Immigration New Zealand has modernized the Active Investor Plus Visa, introducing simplified settings and broader investment options to attract foreign investors.

Immigration New Zealand has updated the Active Investor Plus Visa to introduce Growth and Balanced investment categories, aiming to attract investors who actively contribute to the country's economic development.

Effective 17 March 2025, dependent children of work, student, or military visa holders with severe cognitive or developmental disabilities requiring significant support will no longer be eligible for student or visitor visas, aligning health requirements with those for resident visas.

Effective 8 April 2025, Immigration New Zealand will grant work rights to individuals on interim visas who have applied for an Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV), facilitating quicker employment transitions.

Immigration New Zealand will now decline visa applications submitted or prepared by unlicensed or non-exempt individuals, reinforcing the importance of using authorized immigration advisers.

Immigration New Zealand has updated the Active Investor Plus Visa to introduce two new investment categories—Growth and Balanced—aimed at attracting investors by offering more flexible and appealing options.

New Zealand now permits visitors on a visitor visa or NZeTA to work remotely for overseas employers while in the country. This change, effective from 27 January 2025, allows tourists and those visiting family to maintain their foreign employment without breaching visa conditions.

Immigration New Zealand (INZ) is adjusting the allocation process for international student visa applications to better assist students currently in New Zealand who are awaiting the start of new studies.

Changes are being made to the Active Investor Plus Visa to help New Zealand encourage growth and make investing in New Zealand more attractive.

A number of changes will be made to the AEWV in March 2025. Changes will also be made to the median wage in February 2025.

A one-off increase in the Parent Category quota is being implemented, to enable applications that have been approved in principle to be issued this financial year.

Teachers already in New Zealand on the Work to Residence pathway will be able to apply for a Straight to Residence Visa.