New Zealand Transitions Most Visitor Visa Applications to Enhanced Immigration Online System

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

Switzerland made visa rules stricter for people from Somalia and Guinea. This started on 12 August 2026. This change matches decisions the European Union (EU) made on 25 June 2026 (for Somalia) and 10 July 2026 (for Guinea). This stops several helpful processes in the visa application. Before, it was easier to provide documents, get faster decisions, avoid fees for people with diplomatic or service passports, and get multiple-entry visas. These benefits will no longer apply. The new rules affect all people from Somalia and Guinea who want a visa for Switzerland.