Immigration Minister Michael Woodhouse confirmed the move to the Otago Daily Times after a meeting with tourist industry representatives yesterday.
However, the future of the Remarkables Park centre, which handles thousands of visa applications a year, was something for Immigration New Zealandto decide, he said.
Mr Woodhouse likened immigration offices to bank branches, where people did not need to physically visit one to get excellent service.
''I see immigration process going the same way. We've invested very heavily in immigration online, and our goal is to have 80% of visa applications filed online anywhere in the world to anywhere to the world by 2017.
''What employers want is good support, a presence when they need it, and a smooth immigration process. I think they would all say that's much more important than whether or not there's six staff sitting in front.''
In December, Prime Minister John Key described the resort's service as ''very inefficient and very clunky'' and in need of streamlining.
