Navigating New Zealand Visas in 2026: Key Options and Steps

(New Zealand) — New Zealand changed the service fee paid to some Visa Application Centres from January 1, 2026, as part of a set of updated visa rules and process requirements affecting visitors, students, workers and would-be residents.

The service fee changes were described as increases “necessary to maintain service quality and efficiency,” in guidance that also flagged shifting priorities for visa processing and major reforms due later in 2026.

Applicants weighing a New Zealand move or visit face a mix of immediate procedural updates and larger policy shifts, including two new seasonal work visa options that opened for applications on December 8, 2025, and substantial reforms to the Skilled Migrant Category (SMC) Resident Visa set to take effect in August 2026.

Overview of new family and visitor options

• Newer options for families include the Parent Boost Visitor Visa, designed to allow eligible parents of New Zealand citizens and residents to stay longer with multiple entry rights.
• Standard visitor and parent visa features:
• Visitor Visa: for tourists wishing to stay up to 9 months.
• Parent Boost Visitor Visa: allows eligible parents to stay for up to five years with multiple entry rights, with the option to apply for a second five-year visa for a total stay of up to ten years.

Visa categories (at a glance)

New Zealand’s main visa categories remain:
– Visitor Visa
– Student Visa
– Work Visa
– Resident Visa

Applicants should choose based on purpose and intended timeline.

Skilled Migrant Category (SMC) — major reforms (effective August 2026)

The guide describes the SMC changes coming in August 2026 as “the most significant overhaul since the simplified points system was introduced in October 2023.” Key elements:

• Two new residence pathways that substantially expand eligibility.
• Changes to work experience, wage requirements, and points recognition for qualifications.
• The reforms are framed under the government’s “Going for Growth” program.

New SMC pathways

1. Skilled Work Experience Pathway

– Applies to roles classified under ANZSCO skill levels 1–3.
– Requires at least five years of directly relevant work experience, including at least two years in New Zealand earning at least 1.1 times the median wage.

1. Trades & Technician Pathway

– Applies to foreign nationals with relevant qualifications at Level 4 or above.
– Requires at least four years of post-qualification skilled work experience, including at least 18 months in New Zealand at or above the median wage.
– Described as “a major shift in recognizing the value of practical trade skills alongside professional qualifications.”

Other SMC changes

• Work experience requirements for certain SMC pathways will be reduced from three years to a maximum of two years in some cases.
• Relevant international work experience may continue to be recognized toward overall eligibility.
• The “wage increase requirement during the qualifying period” will be removed. Under the new approach, applicants must maintain at least the median wage threshold while working in New Zealand to remain eligible.
• New Zealand university-level qualifications will receive increased weighting in the points framework, linked to the government’s International Education Plan for Growth.
• Where points are claimed for an overseas qualification:
• It must be assessed by the New Zealand Qualifications Authority (NZQA) through an International Qualification Assessment (IQA), or
• Be recognized on the List of Qualifications Exempt from Assessment.

These SMC reforms broaden routes to residence and increase recognition for trade and practical experience while adjusting wage and points rules to better reflect local labour market priorities.

AEWV and work-visa changes — timeline and key reforms (2025)

A number of changes to the Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV) and related employer requirements were implemented throughout 2025. Major items:

• January 2025
• Removed requirement for accredited employers to complete Employment New Zealand’s online modules or to offer migrants paid time to do these.
• Reduced the required percentage of New Zealanders certain construction-sector businesses must employ from 35% to 15%.

• March 2025

• Wage thresholds for all AEWV roles were removed, though employers must still advertise and offer AEWV employees the market rate for their position and location.
• Minimum experience requirement for lower-skilled migrants reduced to two years.
• Visa duration for new applicants in Level 4–5 roles increased from two to three years (aligning with maximum continuous stay).
• Labour market test amended to a declaration-based model:
• Employers must advertise with the Ministry of Social Development (MSD).
• Employers must demonstrate they considered New Zealanders who applied “in good faith.”

• Inflation-adjusted the income threshold for an AEWV holder to support a dependent child from NZ$43,322 to NZ$55,844.

• April 2025

• Interim work rights extended to AEWV applicants applying from any work visa type or from a student visa that allows work during term time.

• Mid-2025

• Introduced a new Job Check process to streamline applications for low-risk employers and improve processing timeframes.

Table — Selected AEWV 2025 changes

Documentation rules and employer scrutiny (late 2025)

• December 8, 2025: Immigration rules tightened requiring a valid police clearance certificate (PCC) at the time of AEWV application submission.
• Receipts showing an applicant has applied for a PCC will no longer be accepted and may lead to application denial or a visa issued with shorter validity.

• Purpose: decrease processing times by encouraging fully documented submissions.

• November 17, 2025: Employer scrutiny rules changed allowing Immigration New Zealand to pause Job Change applications “if serious concerns are identified about the employer.”

• These measures apply only “in exceptional cases” and aim to strengthen protections for migrant workers while keeping genuine business transfers straightforward.

National Occupation List (NOL) updates

• The NOL became New Zealand’s official job classification system in November 2024, replacing ANZSCO.
• An update on July 1, 2025 added new occupations at skill levels 1–3.
• Changes “went live” on November 3, 2025, enabling some workers in Level 4 or 5 roles to apply for a further AEWV to extend their maximum continuous stay.

Seasonal work visas and options (late 2025 — Dec 8, 2025)

• December 8, 2025: Two new seasonal visa options opened for applications:
• Global Workforce Seasonal Visa (GWSV)
• Peak Seasonal Visa (PSV)

• Both were designed to make it easier for accredited employers to hire for genuine seasonal roles while maintaining protections against misuse.

• November 2025: Introduced two additional seasonal pathways:

• 3-year multi-entry visa for experienced workers.
• 7-month single-entry visa for lesser-skilled workers.
• Existing temporary seasonal pathways remain available alongside the new options.

Recognised Seasonal Employer (RSE) program — accommodation cost changes (April 2026)

• From April 2026, a new approach to accommodation costs takes effect:
• Weekly rent caps will range from NZD $150 to NZD $211, depending on accommodation quality and features.
• Quality is assessed using clear criteria.
• Rent caps will be updated annually to keep pace with inflation.

Processing priorities, timelines and service fees

• Priority is being given to processing applications for skilled residence visas, including:
• Straight to Residence Visa
• Skilled Migrant Category Resident Visa
• Work to Residence Visa
• Processing times are described as ranging from a few weeks to several months, with no specific timelines provided by category.
• For applicants using visa service channels, the guide flags service fee changes that took effect January 1, 2026 for some Visa Application Centres.
• The increases are linked to maintaining service quality and efficiency.
• The guidance does not list specific fee amounts or identify which centres are affected.

Practical application guidance

The guidance provides a general approach for applicants:

1. Determine the right visa category for your purpose.
2. Apply online.
3. Gather supporting documents:

– Proof of identity
– Police clearance certificates (where required)
– Evidence of qualifications and work experience
4. Be prepared for interviews or requests for additional information.
5. For work visas:
– The New Zealand employer must be an accredited employer.
– Applicants must meet requirements tied to skill level and occupation.

Important: Start early and stay organised. Fully documented submissions (including valid police certificates where required) reduce the risk of refusals or shortened visas.

Kia ora — for more details, refer to the full guide at rewrite.