Policy updates
Policy updates log
Changes to New Zealand immigration rules that affect the tools and guides on this site, newest first. Each entry links to its official source.
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- In effect
Parent Category EOI overhaul: single pool, ~90% queue / ~10% ballot, 2-year auto-expiry replaced by reconfirmation
Amendment Circular 2026-25 (effective 5 October 2026) restructures Parent Category EOI selection: EOIs are now selected from a single pool, approximately 90% in submission-date order and 10% by ballot (annual cap of 2,500 unchanged), with 4 selections a year (first under the new model: 10 November 2026). EOIs no longer expire automatically after 2 years; holders must confirm interest every 2 years within 6 months of each anniversary, or the EOI lapses. Transitional provisions let eligible people with previously expired EOIs regain their original queue position.
Source: INZ — Amendment Circular 2026-25; 2026 changes to the Parent Resident Visa EOI selection process
- In effect
Visa processing order instructions updated: Parent Resident cohort rule removed
Amendment Circular 2026-28 (effective 5 October 2026) removes the Parent Resident Visa-specific processing provisions from the A16.1 general instructions and revokes the 24 August 2026 version. All other processing priorities are unchanged: Green List Tier 1 and SMC six-point-without-work-experience residence applications, partnership/dependent child applications, and Green List Job Check/AEWV applications remain prioritised. The removal follows Amendment Circular 2026-25, which merged the Parent Category EOI pools on the same date.
Source: INZ — Amendment Circular 2026-28
- In effect
Partnership-based visas: both partners must be 18+, evidence recognised only from age 18
Amendment Circular 2026-27 (effective 25 September 2026) requires that under dedicated partnership-based visa categories (Partner of a New Zealander visitor/work/resident, Culturally Arranged Marriage, Partner of a Worker including AEWV, Partner of a Student), applicants and supporting partners must be at least 18 when the application is made — the former 16–17 parental-consent exception no longer applies — and partnership evidence is only recognised from when both partners were 18 or older.
Source: INZ — Amendment Circular 2026-27
- In effect
SMC overhaul in effect: 2 new pathways, higher qualification points, faster experience points
The Skilled Work Experience and Trades & Technician pathways opened alongside the Points-based pathway. Overseas bachelor's degrees now earn 4 points (was 3), NZ bachelor's/honours/PGDip/PGCert earn 5, and a NZ master's with 30 weeks of full-time NZ study plus a bachelor's earns 6. NZ skilled work experience now scores 3 points for 2 years (was 3 years), 2 points for 1.5 years. CPA Australia members who can work as Qualified Statutory Accountants can claim 6 points via registration, and English test validity extends to 5 years for registered applicants.
- In effect
Work to Residence wage calculation rules changed
From 24 August 2026, work-to-residence applicants (Work to Residence, Care Workforce WTR, Transport WTR) can count NZ work experience at the wage rate that applied to their occupation when their work visa was granted, provided they started earning at least that rate within 5 months of the grant. The 24-months-in-30-months experience requirement is unchanged. Most SMC applicants also now only meet the wage threshold in effect when they started accruing skilled work experience.
Source: INZ — Final details about changes to the SMC Resident Visa and work to residence visas
- In effect
Immigration median wage rises to $35.00/hour; 47 new occupations recognised
The immigration median wage increased from $33.56 to $35.00/hour, moving every indexed threshold (SMC job requirements, income points, Green List pay rates). 47 occupations were added to the National Occupation List for AEWV purposes.
Source: INZ — New occupations recognised and annual median wage increase
- In effect
Pearson publishes updated PTE Academic ↔ IELTS concordance
Pearson's July 2025 concordance study supersedes the 2020 table for the enhanced PTE Academic (IELTS 6.5 now concords with PTE 55–62, previously 58–64). INZ still sets its own minimum scores — the SMC line remains PTE 58 / IELTS 6.5.
Source: Pearson — PTE Academic / IELTS concordance study summary (July 2025)