Visas for NZ

01/09/2026

🇳🇿 𝗜𝗡𝗭 𝗨𝗣𝗗𝗔𝗧𝗘 | 𝗖𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗴𝗲𝘀 𝘁𝗼 𝗩𝗶𝘀𝗮 𝗔𝗽𝗽𝗹𝗶𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗖𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗿𝗲 𝗦𝗲𝗿𝘃𝗶𝗰𝗲𝘀 🇳🇿

Immigration New Zealand has announced important changes for applicants in Tonga and Samoa.

📍 𝗡𝗲𝘄 𝗩𝗶𝘀𝗮 𝗔𝗽𝗽𝗹𝗶𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗖𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗿𝗲 𝗶𝗻 𝗧𝗼𝗻𝗴𝗮
From 𝟭𝟰 𝗦𝗲𝗽𝘁𝗲𝗺𝗯𝗲𝗿 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲, a new VAC will open in Nuku’alofa, Tonga.

✅ Paper applications should be lodged through the VAC
✅ Face-to-face services will be available
✅ Longer daily opening hours
✅ Appointments can be booked
✅ A VAC service fee will apply
✅ Recognised Seasonal Employer visa applications must also be submitted through the Tonga VAC from 14 September

🇼🇸 𝗦𝗮𝗺𝗼𝗮𝗻 𝗤𝘂𝗼𝘁𝗮 𝗥𝗲𝘀𝗶𝗱𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗩𝗶𝘀𝗮 𝗨𝗽𝗱𝗮𝘁𝗲
From 𝟳 𝗦𝗲𝗽𝘁𝗲𝗺𝗯𝗲𝗿 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲, Samoan Quota Resident Visa applicants will submit their paper applications, supporting documents and application fee directly to the Apia VAC.

📌 Important: Immigration New Zealand Apia will continue to assess and decide applications. The change only affects how applications and documents are received and digitised.

💙 Need help with your New Zealand visa application?

At Visas for NZ, we provide professional immigration advice through a Licensed New Zealand Immigration Adviser.

📞 +64 22 367 8134
📧 [email protected]
🌐 www.visasfornz.com

𝘐𝘮𝘮𝘪𝘨𝘳𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯 𝘪𝘴 𝘤𝘰𝘮𝘱𝘭𝘦𝘹. 𝘞𝘦 𝘮𝘢𝘬𝘦 𝘪𝘵 𝘦𝘢𝘴𝘺.

20/08/2026

🇳🇿❤️ 𝗙𝗥𝗘𝗘 𝗖𝗢𝗡𝗦𝗨𝗟𝗧𝗔𝗧𝗜𝗢𝗡 – 𝗕𝗥𝗜𝗡𝗚 𝗬𝗢𝗨𝗥 𝗙𝗔𝗠𝗜𝗟𝗬 𝗧𝗢 𝗡𝗘𝗪 𝗭𝗘𝗔𝗟𝗔𝗡𝗗!

Do you already hold a 𝗡𝗲𝘄 𝗭𝗲𝗮𝗹𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘃𝗶𝘀𝗮 and want to explore options to bring your 𝗽𝗮𝗿𝘁𝗻𝗲𝗿 𝗼𝗿 𝗰𝗵𝗶𝗹𝗱 to join you in New Zealand?

💙 𝗪𝗲’𝗿𝗲 𝗼𝗳𝗳𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗙𝗥𝗘𝗘 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝘀𝘂𝗹𝘁𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 for eligible individuals who would like to discuss their family visa options and possible pathways.

📌 𝗜𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗱? 𝗛𝗲𝗿𝗲’𝘀 𝘄𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝘁𝗼 𝗱𝗼:

1️⃣ Fill in the consultation request form:
https://forms.monday.com/forms/007022b1d0a5a16a028fa080108cb4a2?r=apse2

2️⃣ Send a copy of your current NZ visa to:
📧 [email protected]



🕐 𝗙𝗥𝗘𝗘 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝘀𝘂𝗹𝘁𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗮𝘃𝗮𝗶𝗹𝗮𝗯𝗹𝗲 𝗠𝗼𝗻𝗱𝗮𝘆–𝗙𝗿𝗶𝗱𝗮𝘆, 𝟭:𝟬𝟬 𝗣𝗠–𝟱:𝟬𝟬 𝗣𝗠 𝗡𝗭 𝗧𝗶𝗺𝗲.

📅 𝗕𝗼𝗼𝗸 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗙𝗥𝗘𝗘 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝘀𝘂𝗹𝘁𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝘁𝗼 𝘀𝗲𝗰𝘂𝗿𝗲 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗽𝗿𝗲𝗳𝗲𝗿𝗿𝗲𝗱 𝘁𝗶𝗺𝗲 𝘀𝗹𝗼𝘁.

