New Zealand

What changed

New Zealand's Immigration New Zealand (INZ) has announced final changes to the Skilled Migrant Category (SMC) Resident Visa and Work to Residence visas. These changes start on 24 August 2026. Most people applying for an SMC Resident Visa will now only need to meet one wage rule. This rule will be set at the wage they earned when they started their skilled work experience, or when their work visa was granted if they started work within five months. This gives them more certainty. People applying for Work to Residence visas (Care Workforce and Transport) will also use the wage rule from their work visa grant date. New evidence rules include needing a bachelor's degree to support some Level 8 or 9 qualifications. Points for bachelor's degrees and accredited qualifications will increase from 3 to 4. The rule that required 120 credits for overseas Trades and Technician qualifications has been removed. Self-employment will no longer count as relevant work experience for the new Trades and Technician and Skilled Work Experience pathways. The meaning of 'genuine employment' for all skilled residence visas has been made clearer. It now means job offers must be 'available and ongoing' and show a 'genuine need to be based in New Zealand'.

What changed

New Zealand's Skilled Migrant Category (SMC) Resident Visa lets skilled people live in the country forever. To get it, people must have a job or a job offer in New Zealand. There are three ways to qualify: * Points-based system: People need 6 skilled resident points. * Skilled Work Experience pathway: For people with a lot of work history. * Trades and Technician pathway: For people in specific hands-on jobs. All applicants must meet general rules. These include rules about health, character, and English language skills. They must also meet specific wage levels. This visa lets successful applicants live, work, and study in New Zealand forever. Their family members (partners and children up to 24 years old) can also come. They may apply for a Permanent Resident Visa later.

What changed

New Zealand and Thailand have launched a Strategic Partnership, including an agreement to strengthen cooperation on immigration, border security, customs, and cyber security, as well as combating scam centres, human trafficking, and drug trafficking. This cooperation aims to enhance the safety of New Zealanders and facilitate stronger connections between the two nations.

What changed

New Zealand changed its Active Investor Plus (AIP) Visa programme. These changes started on 13 August 2026. They make rules clearer for investors. Key changes include: * Borrowed funds must come from the same country as the assets they support. * You must prove that you legally got and transferred all money you plan to invest. * You must prove that gifted money was a real gift, with no conditions, and followed the laws of the country where it was given. * For managed funds, you now need a legally binding agreement. You no longer need a non-revocable agreement. * Children born after an investor visa was approved can be added to their parent's later Resident Visa applications. This applies under certain rules. * Discretionary Investment Management Services (DIMS) will not be approved investments for applications made on or after 4 December 2025. However, DIMS investments already made or approved in principle before 5 December 2025, are still allowed.

What changed

Immigration New Zealand (INZ) is changing how people apply for visitor visas. From 24 September 2026, people must use INZ's better online system, called Immigration Online, for most new visitor visa applications. This includes standard, business, academic, and many special visitor visas. The old online system will not let people start new applications for these visas after this date. By 8 October 2026, the specific application forms in the old system will close. Any draft applications that have not been sent will be deleted. If people still want to apply, they must start again in the better system.

What changed

New Zealand is changing how it chooses people for the Parent Resident Visa. This new method is a mix of two ways. 90% of Expressions of Interest (EOIs) will be chosen by date order. 10% will be chosen by a random draw. This aims to make the process fairer and more predictable for families. People also no longer need to apply again every two years or pay a fee for this.