If you’re planning to apply for a New Zealand visa in 2025, right here’s a should-learn replace: Immigration New Zealand (INZ) has formally clarified which visa sorts have to be utilized for on-line and which of them require a paper-based mostly submission.
This June 2025 clarification is vital for all visa seekers—whether or not you’re making use of for work, residence, funding, and even humanitarian visas. Submitting your application utilizing the mistaken methodology might result in processing delays or outright rejection. So, let’s stroll you thru the most recent particulars that will help you apply the proper means.
New Zealand Visa Applications That Must Be Submitted Online
INZ now mandates that almost all visa sorts have to be utilized for by their on-line portal, which lets you add paperwork, passport-fashion pictures, and pay application charges digitally. This on-line-solely rule applies to a variety of in style visa sorts.
Here’s the listing of visa classes that have to be submitted on-line:
- Active Investor Plus Residence Visa
- Accredited Employer Work Visa
- Second or Subsequent Resident Visa
- Work to Residence Visa
- Permanent Resident Visa (with some exceptions, see under)
- Care Workforce Work to Residence Visa
- Transport Work to Residence Visa
- Skilled Migrant Category Resident Visa
- Straight to Residence Resident Visa
- Working Holiday Visa (for brand new candidates solely; renewals differ)
- Visitor Visa (for Pacific Islands Forum nations, excluding Australia).
Other visa-associated functions which can be additionally required to be accomplished on-line embody:
This on-line submission rule relies on New Zealand’s Immigration (Visa, Entry Permission, and Related Matters) Regulations 2010 – Regulation 23AA(2). It’s vital to stay to the required format or your application might not even be processed.
Visa Applications That Must Be Made on Paper for New Zealand
While the web system covers nearly all of visa sorts, there are particular classes the place a paper application is the one accepted methodology—principally for humanitarian, refugee, or particular residence visas.
Permanent Resident Visa – Paper-Only Exceptions: If you’re making use of underneath the Global Impact Visa class, your application have to be submitted utilizing paper kinds.
Refugee & Humanitarian Categories – Only Paper Allowed:
You should submit your application on paper when you’re being referred by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) or by an permitted sponsor. These embody the next visa classes:
- UNHCR Legal and Physical Protection Needs
- Refugee Emergency
- CORS Refugee and Protection
- Refugee Quota Family Reunification
- UNHCR Medical/Disabled
- UNHCR Family Reunification
- UNHCR Women at Risk.
These instances typically contain particular documentation and are processed by completely different channels for humanitarian safety.
New Policy: https://www.immigration.govt.nz/process-to-apply/applying-for-a-visa/visas-you-must-apply-for-online-or-on-paper/.
New Zealand Visa Applications (Online VS On-paper) Submissions Clarification Issued in June 2025 FULLY FUNDED SCHOLARSHIPS SCHOLARSHIPS SCHOLARSHIPS FOR INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS UNDERGRADUATE SCHOLARSHIPS
