Announcement
Changes to use of paper applications for some visitor and transit visas
Published
04 September 2026
From 1 October 2026, applications for selected visitor and transit visas must be submitted through Immigration New Zealand's (INZ) enhanced Immigration Online system.
If you currently use paper application forms for any of these visas, there are some important things you need to know.
Over recent years, we have progressively moved visa application and processing into enhanced Immigration Online. Today, most visitor visa and all transit visa applications can be submitted online through the enhanced system.
Moving applications online makes it easier for customers to apply and track their applications, while helping us focus on providing a more efficient and effective application process.
What is changing
From 1 October 2026, we will stop accepting paper applications for a selected group of visitor and transit visas. From this date, applications for the visa types listed below must be submitted through enhanced Immigration Online.
Paper applications submitted before 1 October 2026 will continue to be processed as normal. You do not need to do anything if you have already submitted a paper application.
Transit visa
Visitor Visas
- General Visitor Visa
- Business Visitor Visa
- Group Visitor Visa (including Approved Destination Status (ADS))
- Academic Visitor Visa
- Adoption Visitor Visa
- Adoption Pre-citizenship Visitor Visa
- Antarctic Traveller 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
- Tour Escort Visitor Visa
- Visiting Media Visitor Visa
Benefits of applying online
To learn more about these visas or to start an online application, visit the visa pages linked above.
Applying through enhanced Immigration Online has many benefits, including:
- Less paperwork, allowing you to upload documents online and reducing the need to provide physical copies of documents, such as your passport.
- Real-time application updates, so you can track the status of your application and stay informed throughout the process.
- Clearer guidance and support, with easy-to-understand questions and built-in help that make it clearer what information you need to provide.
- Faster processing and fewer delays, because the application form adapts to your circumstances and helps you submit complete and accurate information the first time.
- Reduced risk of errors, through features such as automatic passport information capture using the Identity Document Reader.
- A simpler and more user-friendly experience, giving you better visibility of your application from start to finish.
If you need help completing your online application, check our applying online page or contact us.
Paper application forms for these visas will only be accepted where exceptional circumstances apply. If you believe you need to apply using a paper form, contact us to discuss your circumstances.
Visas not included in this change
The list of visas below are not included in this change, however we may remove paper applications at a later date. Until we advise otherwise, we will continue to accept applications from all current channels.
- 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
- Partner of a New Zealander Visitor Visa
- Child of a New Zealander Visitor Visa
- Trafficking Child Victim Visitor Visa
- Temporary Retirement Visitor Visa
- Refugee Claimant Visitor Visa