Looking back at the 2025 immigration year – and what lies ahead for 2026

Immigration policy has always been a key driver of New Zealand’s economy and workforce. The 2025 year was particularly transformative, with sweeping changes across work, investor, student, and family visa categories, all against the backdrop of a sharp decline in net migration.

Key Policy Changes in 2025

• Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV): The removal of the median wage threshold marked a major shift. Employers must now pay AEWV holders at the appropriate market rate for their role. Another important development is the phased introduction of the New Occupation List (NOL), which will replace ANZSCO as the basis for job classification and assessment.
• Active Investor Plus Visa (AIP): April saw a complete overhaul of the AIP visa. Two new categories were introduced: Growth Category – $5 million investment for 3 years; Balanced Category – $10 million investment for 5 years. English language requirements were removed, and the time in NZ reduced. These changes have been highly successful, attracting over 450 applicants who have committed $2.7 billion in investment funds - with 80% of applicants opting for the Growth Category.
• Digital Nomad & Visitor Visas: Visitor visa and NZeTA holders can now legally work remotely for offshore employers while holidaying in New Zealand—a commonsense change that legitimises existing practices and supports the growing ‘digital nomad’ market.
• Student Visas: Most international tertiary students can now work up to 25 hours per week during term time (up from 20) and full-time during breaks.
• Parent Boost Visa: Introduced in September, this long-stay visitor visa allows parents of NZ citizens and residents to stay for up to five years, and is renewable for another five years. Key requirements include sponsorship, health insurance, and financial support. The high cost of health insurance will remain a challenge.
• Business Investor Visa (BIV): Launched in November, the BIV replaces the long-troubled Entrepreneur visa. It enables experienced business migrants to purchase well-established NZ businesses for at least $1 million (excluding any real estate). The BIV can provide succession options for aging business owners.
• Skilled Migrant Category (SMC): From August 2026, two new residence pathways will be introduced: Skilled Work Experience Pathway and Trades & Technician Pathway. Changes to SMC points settings, particularly for NZ qualifications, will attract more international students.
• Seasonal Worker Visas: Two new visas - the Global Workforce Seasonal Visa (up to 9 months annually for 3 years), and the Peak Season Visa (up to 7 months), now better align with industry needs, and have been well received by employers.

2025 also saw a sharp drop in net migration with a gain of just 11,900 people in the year to October, down from 35,400 the previous year, and well below the record 135,700 in 2023. Strong international student numbers, and the expected economic turnaround, suggest that net migration may have “bottomed” but is likely to remain at present levels.

What to expect in 2026?

• AEWV Maximum Continuous Stay (MCS) rules will start to bite. Migrant workers can hold an AEWV for 3 or 5 years (depending on their role) before they must change their visa or leave NZ for 12 months.
• SMC reforms mid-year will simplify residence pathways for skilled workers, tradespeople, and technicians.
• The AIP investor visa will need enhanced investment solutions if it is to retain its current level of demand.
• The General Election – for the main political parties, immigration is unlikely to be a significant election issue, as they appear to be largely aligned on all the main visa policies.

Immigration remains a defining issue for New Zealand’s economy and workforce, and while 2025 saw significant policy changes, we are expecting 2026 to be more about “fine-tuning” existing policies.

For businesses, staying informed and planning your visa requirements well-ahead of time, should remain your key focus – as always!