This article is provided as a public service by Immigration Trust. We are not Immigration New Zealand (INZ). The information below is based on announcements made by INZ and is intended for general information purposes only.

Immigration New Zealand has confirmed the final details of significant changes to the Skilled Migrant Category (SMC) Resident Visa, which will take effect on 24 August 2026. The changes are designed to simplify residence pathways for skilled migrants, provide greater certainty around wage requirements, and strengthen the integrity of skilled residence applications.

Key Changes at a Glance
Simplified Wage Threshold Rules
One of the most important changes is that most applicants will only need to meet a single SMC wage threshold. Instead of meeting one wage threshold while gaining skilled work experience and another higher threshold when applying for residence, applicants will generally be assessed against the wage threshold that applied when they started accumulating their skilled work experience.

A new five-month grace period will also apply if wage thresholds increase before a migrant begins work after their visa is granted.

Work to Residence Visa Changes
The updated wage settings will also apply to:

• Work to Residence Visa
• Care Workforce Work to Residence Visa
• Transport Work to Residence Visa

Applicants who begin work within five months of visa approval can continue using the wage rate that applied when their visa was granted, even if wage requirements increase later. However, they must still complete the required 24 months of eligible work experience.

Qualification Requirements Clarified
Applicants claiming points for most Level 8 and Level 9 qualifications will now need to provide evidence of both their postgraduate qualification and a supporting bachelor's degree or equivalent undergraduate qualification.

Changes have also been made to the points system, with bachelor's degrees and Washington/Sydney Accord qualifications increasing from 3 to 4 points.

Trades and Technician Pathway Updates
Under the new Trades and Technician pathway, applicants must hold a relevant Level 4 or higher qualification recognised on the New Zealand Qualifications and Credentials Framework (NZQCF).

For New Zealand qualifications, a minimum of 120 credits is required. These credits can be accumulated across multiple qualifications where lower-level qualifications are prerequisites for higher-level qualifications.

The 120-credit requirement will not apply to overseas qualifications that have been assessed by the New Zealand Qualifications Authority (NZQA) through an International Qualification Assessment (IQA).

Self-Employment Will Not Count
Applicants under the Trades and Technician and Skilled Work Experience pathways will not be able to use self-employment experience to satisfy directly relevant work experience requirements. INZ has stated that independently verifying the nature and skill level of self-employed work can be difficult, creating integrity concerns.

Stronger Genuine Employment Requirements
INZ has also updated its definition of genuine employment across skilled residence categories. Employment offers must be:

• Available and ongoing
• Based on a genuine need for the role to be performed in New Zealand

These changes align more closely with the Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV) framework and provide INZ with stronger grounds to decline applications involving non-genuine employment arrangements.

What This Means for Migrants
The changes are intended to make residence pathways more predictable and easier to navigate while ensuring skilled residence visas continue to support genuine labour market needs. Migrants already planning their residence pathway should review how the new wage, qualification, and employment requirements may affect their eligibility before the changes take effect on 24 August 2026.

For immigration guidance, click the button below.

Immigration New Zealand (INZ) has confirmed that from 1 June 2026, several family of temporary visa holder applications will move to its enhanced Immigration Online system. This is part of INZ’s wider “Our Future Services” programme aimed at modernising the visa application process and improving the overall customer experience.

If you are planning to apply for a visa as the partner or child of a temporary visa holder in New Zealand, these changes may affect how and where you submit your application.

What Is Changing on 1 June 2026?
From 1 June 2026, new applications for the following visa categories will automatically be directed through the enhanced Immigration Online platform:

Student Visas

• Dependent Child Student Visa

Work Visas

• Partner of a Worker Work Visa
• Partner of Military Work Visa
• Partner of a Student Work Visa
• Partner of an NZ Scholarship Student Work Visa

Visitor Visas

• Partner of a Worker Visitor Visa
• Child of a Worker Visitor Visa
• Partner of a Student Visitor Visa
• Child of a Student Visitor Visa
• Partner of Military Visitor Visa
• Child of Military Visitor Visa

According to INZ, applications already submitted in the old system will continue to be processed as normal.

What Happens if You Already Started an Application?
If you currently have a draft application saved in the old Immigration Online system, you will generally have 2 options:

• Complete and submit the existing draft in the old system, or
• Start a brand-new application in the enhanced Immigration Online platform.

