Country Reference
New Zealand
Visa news and reference for New Zealand — Skilled Migrant Category points-based residency, Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV), Working Holiday Schemes, Active Investor Plus Visa, and Student / Family routes. Immigration New Zealand (INZ) operates the framework under the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE).
Last verified: May 4, 2026
Key facts
- Primary agency
- Immigration New Zealand (INZ) — operating arm of the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE)
- Pre-travel authorisation
- NZeTA required for visa-waiver nationals before air travel from 1 October 2019; cruise passengers from 1 November 2019
- AEWV
- Accredited Employer Work Visa replaced the Essential Skills work visa from 4 July 2022; primary employer-sponsored work-visa channel
- Skilled Migrant Category
- New skilled-work-experience and trades-and-technician pathways effective from August 2026 alongside revised existing pathways, announced 23 September 2025
Visa types covered
- NZeTA (New Zealand Electronic Travel Authority — pre-travel authorisation for visa-waiver nationals)
- Visitor visa (for non-visa-waiver nationalities)
- Working Holiday Visa (Working Holiday Schemes)
- Student visa
- Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV)
- Skilled Migrant Category Resident Visa (points-based)
- Active Investor Plus Visa
- Partner of a New Zealander Resident / Work / Visitor Visa
- Specific Purpose Work Visa
- Post Study Work Visa
- Parent Resident Visa
Recent news
INZ extends AEWV English requirement to Skill Level 3 from 1 June 2026
Immigration New Zealand extends the AEWV English requirement (IELTS 4.0) to Skill Level 3 occupations from 1 June 2026, affecting half of AEWV applications.
May 29, 2026
New Zealand opens AIP Visa Growth category to philanthropic gifts from June 2026
Immigration Minister Stanford announced May 25; investors may now direct up to NZ$1 million of the NZ$5 million Growth investment toward registered charities.
May 25, 2026
India and New Zealand sign FTA opening 5,000 work visas for Indian professionals
The Free Trade Agreement, signed at Bharat Mandapam on April 27, 2026, creates a 5,000-visa Temporary Employment Entry pathway and 1,000 annual Working Holiday visas.
May 5, 2026