Our 𝗟𝗶𝗰𝗲𝗻𝘀𝗲𝗱 𝗜𝗺𝗺𝗶𝗴𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗔𝗱𝘃𝗶𝘀𝗲𝗿 can discuss your situation, possible visa options and the next steps based on your circumstances.

⚠️ 𝗟𝗶𝗺𝗶𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝘀𝘂𝗹𝘁𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝘀𝗹𝗼𝘁𝘀 𝗮𝘃𝗮𝗶𝗹𝗮𝗯𝗹𝗲.

📞 +𝟲𝟰 𝟮𝟮 𝟯𝟲𝟳 𝟴𝟭𝟯𝟰
📧 𝗶𝗻𝗳𝗼@𝘃𝗶𝘀𝗮𝘀𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗻𝘇.𝗰𝗼𝗺

𝗩𝗶𝘀𝗮𝘀 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗡𝗭

𝘐𝘮𝘮𝘪𝘨𝘳𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯 𝘪𝘴 𝘤𝘰𝘮𝘱𝘭𝘦𝘹. 𝘞𝘦 𝘮𝘢𝘬𝘦 𝘪𝘵 𝘦𝘢𝘴𝘺.

19/08/2026

🇳🇿 INZ UPDATE | STUDENT VISA APPLICATIONS 🎓

📅 From 24 August 2026, Immigration New Zealand is making it easier for students to provide their passport details when applying through enhanced Immigration Online.

📘 Instead of manually entering passport information, applicants will be able to upload a digital scan of their passport. Key details will then be automatically populated into the application.

Students will still need to check that the information is correct and can edit it if needed.

🎓 This change applies to:
✅ Fee Paying Student Visa
✅ English Language Student Visa
✅ Exchange Student Visa
✅ Pathway Student Visa
✅ New Zealand Government Scholarship Student Visa
✅ Foreign Government Supported Student Visa

💡 What does this mean for students?
✔️ Less manual data entry
✔️ More accurate passport information
✔️ Lower risk of errors affecting travel
✔️ A simpler application process

⚠️ Important: This update only changes how passport information is captured in the application.

There are NO changes to student visa eligibility requirements, assessment settings, or supporting documentation requirements.

🎓 Planning to study in New Zealand?

Make sure you understand the visa requirements and choose the right pathway for your circumstances.

At Visas for NZ, our immigration advice is provided by a Licensed New Zealand Immigration Adviser.

📞 +64 22 367 8134
📧 [email protected]

Immigration is complex. We make it easy. 🇳🇿

14/08/2026

👉 𝐑𝐞𝐠𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐭 𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞: https://wkf.ms/4dkvY4U

📢 𝐈𝐍𝐙 𝐔𝐩𝐝𝐚𝐭𝐞: 𝐅𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐃𝐞𝐭𝐚𝐢𝐥𝐬 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐟𝐢𝐫𝐦𝐞𝐝 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐒𝐤𝐢𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐝 𝐌𝐢𝐠𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐭 𝐂𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐠𝐨𝐫𝐲 (𝐒𝐌𝐂) 𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐞𝐬

Immigration New Zealand has released the final details of the upcoming 𝐒𝐤𝐢𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐝 𝐌𝐢𝐠𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐭 𝐂𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐠𝐨𝐫𝐲 (𝐒𝐌𝐂) changes, which will take effect on 24 August 2026.

📌 𝐊𝐞𝐲 𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐞𝐬:

✔️ New Skilled Work Experience Pathway

✔️ New Trades & Technician Pathway

✔️ Increased points for New Zealand qualifications

✔️ Reduced skilled work experience requirements under some pathways

✔️ Simplified wage settings for SMC and Work to Residence applicants

✔️ Updated qualification and employment requirements

These changes may create new opportunities for some migrants while changing eligibility requirements for others.

📌 If you're working in New Zealand or planning your pathway to residence, now is a great time to understand how these changes may affect you.

📩 Contact us TODAY to discuss your situation and find out whether you may benefit from the new rules coming into effect in August 2026.

👉 𝐑𝐞𝐠𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐭 𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞: https://wkf.ms/4dkvY4U

14/08/2026

🇳🇿 INZ UPDATE | CLEARER RULES FOR ACTIVE INVESTOR PLUS 🇳🇿

Important changes to the Active Investor Plus Visa are now in effect from 12 August 2026, providing investors with greater clarity and certainty around investment requirements.

