Immigration Online Changes: Passport Scans, Family Visa Applications and Sponsored Visitors

Immigration New Zealand is changing how some applications are made in its enhanced Immigration Online system. The changes affect visitor visas, the Accredited Employer Work Visa and temporary visas for family of New Zealand citizens and residents. None of them change who is eligible, but they do change how you fill in the form.

Passport scans

When you apply for a visitor visa or an AEWV, you will be asked to upload a digital scan of your passport. Key details are then filled in automatically, replacing manual entry. This already happens for student and Permanent Resident Visa applications. Always check the details. If anything is wrong, you can edit it. Errors in passport details can disrupt travel, so this step matters. Eligibility and document requirements are not changing.

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Family of New Zealanders

Partners and other family of New Zealand citizens and residents applying for temporary entry visas can apply in enhanced Immigration Online from 16 November 2026, and it becomes the preferred system. Applications made there will be assessed first. If you already submitted an application on the old form on or before 15 November 2026, it will still be processed and you do not need to do anything. Drafts in the old system can still be completed, or you can start again in the new system. See the Partner of a New Zealander Work Visa.

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Sponsored visitor visas

The visitor visa form asks whether you can financially support yourself during your stay, including onward travel. Answer yes if you will not rely on a sponsor. Answer no if you will rely on a sponsor. The form will then ask for the sponsorship details, and your sponsor will receive an email asking them to log in and complete their part. Getting this right avoids delays and extra requests for information. See visitor visas.

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What you should do now

• Avoid 15 November: the system is down that day.
• Have a clear passport scan ready: for visitor and AEWV applications.
• Start family visa applications in the new system: to be assessed first.
• Brief your sponsor: they need to respond to the email they receive.