Immigration New Zealand (INZ) has announced that family of temporary visa holders can submit new applications to be processed in INZ’s enhanced Immigration Online portal. The following visas are included in this transition:
Student Visas
- Dependent Child Student Visa
Work Visas
- Partner of a Worker Work Visa
- Partner of Military Work Visa
- Partner of a Student Work Visa
- Partner of an NZ Scholarship Student Work Visa
Visitor Visas
- Partner of a Worker Visitor Visa
- Child of a Worker Visitor Visa
- Partner of a Student Visitor Visa
- Child of a Student Visitor Visa
- Partner of Military Visitor Visa
- Child of Military Visitor Visa
New applications for these visas will be automatically directed through enhanced Immigration Online from June 1, 2026. Applications submitted in the old system will continue to be processed.
Those who have a draft application in the old system can choose to complete and submit it or can start a new application in enhanced Immigration Online.
INZ first introduced this platform in 2021 and has already moved several types of visa applications onto it, including International Student Visas, Visitor Visas, Accredited Employer Work Visas and Permanent Resident Visas.
The application form in the old system is used for other visa application types. The old form will be closed once those visas have moved to enhanced Immigration Online. INZ will contact people with draft applications to ensure they have enough time to complete their application before closing the form.
Other family visa types will be transitioned at different stages of the programme.
INZ also warns that it may also reconsider its approach to paper-based applications for the visas moving to enhanced Immigration Online.
Erickson Insights & 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.