Clearer rules now apply to:
• Transfer of funds
• Gifted funds
• Commercial lending institutions
• Managed fund agreements
• Borrowed funds

👨‍👩‍👧 Important update for families:
A new approach also allows children born after an investor visa is approved to potentially be granted a visa as secondary applicants in their parent’s Permanent Resident Visa, Variation of Travel Conditions, or Second/Subsequent Resident Visa applications, provided the eligibility requirements are met.

The transfer-of-funds requirements for the Parent Retirement Resident Visa and Temporary Retirement Visitor Visa have also been updated to align with the Active Investor Plus settings.

Considering an investor visa or unsure how these changes may affect you?

Professional immigration advice can help you understand your options and requirements before making important investment or visa decisions.

📞 +64 22 367 8134
📧 [email protected]
🌐 www.visasfornz.com

🇳🇿 Visas for NZ
Immigration is complex. We make it easy.

10/08/2026

🇳🇿 INZ UPDATE: Parent Resident Visa Changes from 5 October 2026

From 5 October 2026, Parent Resident Visa EOIs will move to a new hybrid selection model - with around 90% selected by date order and 10% through the random ballot.

The annual visa allocation remains at 2,500. If you have a Parent Resident Visa EOI, it’s important to understand how these changes may affect you.

📩 Need advice about your options?

Contact Visas for NZ.

Email: [email protected]

WhatsApp: +64 4 934 9533

05/08/2026

📢 𝐈𝐍𝐙 𝐔𝐩𝐝𝐚𝐭𝐞: 𝐇𝐞𝐩𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐬 𝐁 & 𝐂 𝐑𝐞𝐦𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐝 𝐟𝐫𝐨𝐦 𝐑𝐞𝐬𝐢𝐝𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐕𝐢𝐬𝐚 𝐇𝐢𝐠𝐡-𝐂𝐨𝐬𝐭 𝐇𝐞𝐚𝐥𝐭𝐡 𝐋𝐢𝐬𝐭

From 3 August 2026, Immigration New Zealand has updated its acceptable standard of health requirements for Resident Visa applicants.

📌 𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐘𝐨𝐮 𝐍𝐞𝐞𝐝 𝐭𝐨 𝐊𝐧𝐨𝐰:

✔️ Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C have been removed from the list of high-cost health conditions.

✔️ Applicants with Hepatitis B or C will no longer be automatically assessed as not meeting the acceptable standard of health requirements.

✔️ Instead, each application will be assessed based on the individual's specific medical circumstances.

✔️ Immigration New Zealand has also updated and clarified the wording for several other high-cost health conditions to better reflect current treatment options and assessment criteria.

These changes recognise the reduced cost of treatment and help ensure health assessments are based on an applicant's individual circumstances.

📩 Unsure how these changes may affect your Resident Visa application?

Contact us today. Our Licensed Immigration Adviser (LIA #201800725), can assess your situation and guide you through the application process.

Form: https://bit.ly/VFNZInitialAssessment
Email: [email protected]
WhatsApp: +64 4 934 9533

28/07/2026

📢 𝐍𝐙𝐐𝐀 𝐔𝐩𝐝𝐚𝐭𝐞: 𝐈𝐦𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐚𝐧𝐭 𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐞𝐬 𝐭𝐨 𝐀𝐩𝐩𝐥𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐓𝐞𝐫𝐦𝐬 & 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐝𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬

The New Zealand Qualifications Authority (𝐍𝐙𝐐𝐀) has announced important updates to its application Terms and Conditions, effective 30 July 2026.
If you're planning to have your overseas qualifications assessed, here are the key changes you should know.

📌 𝐊𝐞𝐲 𝐔𝐩𝐝𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐬:

✔️ 𝐑𝐞𝐪𝐮𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐬 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐅𝐮𝐫𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐈𝐧𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐦𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧
Applicants must provide any requested documents within 15 working days.

Failure to do so may result in the application being declined or cancelled, with a "cannot be recognised" outcome. A new application and fee will then be required.

✔️ 𝐀𝐫𝐭𝐢𝐟𝐢𝐜𝐢𝐚𝐥 𝐈𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐥𝐥𝐢𝐠𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞 (𝐀𝐈)
NZQA may use AI to help check that all required documents have been submitted.
All qualification recognition decisions and appeals will continue to be made by NZQA staff.

✔️ 𝐀𝐩𝐩𝐞𝐚𝐥𝐬
The timeframe to lodge an appeal has changed to 20 working days from the date the recognition statement is published.

✔️ 𝐒𝐜𝐡𝐞𝐝𝐮𝐥𝐞𝐝 𝐏𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐚𝐥 𝐌𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐧𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞
The NZQA application portal will be unavailable from 12:00 pm (NZT), Friday 31 July 2026 until 8:00 am (NZT), Monday 3 August 2026.

During this period, applications cannot be submitted, updated, or viewed.

