Immigration New Zealand has changed its policy to require police certificates to be submitted at the time of application for student and certain other temporary visas, effective immediately. Applications missing a required police certificate may be declined without further request for the document.
From midnight July 12, 2026 (NZST), Immigration New Zealand will only accept in-person Occupational English Test (OET) results for visa applications. All parts of the OET must be completed at a supervised testing facility; remote or online test formats will no longer be accepted.
Immigration New Zealand has confirmed final changes to the Skilled Migrant Category (SMC) taking effect August 24, 2026, including clarifications on how wage thresholds are applied. Changes to wage rate rules for work-to-residence visas have also been announced.
From June 1, 2026, Immigration New Zealand has temporarily reduced visitor visa fees for Pacific nationals from NZD 216 to NZD 161 (including the NZD 41 immigration levy). The reduction is in effect for 12 months.
From June 1, 2026, Immigration New Zealand moved family of temporary visa holder applications to its enhanced Immigration Online platform. The system has been rolling out in phases since 2021, with international student visas among the application types already transitioned.
From June 1, 2026, Immigration New Zealand will require Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV) applicants in ANZSCO and National Occupation List skill level 3 occupations to meet minimum English language requirements. Previously, these requirements applied only to skill level 4 and 5 occupations.
From June 1, 2026, new applicants in the Growth category of New Zealand's Active Investor Plus Visa may include philanthropy as part of their investment, capped at 20% of the total. The Growth category minimum investment requirement remains NZD 5 million.
New Zealand has updated its NZ$5 million investor visa to allow Growth category applicants to direct up to 20% of their investment toward charities. This option was previously available only to Balanced tier applicants.
From July 20, 2026, Group visitor visa and Tour Escort visitor visa (including Approved Destination Status) applications must be submitted through Immigration New Zealand's Immigration Online system. ADS covers Chinese tourists traveling to New Zealand in tour groups.
New Zealand offers various visa pathways for skilled workers, investors, retirees, and family migrants, each with specific entry and residency requirements. Some foreign nationals may qualify for visa-free or simplified entry depending on their nationality.
Immigration New Zealand has announced the ballot draw for the Pacific Access Category (PAC) Resident Visa and Samoan Quota (SQ) Resident Visa will take place on May 20, 2026, with results published by May 29, 2026.
New Zealand's tax system covers income, consumption, and property taxes for individual residents, self-employed persons, and registered businesses. The guide outlines applicable income tax rates and how both employees and companies are taxed.
New Zealand passports (Uruwhenua o Aotearoa) are issued by the Department of Internal Affairs through Te Mata Uruwhenua to citizens for international travel. The document allows holders to travel abroad and return without restriction.
Storing precious metals through banks is argued to expose holders to FBAR reporting requirements, KYC issues, bail-in risks, and withdrawal freezes. Private vaults, free ports, and airport economic zones in Switzerland, Singapore, Hong Kong, and New Zealand are presented as alternatives offering greater geographical and geopolitical diversification.
New Zealand passport holders can access 183 destinations without a prior visa, including via visa-free entry, visa on arrival, or eVisa, as of April 2026. New Zealand ranks 35th globally for visa-free access according to the Global Citizen Solutions Passport Index.