Immigration New Zealand will require applicants to use its enhanced Immigration Online platform for most new visitor-visa applications beginning September 24, 2026.
From that date, applicants will no longer be able to begin applications for the affected visa categories through the older online system. The change covers several categories, including general, business, academic, medical-treatment, parent and grandparent, guardian, sports-event and visiting-media visitor visas.
Group and Tour Escort visitor-visa applications are scheduled to move to the enhanced system earlier, on August 24.
Applications already submitted through the old platform will remain valid and do not need to be filed again. Existing drafts may still be completed temporarily, but the affected forms will close on October 8. Any unfinished draft remaining in the old system at that point will be deleted, requiring the applicant to start again on the enhanced platform.
The transition is an administrative change intended to streamline processing. It does not introduce new eligibility conditions specifically for Indian travellers. Applicants should nevertheless check the correct portal and applicable deadlines before submitting their documents.
