Planned upgrades for 2026
Find out about upgrades to our online visa application systems in 2026.
Planned upgrade date and time
From 05:00 to 07:00, Thursday 8 October 2026 (NZDT)
During this time, you cannot start or continue some visa applications and application forms:
- Group Visitor visas
- Work visas (excluding AEWV)
- Partner or child of a New Zealander visas
- Straight to Residence Visa
- Work to Residence Visa
- Transport Work to Residence Visa
- Care Workforce Work to Residence Visa
- Trafficking Child Victim Student Visa
- Dependent Child Student Visa
- Vocational Trainee Student Visa
Following this change, applications for the following visa categories will no longer be lodged through our old system (IGMS):
- General Visitor Visa
- Business Visitor Visa
- Special Category Visa
- Group Visitor Visa
- Approved Destination Status (ADS) Group Visitor Visa
- Approved Meeting, Incentive, Conference or Exhibition (MICE) Group Visitor Visa
- Government representative of Foreign Affairs Official (FAO) Group Visitor Visa