⚠️ 𝐈𝐦𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐚𝐧𝐭 𝐑𝐞𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐫
Submit a complete application with all required documents and verification evidence to avoid delays, additional costs, or having to submit a new application.
NZQA also reminds applicants that fraudulent documents or information are taken seriously. Applications involving fraud may be cancelled, relevant authorities may be notified, and future applications may also be declined.

📩 Need help with your NZQA qualification assessment?

Contact us today!

Form: https://bit.ly/VFNZInitialAssessment
Email: [email protected]
WhatsApp: +64 4 934 9533

20/07/2026

📢 𝐈𝐍𝐙 𝐔𝐩𝐝𝐚𝐭𝐞: 𝐑𝐞𝐟𝐮𝐠𝐞𝐞 𝐓𝐫𝐚𝐯𝐞𝐥 𝐃𝐨𝐜𝐮𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐬 𝐭𝐨 𝐁𝐞 𝐈𝐬𝐬𝐮𝐞𝐝 𝐀𝐟𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐀𝐫𝐫𝐢𝐯𝐚𝐥

From 21 July 2026, eligible refugees arriving in New Zealand will be issued 𝐑𝐞𝐟𝐮𝐠𝐞𝐞 𝐓𝐫𝐚𝐯𝐞𝐥 𝐃𝐨𝐜𝐮𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐬 (𝐑𝐓𝐃𝐬) after they arrive in the country.

The change will initially apply to people aged 16 and over arriving under the Refugee Quota Programme.

📌 𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐘𝐨𝐮 𝐍𝐞𝐞𝐝 𝐭𝐨 𝐊𝐧𝐨𝐰:

✔️ A 𝐑𝐞𝐟𝐮𝐠𝐞𝐞 𝐓𝐫𝐚𝐯𝐞𝐥 𝐃𝐨𝐜𝐮𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 is a secure, passport-like document issued by the 𝐃𝐞𝐩𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐨𝐟 𝐈𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐀𝐟𝐟𝐚𝐢𝐫𝐬 (𝐃𝐈𝐀).

✔️ It helps eligible refugees prove their identity, access services, and travel internationally, where permitted.

✔️ Refugee Travel Documents cannot be issued while a person is offshore.

✔️ The 𝐂𝐞𝐫𝐭𝐢𝐟𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐈𝐝𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐭𝐲 will continue to be used for refugees travelling to New Zealand if they do not have a passport.
This update is part of a joint initiative between Immigration New Zealand and the Department of Internal Affairs to improve access to secure, internationally recognised travel documents for former refugees.

📩 Have questions about refugee or humanitarian visa pathways in New Zealand?

Contact us today to discuss your options with our 𝐋𝐢𝐜𝐞𝐧𝐬𝐞𝐝 𝐈𝐦𝐦𝐢𝐠𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐀𝐝𝐯𝐢𝐬𝐞𝐫 (𝐋𝐈𝐀) #201800725

Email: [email protected]
WhatsApp: +64 4 934 9533

15/07/2026

📢 𝐈𝐍𝐙 𝐔𝐩𝐝𝐚𝐭𝐞: 𝐂𝐥𝐚𝐫𝐢𝐟𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐨𝐧 𝐏𝐚𝐭𝐡𝐰𝐚𝐲 𝐒𝐭𝐮𝐝𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐕𝐢𝐬𝐚 𝐑𝐞𝐪𝐮𝐢𝐫𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐬

Immigration New Zealand has provided further clarification on the recent 𝐏𝐚𝐭𝐡𝐰𝐚𝐲 𝐒𝐭𝐮𝐝𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐕𝐢𝐬𝐚 (𝐏𝐒𝐕) changes that took effect on 20 July 2026.

📌 𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐘𝐨𝐮 𝐍𝐞𝐞𝐝 𝐭𝐨 𝐊𝐧𝐨𝐰:

✔️ When applying, Year 12 and 13 students must still confirm:

• Subject area they intend to study (e.g. Science, Health, Engineering)

• Qualification level (e.g. Bachelor's Degree)

• Education provider they plan to attend (e.g. University of Otago)

✔️ Once the visa is granted, the visa conditions will only specify the qualification level and the education provider.

✔️ This means students can change their tertiary discipline (for example, from Mechanical Engineering to Business Administration) without needing to apply for another student visa, provided they continue to meet their visa conditions.

These changes are designed to give students greater flexibility while keeping their study pathway simple and straightforward.

📩 Planning to study in New Zealand?

Contact us today to find out whether the Pathway Student Visa is the right option for you. Our Licensed Immigration Adviser #201800725 (LIA), is here to help you every step of the way.

Email: [email protected]

WhatsApp: +64 4 934 9533