Common topic
Immigration New Zealand’s response to the situation in Iran
Published
05 March 2026
Immigration New Zealand (INZ) understands this is a distressing and uncertain time for many people affected by the situation in Iran and the wider Middle East.
Last update: 18 March 2026
Immigration New Zealand’s response
We understand this is a distressing and uncertain time for many people affected by the situation in Iran and the wider Middle East. We have great sympathy for those who are separated from their loved ones or whose travel plans have been disrupted.
INZ services continue to operate, and New Zealand’s border remains open and functioning as normal.
We are working closely with other government agencies, including the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (MFAT), to ensure we have a shared, all of government view of developments and are able to respond appropriately if circumstances change.
Advice for temporary visa holders in New Zealand
We understand that flight cancellations, delays, and airspace disruptions in the region may affect people who already have a New Zealand visa. For more information about your options, check our news centre.
Middle East: advice for temporary visa holders in New Zealand affected by travel disruptions
Advice for people not in New Zealand
If you have a visa but may not be able to travel before your ‘entry before’ date
Some visas issued to people outside of New Zealand include an ‘entry before’ date (the date you must arrive in New Zealand by). If the current Middle East conflict is affecting your ability to travel, check your visa conditions and contact us as soon as possible so we can advise you on the options available to you.
Advice for people in New Zealand and overseas applying for new visas
Panel physicians (medical examinations)
Due to the current situation, most INZ panel physicians are currently closed in Iran, and some panel physician services are closed in Iraq and Lebanon. If you are unable to complete your medical examination as a result, contact us for advice before taking further steps.
For all new visa applications, Iranian nationals can continue to apply for all the same visa categories that were available before the current situation.
We recognise that, in these circumstances, it may not be possible for people to access all usual documentation. Where this occurs, applicants should submit what information they are reasonably able to access. Applications will be assessed on a case by case basis, taking individual circumstances into account.
We are taking a pragmatic and empathetic approach to visa applications where people are affected by circumstances beyond their control.
Visa applications from Iranian nationals – current data
As at 17 March 2026, there are 1,105 Iranian national temporary visa holders currently in New Zealand, with an additional 679 offshore that have temporary visas approved.
Urgent applications and escalation
We have an escalation process in place for urgent visa applications.
If you believe you have urgent or exceptional circumstances, you should follow our escalation process.
Escalation for urgent applications
We will consider each request on its individual merits within existing immigration settings.
Are special visa arrangements being considered?
Any decision to introduce a special visa category or make changes to immigration settings in response to the situation in Iran would be a matter for the Government.
At this stage, we are continuing to process applications under existing immigration policy settings.
Refugee support
The primary way New Zealand provides support for international refugee situations is through the Refugee Quota Programme, with an annual quota of 1500 people.
Refugees accepted through the Refugee Quota Programme are referred to us by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR).
More information
We encourage people affected by travel disruption to use our online services where possible:
Interim visas so you can stay here lawfully
Check or change your visa conditions
We will continue to monitor the situation closely and provide updates if advice or settings change.