Immigration New Zealand (INZ) has announced that, from November 16, 2026, family members of New Zealand citizens or residents applying for temporary entry visas can submit new applications in enhanced Immigration Online.
The following visas are included in this transition:
Visitor visas:
- Child of a New Zealander Visitor Visa
- Partner of a New Zealander Visitor Visa
Work visas:
- Partner of a New Zealander Work Visa
Student visas:
- Child of a New Zealander Student Visa
After this date, enhanced Immigration Online will be the preferred system for receiving these visa applications.
INZ is also considering changes to paper-based applications and applications received through the old Immigration Online system.
At present, INZ is not making any changes to applications for family members of New Zealand citizens or residents applying for residence visas.
INZ has been progressively moving visa applications onto its enhanced Immigration Online system since 2021.
Immigration instruction updates
As part of preparing for this move to enhanced Immigration Online, INZ is updating the immigration instructions for these visas. The changes include:
- allowing children who are eligible for domestic student status to apply for a Child of New Zealander Student Visa;
- clarifying health instructions for requesting and assessing medical certificates;
- extending the maximum visitor visa duration from 9 to 12 months for children of New Zealand residents or citizens;
- clarifying the duration of partnership visas for couples who have lived together for less than 12 months;
- allowing some residence applications to be deferred where the outcome of court proceedings could affect a supporting partner’s eligibility.
These updates will be published in the coming weeks and will take effect on November 16, 2026.
Erickson Insights & Analysis
Erickson Immigration Group will continue to monitor developments and share updates as more news becomes available. Please contact your employer or EIG attorney if you have questions about anything we’re reporting above or if you have case-specific questions.