September 10, 2026
From October 1, 2026, New Zealand will stop accepting paper forms for 24 Visitor Visa categories and the Transit Visa. All applications for these visas must go through the Enhanced Immigration Online system instead.
Applications submitted before the deadline will still be processed normally. The change does not affect travellers from visa-waiver countries like the US, UK, Canada and Australia who use the NZeTA.
Immigration New Zealand announced the shift to fully digital processing for most Visitor Visa types. From October 1, 2026, paper application forms will no longer be accepted for 24 Visitor Visa categories and the Transit Visa. All applicants must use the Enhanced Immigration Online system instead.
Affected visas include:
The shift is already underway. From August 24, 2026, new Group and Tour Escort Visitor Visa applications must go online. On September 24, 2026, most other Visitor Visa categories can only start applications on the new Enhanced Immigration Online system. The old system's draft forms will close on October 8, 2026.
Paper applications submitted before October 1, 2026 will continue to be processed normally through existing channels. You do not need to resubmit online. After October 1, paper applications will not be accepted except in exceptional circumstances, which Immigration New Zealand will assess on a case-by-case basis.
Some Visitor Visa categories are not yet affected, including visas for partners and children of military personnel, students, workers, and certain family-related visas. Immigration New Zealand indicates these may transition to online-only processing later.
Travellers from the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Australia and many other countries do not need a Visitor Visa and remain unaffected. They continue to use the NZeTA (New Zealand Electronic Travel Authority) for short stays.
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