Archive · 14 Aug 2026
New Zealand moves most visitor visa applications online starting September
New Zealand is changing how people ask for a special paper called a visitor visa.
Soon, most of these requests will have to be made on a new computer system.
Starting on September 24, 2026, new requests can only be made on the new system.
If someone already started a draft on the old system before that day, they can still finish it there.
But on October 8, 2026, the old system will close those forms for good.
Any unfinished drafts left after that will be deleted, so people must start over on the new system.
Requests that were already sent in are safe and can still be checked in the old system.
New Zealand says the change will make asking for a visitor visa faster and easier.
Some special visa applications for partners and children of New Zealanders will stay on the old system for now.
From September 24, 2026, new applications for most visitor visa categories must be submitted through the enhanced Immigration Online system.
The old system will stop accepting new visitor visa applications, but draft applications created before the deadline can still be completed and submitted.
From October 8, 2026, visitor visa forms will be permanently closed in the old system and unfinished drafts will be deleted.
Applications already submitted will not be affected and can still be accessed in the old system until a decision is made.
The Group Visitor Visa and Tour Escort Visitor Visa become available on the upgraded platform from August 24, 2026.
- Who
- Immigration New Zealand (INZ) and people applying for visitor visas to New Zealand.
- What
- Most visitor visa applications will move exclusively to the enhanced Immigration Online system, with the old system closing to new applications.
- When
- From September 24, 2026 new applications must be online-only, with old-system forms closing permanently on October 8, 2026 and Group and Tour Escort visitor visas moving earlier on August 24, 2026.
- Where
- New Zealand.
- Why
- INZ wants a more efficient digital process and to focus resources on applications handled through the upgraded platform.
- New applications go online-only
- September 24, 2026
- Old system forms permanently close
- October 8, 2026
- Group Visitor Visa and Tour Escort Visitor Visa move early
- August 24, 2026
- Existing drafts
- Can still be completed and submitted through the old system
- Unfinished drafts after October 8, 2026
- Deleted; applicants must start fresh on the enhanced platform
- Submitted applications
- Unaffected; still managed in old system until decision
- Visas affected
- Over 20 categories, including Business Visitor, Academic Visitor, Parent and Grandparent, Guardian, Medical Treatment, Sports Events, Visiting Media and Private Yacht or Plane
- Visas not moving yet
- Partner of a New Zealander and Child of a New Zealander Visitor Visas
