Latest Updates

We are introducing a new Short-term Graduate Work Visa and extending Post Study Work Visa eligibility to better align graduate pathways with New Zealand’s skills needs.

3 June 2026 | Study to Work
immigration rules and processes

New and updated post-study work visa options

We are introducing a new Short-term Graduate Work Visa and extending Post Study Work Visa eligibility to better align graduate pathways with New Zealand’s skills needs.

29 May 2026 | Study to Work
immigration rules and processes

English language requirements extended to AEWV skill level 3 roles

From 1 June 2026, Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV) minimum English language requirements will apply to ANZSCO and NOL skill level 3 occupations.

26 May 2026 |

Immigration rules and processes
Work

Changes to employment conditions for open work visa holders

Changes to employment conditions for people with open work visas came into effect from 20 April 2026.

20 Apr 2026 | Open Work Visa

Changes to health insurance requirements for the Peak Seasonal Visa

From 19 April 2026, health insurance for the Peak Seasonal Visa (PSV) will change to make it clearer and easier for migrants and employers to meet the requirements.

15 Apr 2026 | Health Insurance

Income thresholds to increase for Pacific and parent visa categories

From 30 April 2026, income and sponsorship thresholds will increase for several Pacific and family visa categories.

14 Apr 2026 | Join or bring family

Policy, law and strategy

Immigration rules and processes

New Guidance Clarifies Work to Residence Visa Wage Scenarios

Apply for this visa if you currently have a job or job offer with an accredited employer, and have worked in New Zealand for 24 months in a Green List Tier 2 in-demand job.

14 Apr 2026 | Work to Residence Visa

1 Apr 2026 | Student Visa Applications: Missed Intakes and Next Steps

Family of temporary visa holder applications moving to enhanced Immigration Online

From 1 June 2026, family of temporary visa holder applications are moving to Immigration New Zealand’s (INZ) enhanced Immigration Online system. If you are applying for one of these visas over this timeframe, there are some important things you need to know about how we will manage applications over this transition.

31 Mar 2026 | Visa holders and applicants

Using INZ online systems

Immigration rules and processes

New and updated post-study work visa options

We are introducing a new Short Term Graduate Work Visa and extending Post Study Work Visa eligibility to better align graduate pathways with New Zealand’s skills needs.

13 Mar 2026 | Study to work

Immigration rules and processes

Visitor visa fees temporarily reduced for Pacific nationals

We are temporarily reducing visitor visa fees for eligible Pacific nationals to support travel and strengthen New Zealand’s relationship with the Pacific.

12 Mar 2026 | Immigration rules and processes

Further changes to the Skilled Migrant Category to come into effect in August 2026

Immigration New Zealand is announcing further detail on changes to the Skilled Migrant Category (SMC) ahead of these changes taking effect from late August 2026.

6 Mar 2026 | Residence

Policy, law and strategy

Media

Upcoming changes to employment conditions for open work visa holders

On 20 April 2026, we will introduce changes to employment conditions for people with open work visas.

24 Feb 2026 | Work Visa holder

Wage rate requirements for visas

For some work visas you need to earn more than a certain amount to get the visa. Check if you meet the wage threshold to qualify for the visa you want to apply for.

18 Feb 2026 | Requirements for workvisas

New occupations recognised under the National Occupation List and annual median wage increase

From 9 March 2026, we will recognise 47 additional skill level 1 to 3 occupations under the National Occupation List (NOL) for AEWV applications, alongside the annual update to the immigration median wage.

18 Feb 2026 | Work, Visa holder applicant

Work and Income Engagement Required for Employers

If you want to hire a migrant for a job that is ANZSCO skill level 4 or 5, you must engage in good faith with Work and Income to check if there are any New Zealanders workers or residents who can do the job.

17 Dec 2025

Police Certificate Changes to Speed Up AEWV Processing

From 8 December 2025, you must provide a valid police certificate with your Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV) application. We will stop accepting receipts that show you have applied for a certificate.

26 Nov 2025 | Topic: Policy, law and strategy

Immigration rules and processes

Character or identity

Reaching Your AEWV Likit? Here’s What You Need to Know

Use this tool to find out the total amount of time you can stay in New Zealand on 1 or more Accredited Employer Work Visas (AEWVs) based on your current job.

91 New Roles to be Recognised for AEWVs

Immigration New Zealand (INZ) is updating how 87 new occupations are assessed under the Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV) programme from 3 November 2025, to ensure higher skilled occupations in the National Occupation List (NOL) are recognised.

23 Oct 2025 | Topic:Work Immigration rules and processes

List of 91 Occupations Recognised for an AEWV

These National Occupation List (NOL) occupations can be used for an Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV) or Specific Purpose Work Visa (SPWV).

Reminder: Business Investor Visas Launch Next Month

The Business Investor Work Visa is now open for experienced business people looking to invest in New Zealand, providing a pathway to residence and supporting investment in established businesses across the country.

