Immigration New Zealand (INZ) has announced that, effective September 24, 2026, new applications for most visitor visas will be available exclusively through INZ’s enhanced Immigration Online system.
Many visitor visa products have been moved to enhanced Immigration Online since the system was first introduced in 2021. With the transition of Group and Tour Escort visitor visa applications from August 24, 2026, most visitor visas will then be available through enhanced Immigration Online. INZ is taking this opportunity to close some visitor visa application forms in the old online system.
From September 24, 2026
Users will no longer be able to create new applications for these visas in the old system. New applications for these visa types must be submitted through enhanced Immigration Online.
Existing draft applications can still be completed and submitted through the old system. Users do not need to resubmit applications they have already submitted.
INZ will be actively contacting draft application holders.
From October 8, 2026
The specified list of application forms will close in the old system, and any remaining draft applications will be deleted.
Users will need to start a new application in enhanced Immigration Online if they still wish to apply.
They will continue to have access to their submitted applications in the old system to upload documents and respond to requests from Immigration New Zealand until the application is decided and the decision is communicated.
Visitor visa application form closures
This change applies to the following visa types:
- Visitor Visa
- Business Visitor Visa
- Academic Visitor Visa
- Arts and Music Festival Visitor Visa
- Culturally Arranged Marriage Visitor Visa
- Crew joining a Ship or Plane Visitor Visa
- Dismissed Worker Visitor Visa
- Escort of Medical Patients Visitor Visa
- German Law Student Visitor Visa
- Guardian Visitor Visa
- Medical Treatment Visitor Visa
- Occupational Registration Visitor Visa
- Parent and Grandparent Visitor Visa
- Pitcairn Islander Visitor Visa
- Private Yacht or Plane Visitor Visa
- Short-term Entertainment Act Visitor Visa
- Sports Events Visitor Visa
- Super Yachts Visitor Visa
- Trafficking Child Victim Visitor Visa (applications for this visa will be paper only)
- Visiting Media Visitor Visa
Available in enhanced Immigration Online from August 24, 2026:
- Approved Destination Status (ADS) Group Visitor Visa
- Group Visitor Visa — replacing MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions) and FAO (Foreign Affairs Official) in the enhanced system
- Tour Escort Visitor Visa
To access submitted or draft applications in the old system, users can visit Access Immigration Online.
Visitor visas not affected by this change
The following visas were transitioned to the enhanced system in June 2026, and enhanced Immigration Online is the preferred system for receiving these applications. Applications submitted through the enhanced system will be prioritized for assessment.
- Partner of Military Visitor Visa
- Child of Military Visitor Visa
- Partner of a Student Visitor Visa
- Child of a Student Visitor Visa
- Partner of a Worker Visitor Visa
- Child of a Worker Visitor Visa
No changes are being made to the following list of visitor visa application forms, these will remain available in the old system until they are transitioned to enhanced Immigration Online:
- Partner of a New Zealander Visitor Visa
- Child of a New Zealander Visitor Visa
Erickson Insights and Analysis
Erickson Immigration Group will continue monitoring developments and sharing updates as more news is 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.