20 World Cup.
## Pacific visa-free movement
Greens, Te Pāti Māori and Labour prioritize visa-free movement with Pacific countries.
## New Zealand First's immigration policy
NZ First wants to rein in asylum seekers by not allowing work visa arrivals to claim asylum and create a 10-year welfare stand-down period for non-citizens.

> We are importing poverty. You know, that is literally where we've ended up.
## Food bank concerns
Salvation Army says they don't track food bank clients' residency status but NZ First links migrant exploitation to food bank usage.
## Immigration policy proposals
ACT wants an overstayer enforcement unit, while Greens propose climate change displacement legislation and NZ First requires immigration minister to be a MP.
## Key takeaway

NZ First, Labour, Greens and others propose immigration reforms including work visa flexibility, asylum caps and trans-Tasman travel trials ahead of 2026 election.