INZ also confirmed that the old application form will eventually close once all related visa categories have been transitioned into the enhanced system. Applicants with draft applications are expected to be contacted before closure occurs.

Why Is INZ Making These Changes?
INZ states that the goal of the enhanced Immigration Online system is to create a simpler, faster, and more user-friendly visa application experience.
Some of the intended improvements include:

• Clearer guidance throughout the application process
• Reduced processing delays caused by missing information
• Better communication regarding application status
• Improved self-service functionality
• Dynamic forms tailored to the applicant’s circumstances

One major improvement will be the introduction of Identity Document Reader (IDR) technology. This allows passport information to be scanned directly into the application form, reducing manual entry mistakes and minimising delays caused by simple errors.

Dynamic Application Forms and Additional Guidance
INZ acknowledged that many applicants are unsure which visa category is the correct one for their circumstances. To address this, the enhanced system will include:

• Improved visa definitions
• Better “Before You Start” guidance
• More detailed instructions during the application process
• Application questions tailored to the individual applicant

The new dynamic forms are designed to request only the information relevant to each applicant’s situation. INZ hopes this will reduce incomplete applications and minimise requests for further information, which often delay processing.

Will Paper Applications Still Be Accepted?
INZ stated that it may reconsider paper-based applications for these visa categories as part of the transition process. However, no final decision has been announced yet. Further updates are expected closer to the transition date.

Our Thoughts on the Changes
From our experience assisting with partnership-based and family-related visa applications, clearer guidance and smarter online forms could help reduce common mistakes that often lead to delays or requests for additional information. However, applicants should still take care to ensure:

• The correct visa category is selected
• Supporting evidence is properly organised
• Relationship evidence is comprehensive where applicable
• Information provided is consistent across all documents and forms

Even with an improved online system, the quality of the application itself remains critical.

Need Help With a Family Visa Application?
At Immigration Trust, we regularly assist with:

• Partner visas
• Dependent child visas
• Visitor visas
• Student visas
• Complex family-based immigration matters

You may book a consultation here:

• NZ-based appointments
• Overseas appointments

Disclaimer: Immigration Trust is not Immigration New Zealand. This article is provided for general public information purposes only and should not be treated as immigration advice for your specific situation.

From 20 April 2026, changes to open work visa conditions in New Zealand have come into effect. These updates clarify what type of work visa holders can do and aim to better align visa conditions with immigration rules. If you currently hold, or are planning to apply for, an open work visa, it is important to understand how these changes may affect you.

What Has Changed?
Open work visas will now include one of two employment conditions:
1. Full Work Rights (Including Self-Employment)
Some visa holders will be allowed to:

• Work for any employer
• Be self-employed
• Operate as a sole trader
• Own or run a business

This provides greater flexibility for those whose visa category supports independent or business-related work.

2. Work for an Employer Only
Other visa holders will be restricted to:

• Working for any employer
• Under an employment agreement or contract for services

This means:

• No self-employment
• No running or owning a business

This condition ensures that the visa aligns with categories intended for employment rather than business activity.

Why These Changes Were Introduced
The updated conditions aim to:

• Align visa conditions with the intent of each visa category
• Reflect the legal definitions of employer and employee under immigration rules
• Reduce confusion and prevent accidental breaches of visa conditions

By clearly defining what type of work is allowed, visa holders can better understand their obligations and avoid compliance issues.

Important Restrictions Still Apply
Regardless of which condition applies, open work visa holders must not:

• Employ other people (directly or through a business they operate)
• Provide sexual services
• Operate or invest in a business related to prostitution

These restrictions remain strictly enforced under immigration policy.

What This Means for Current Visa Holders
If you already hold an open work visa:

• Your visa conditions may now clearly state which type of work you are allowed to do
• It is important to check your visa details carefully
• Engaging in work outside your conditions could lead to compliance issues

Final Thoughts
These changes bring more clarity but also introduce stricter boundaries depending on your visa type. Understanding your specific conditions is essential to avoid unintentional breaches.

Disclaimer: This article is for general information only. We are not Immigration New Zealand, but we share updates like this as part of our public service.

Need Help Understanding Your Visa Conditions?
If you are unsure how these changes affect your situation or need help with your visa, you can book a consultation with our team by clicking on the below button.