20 Oct 2025 | Topic:Work Residence Immigration rules and processes

Further Detail on Skilled Migrant Category Changes

The Government has announced changes to the Skilled Migrant Category Resident Visa that will help employers retain skilled workers and support long-term economic growth.

26 Sept 2025 | Topic:Work Residence Immigration rules and processes

New Skilled Migrant Category Pathways Announced

The Government has announced changes to the Skilled Migrant Category Resident Visa that will help employers retain skilled workers and support long-term economic growth.

23 Sept 2025 | Topic:Work Residence Immigration rules and processes

Apply early and get ahead of the student visa peak

Applying for your visa early gives you the best chance to have a decision made in time for your study. The processing of student visas is a priority for us, particularly as we get closer to peak times.

15 Sept 2025 | Topic:Study

New student visa application form and system

On 18 August 2025, international student visa applications moved to Immigration New Zealand’s enhanced Immigration Online system.

15 Sept 2025 | Topic:Using INZ online system Study

Student fund requirements

How much money you need if you are applying for a student visa, what you need it for, different funding options, and the types of evidence we can accept.

15 Sep 2025 | Topic: Study

Genuine intentions to study in New Zealand

Before you can get a visa or come to New Zealand to study, we check that your reasons for coming here are genuine.

15 Sept 2025 | Topic: Study

Post Study Work Visa

Apply for this visa if you want to work in New Zealand soon after you have completed your studies here. It allows you to stay and work in New Zealand for up to 3 years, depending on what you studied.

15 Sept 2025 | Topic:Study

Upcoming changes to student visa work rights

On Monday 14 July 2025, the Government announced the International Education Going for Growth Plan.

15 Sept 2025 | Topic: Visa Holders and Applicants Study

Recognising new National Occupation List (NOL) occupations in the Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV)

Immigration New Zealand (INZ) is making changes to how occupations are assessed under the Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV) programme, following the creation of new roles in the National Occupation List (NOL) July update.

4 Sep 2025 | Topic:Work Support Immigrant Employees
Immigrant rules and processes

Business Investor Visa offers new immigration options for investors

The Government has announced the closure of the Entrepreneur Work Visa and introduced a new Business Investor Visa to attract experienced investors who will help grow New Zealand’s economy by actively running businesses.

27 Aug 2025 | Topic:Invest or start a business

New Parent Boost Visitor Visa is now open

The Parent Boost Visitor Visa allows eligible parents of New Zealand citizens and residents to stay for up to 5 years, with renewal options. Sponsorship and insurance are required.

20 Aug 2025 | Topic:Visit

New seasonal visa pathways to support workforce demand

To help address labour shortages during peak seasons, the Government is introducing 2 new visa options under the Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV) framework: the Global Workforce Seasonal Visa (GWSV) and the Peak Seasonal Visa (PSV).

11 Aug 2025 | Topic: Work Hiring Work

Active Investor Plus Visa

17 July 2025 | Topic: Investor

Upcoming changes to student visa work rights

On Monday 14 July 2025, the Government announced the International Education Going for Growth Plan.

14 July 2025 | Topic: Visa holders and applicants, Study

Changes to Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV) form questions for Green List occupations and wage thresholds

Changes are being made to the online application form for Green List occupations and to the wage thresholds for AEWV.

8 July 2025 | Topic: Work

Update to the Parent Resident Visa Category

Some small changes are being made to the Parent Resident Visa Category from 1 July 2025

1 July 2025 | Announcement

Changes to make it easier for Chinese nationals to transit through New Zealand

From 18 August 2025, international student visa applications are moving to Immigration New Zealand’s enhanced Immigration Online system. If you are applying for an international student visa in this timeframe, there are some important things you need to know about how we will manage applications over this transition.

18 June 2025 | Announcement

Further updates to the List of Qualifications Exempt from Assessment from June 2025

Further updates have been made to the List of Qualifications Exempt from Assessment (LQEA) and will come into effect from 23 June 2025

18 June 2025 | Announcement

International student visa applications moving to enhanced Immigration Online

From 18 August 2025, international student visa applications are moving to Immigration New Zealand’s enhanced Immigration Online system. If you are applying for an international student visa in this timeframe, there are some important things you need to know about how we will manage applications over this transition.

17 June 2025 | Announcement

Changes to welcome visitors from China

The Government has announced changes to make it easier for Chinese tourists to travel to New Zealand.

16 June 2025 | Announcement

Ten trades occupations to be added to the Work to Residence pathway

Ten trades occupations will be added to the Work to Residence pathway on the Green List of in-demand occupations in August 2025. The median wage thresholds for skilled resident visas will also be updated.

13 June 2025 | Announcement

New 'Parent Boost' Visitor Visa to strengthen family connections

The Government has announced a new long-term visitor visa to help unite families and enhance New Zealand’s appeal to highly skilled migrants.

