Announcement
Important visitor visa application form changes
Published
11 August 2026
From 24 September 2026, new applications for most visitor visas will be available exclusively through Immigration New Zealand's (INZ) enhanced Immigration Online system. If you currently use our old system for visitor visa applications, there are some important things you need to know.
Many visitor visa products have been moved to enhanced Immigration Online since we first introduced the system in 2021. Over time, we have progressively moved more visas onto the enhanced system and with the transition of Group and Tour Escort visitor visa applications from 24 August 2026, most visitor visas will then be available through enhanced Immigration Online.
Enhanced Immigration Online is our preferred system for receiving visitor visa applications. We are taking this opportunity to close some visitor visa application forms in our old online system, allowing us to focus on delivering a more efficient and effective visa application process for both customers and staff.
Key dates
From 24 September 2026
You will no longer be able to create new applications for these visas in the old system. New applications for these visa types must be submitted through enhanced Immigration Online.
Existing draft applications can still be completed and submitted through the old system. You do not need to resubmit an application if you have already submitted it.
We will be actively contacting draft application holders.
From 8 October 2026
The specified list of application forms will close in the old system, and any remaining draft applications will be deleted.
You will need to start a new application in enhanced Immigration Online if you still wish to apply.
You will continue to have access to your submitted applications in the old system to upload documents and respond to requests from Immigration New Zealand until the application is decided and the decision is communicated to you.
Visitor visa application form closures
If you would like to know more about these visa types or start a new application in the enhanced Immigration Online system, see the following visa pages:
- Visitor Visa
- Business Visitor Visa
- Academic 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
- Trafficking Child Victim Visitor Visa (applications for this visa will be paper only)
- Visiting Media Visitor Visa
Available in enhanced Immigration Online from 24 August 2026:
- Approved Destination Status (ADS) Group Visitor Visa
- Group Visitor Visa — replacing MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions) and FAO (Foreign Affairs Official) in the enhanced system
- Tour Escort Visitor Visa
If you need help completing your online application, see our applying online guidance, or contact Immigration New Zealand.
More information
To access submitted or draft applications in our old system, visit Access Immigration Online.
Visitor visas not affected by this change
The following visas were transitioned to the enhanced system in June 2026, enhanced Immigration Online is our preferred system for receiving these applications. Applications submitted through the enhanced system will be prioritised for assessment, reflecting our focus on actively managing applications through the new system.
- 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
No changes are being made to the following list of visitor visa application forms, these will remain available in the old system until they are transitioned to enhanced Immigration Online:
- Partner of a New Zealander Visitor Visa
- Child of a New Zealander Visitor Visa.