New Age and Evidence Requirements for New Zealand Partnership-Based Visas
What changed
Effective from 25 September 2026, Immigration New Zealand has introduced new age and evidence requirements for specific partnership-based visa categories. Both the applicant and the supporting partner must now be at least 18 years of age at the time of application, and only partnership evidence accumulated from when both parties were aged 18 or over will be considered valid. This change primarily impacts applicants for partnership-based residence visas, who must now demonstrate a 12-month cohabitation period starting after both partners turned 18.
The detail
Related changes
New ZealandVisitor VisasPublishedEffective 24 Sept 2026 New Zealand Transitions Most Visitor Visa Applications to Enhanced Immigration Online System
What changed
Immigration New Zealand (INZ) is making it compulsory to use its improved Immigration Online system for most new visitor visa applications. This change takes effect on 24 September 2026. From this date, you will not be able to start new applications in the old system. All draft applications that have not been submitted in the old system will be deleted by 8 October 2026. This aims to make the application process smoother across different types of visitor visas in New Zealand.
Published 11 Aug 2026Effective 24 Sept 2026New Zealand Government — Beehive releases
New ZealandBorder SecurityProposalIssued 23 Sept 2026 New Zealand Introduces Border Security Bill to Enhance Customs Powers Against Organised Crime
What changed
The New Zealand Government introduced the Customs and Excise (Border Security) Amendment Bill to Parliament. This legislative instrument seeks to bolster Customs' capabilities against transnational serious and organised crime and evolving border threats. It proposes strengthened security measures, increased penalties, and modernised operational tools, taking effect upon its progression and enactment by Parliament.
Published 23 Sept 2026New Zealand Government — Beehive releases
AustraliaFamily ReunificationEffectiveEffective 22 Sept 2026 Australia Updates Arrangements for Child Visa Applications
What changed
Australia's Department of Home Affairs has updated the Migration (Arrangements for Child Visa Applications) Instrument 2026. This amendment, effective from 22 September 2026, revises the instrument's official citation and introduces a new provision explicitly addressing the application of changes made by Legislative Instrument LIN 26/100. The primary instrument, authorised by the Migration Regulations 1994, continues to govern the form, manner, and place for making child visa applications.
Published 31 Aug 2026Effective 22 Sept 2026Federal Register of Legislation — Migration instruments
New ZealandBorder SecurityPublishedEffective 18 Sept 2026 New Zealand Releases National Action Plan to Combat Trafficking in Persons
What changed
New Zealand's Immigration New Zealand has announced its new Trafficking in Persons National Action Plan. This Plan sets out the country's strategy for dealing with human trafficking for the next five years. The Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment developed this plan, which focuses on stopping trafficking, protecting victims, and making the national response stronger through coordinated work involving government, businesses, and community organisations. It came into effect on 18 September 2026.
Published 18 Sept 2026Effective 18 Sept 2026Immigration New Zealand — News
1 / 4