Visitor and transit visas: which applications now have to be submitted online?

Since 1 October 2026, Immigration New Zealand has required online applications for the visitor and transit visa categories listed below. Earlier paper submissions continue to be processed. The notice also lists visas excluded from this change and explains how exceptional circumstances are handled.

Official notice from Immigration New Zealand, originally published 2026-09-04. The full announcement is reproduced below in its original English. References to “we” and “us” refer to Immigration New Zealand.

Official announcement

From 1 October 2026, applications for selected visitor and transit visas must be submitted through Immigration New Zealand's (INZ) enhanced Immigration Online system.

If you currently use paper application forms for any of these visas, there are some important things you need to know.

Over recent years, we have progressively moved visa application and processing into enhanced Immigration Online. Today, most visitor visa and all transit visa applications can be submitted online through the enhanced system.

Moving applications online makes it easier for customers to apply and track their applications, while helping us focus on providing a more efficient and effective application process.

What is changing

From 1 October 2026, we will stop accepting paper applications for a selected group of visitor and transit visas. From this date, applications for the visa types listed below must be submitted through enhanced Immigration Online.

Paper applications submitted before 1 October 2026 will continue to be processed as normal. You do not need to do anything if you have already submitted a paper application.

Transit visa

Transit Visa

Visitor visas

Benefits of applying online

To learn more about these visas or to start an online application, visit the visa pages linked above.

Applying through enhanced Immigration Online has many benefits, including:

Less paperwork, allowing you to upload documents online and reducing the need to provide physical copies of documents, such as your passport.
Real-time application updates, so you can track the status of your application and stay informed throughout the process.
Clearer guidance and support, with easy-to-understand questions and built-in help that make it clearer what information you need to provide.
Faster processing and fewer delays, because the application form adapts to your circumstances and helps you submit complete and accurate information the first time.
Reduced risk of errors, through features such as automatic passport information capture using the Identity Document Reader.
A simpler and more user-friendly experience, giving you better visibility of your application from start to finish.

If you need help completing your online application, check our applying online page or contact us.

Apply online

Paper application forms for these visas will only be accepted where exceptional circumstances apply. If you believe you need to apply using a paper form, contact us to discuss your circumstances.

Visas not included in this change

The list of visas below are not included in this change, however we may remove paper applications at a later date. Until we advise otherwise, we will continue to accept applications from all current channels.

Source and reuse

Reproduced under the Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 New Zealand licence, in accordance with INZ’s reuse policy. Asian Insider added the headline, introduction and illustration and adjusted formatting and relative links. The official announcement wording is unchanged. This republication does not imply government endorsement.

Editorial introduction prepared and source checked on 12 October 2026. For subsequent changes, use the official links above.

Visitor and transit visas: which applications now have to be submitted online?

Official announcement