Archive · 19 Sep 2025
NZ Alters International Adoption Policies, Affecting Visas
New Zealand is changing its rules about adopting children from other countries.
If you're a New Zealander who adopted a child from another country, it will be harder to get a visa or citizenship for them.
This is because New Zealand won't recognize adoptions from many countries for immigration purposes anymore, unless the country is on a special list.
However, if you already applied for a visa for your adopted child, it will still be processed.
This is to protect children and review current laws.
You can still bring your adopted child to visit New Zealand with a visitor visa as long as the parents are not citizens or residents.
New Zealand will no longer recognize international adoptions for immigration unless from exempt countries.
The policy change affects citizens and residents who have adopted children internationally.
Children from non-exempt countries will face hurdles in obtaining visas or citizenship.
Existing visa applications for adopted children will continue to be processed.
Adoptions from non-Hague Convention countries will not be eligible for residency or visitor visa applications.
- Who
- New Zealand citizens and residents, and adoptive parents
- What
- Changes to international adoption policy regarding immigration
- When
- Effective September 18, 2025
- Where
- New Zealand
- Why
- To mitigate risk of harm to children and review related legislation
- Policy Change Date
- Effective September 18, 2025
- Affected Groups
- NZ citizens/residents who adopted children internationally
- Impact
- Adoptions from non-exempt countries are no longer recognized for immigration purposes
- Exemptions
- Adoptions from exempt countries
- Existing Applications
- Will continue to be processed