9 June 2025 | Announcement

Apply early to get ahead of the student visa peak

22 May 2025 | Announcement

Changes to certification requirements for translations of visitor visa supporting documents

7 May 2025 | Announcement

Timor-Leste to be added to Recognised Employer SchemeOn 28 April 2025, Timor-Leste will be added to the Recognised Employer Scheme

22 Apr 2025 | 1 minute read

Changes to Visitor Visa for PacificNew Zealand is welcoming Pacific visitors by making it easier to travel here with changes to immigration settings that will come into effect later this year.

11 Apr 2025 | 2 minute read

Changes to Interim VisasOn 8 April 2025, changes come into effect to grant work rights for people on interim visas while they await the outcome of an Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV) application.

31 Mar 2025 | 1 minute read

27 Mar 2025

Health screening for children of temporary visa holders to changeFrom 17 March 2025, the health requirements for dependent children of temporary visa holders are changing.

14 Mar 2025 | 1 minute read

Investor category update provides attractive investment optionsChanges are being made to the Active Investor Plus Visa to help New Zealand encourage growth and make investing in New Zealand more attractive.

3 Mar 2025 | 5 minute read

Planned upgrades for 2025Find out when we are planning to upgrade our online visa application systems in 2025.

26 February 2025

Government announces primary teachers to be added to the straight to residence pathwayFrom 26 March 2025, primary teachers will be added to the straight to residence pathway.

25 February 2025 | 1 minute read

Changes to the Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV) and median wageA number of changes will be made to the AEWV in March 2025. Changes will also be made to the median wage in February 2025.

20 February 2025 | 6 minute read

International marketsA section dedicated to our international student markets to provide the industry with information and intelligence. We will be adding more markets here over time as a result of industry feedback.

18 February 2025

Parent Resident Visa successful Expressions of Interest (EOIs)Find out which Expressions of Interest (EOIs) have been drawn from the ballot.

18 February 2025

Allocation priorities for international student visa applicationsChanges are being made to help students in New Zealand who are waiting to begin their new study.

18 February 2025 | 2 minute read

English language testing for visa applicants in the PacificEnglish language testing will be taking place in Samoa and Tonga in the coming weeks.

11 February 2025 | 1 minute read

Investor CategoryThe Active Investor Plus Visa category incentivises direct investment and encourages greater economic benefit to New Zealand.

9 February 2025 | 2 minute read

Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV) key information and statisticsKey information about the Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV).

7 February 2025 | 6 minute read

Allocation priorities for international student visa applicationsChanges are being made to help students in New Zealand who are waiting to begin their new study.

3 February 2025 | 3 minute read

Immigration New Zealand process for visitor visa applications from IsraelImmigration New Zealand (INZ) has not enacted any new policies for processing visitor visa applications from Israeli or Palestinian nationals.

29 January 2025 | 3 minute read

Cargo ship crew and passengers can apply for an NZeTA from 3 February 2025From 1 April 2025, all crew members and passengers on foreign cargo ships must have a New Zealand electronic Travel Authority (NZeTA) before they can travel to New Zealand.

28 January 2025 | 2 minute read

Working remotely from New ZealandThe Government announced today that the rules for visitors are changing and people arriving on a visitor visa or NZeTA can work for overseas employers while visiting New Zealand.

27 January 2025 | 2 minute read

2025 opening dates for capped Working Holiday Schemes confirmedThe 2025 reopening dates for capped Working Holiday Schemes (WHS) have now been confirmed.

23 January 2025 | 2 minute read

Changes to Employment New Zealand module requirements and domestic workforce threshold for AEWV coming into effectThe requirement for accredited employers to complete Employment New Zealand's online modules is being removed on 27 January 2025.

23 January 2025 | 2 minute read

Immigration New Zealand’s 2024 achievements2024 was yet another big year for Immigration New Zealand (INZ); busier than ever with visa processing, shaping our services for the future, resettling refugees, managing the border and much more.

23 January 2025 | 3 minute read

Increase to the Visa Application Centre (VAC) service feesAs of 31 December 2024, the service fee you pay to some Visa Application Centres (VAC) has changed.

15 January 2025 | 1 minute read

Immigration New Zealand’s response to the conflict between Hamas and IsraelNew Zealand is gravely concerned by the impact of this conflict on civilians. The loss of life is appalling. The Government is continuing to monitor the situation closely, along with our partners.

15 January 2025 | 4 minute read

Support for RSE workers and employers affected by Vanuatu earthquakeImmigration New Zealand (INZ) has been working quickly to support ni-Vanuatu Recognised Seasonal Employer (RSE) workers who are impacted by the 7.3 magnitude earthquake in Port Vila this week.

20 Dec 2024 | 1 minute read

Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV) key information and statisticsKey information about the Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV).

18 Dec 2024 | 6 minute read

Reforms to Accredited Employer Work Visa announcedThe Government has announced reforms to the Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV).

17 Dec 2024 | 4 minute read

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