Immigration New Zealand (INZ) has recently announced several policy and application system changes, including updates to the Active Investor Plus Visa and a further upgrade of the Visitor Visa application system. Here are the key points:
01. AIP investment policy clarified
The latest round of AIP changes aims to give investors a clearer picture of the requirements for investment funds, the source of funds and the evidence needed, making the application process more transparent and predictable.
| Funds or category | Details |
|---|---|
| Borrowed funds | Must come from the same country or jurisdiction as the assets used to support the application. |
| Investment funds | Must be shown to have been lawfully earned or acquired and transferred through appropriate banking channels. |
| Gifted Funds | Must be an unconditional gift and comply with the laws of the country or region where the gift was made. |
| Managed Funds | The agreement requirement has changed to a legally binding agreement. |
| Retirement investment categories | Funds transfer requirements for the Parent Retirement Resident Visa and the Temporary Retirement Visitor Visa are more closely aligned. |
1. Clearer rules on the source of borrowed funds
If the investment funds include borrowed money, the loan must come from the same country or jurisdiction as the assets used to support the application. When planning how their funds are structured, investors need to pay close attention to where the loan comes from and where the related assets are held.
2. Investment funds must have a lawful source
Applicants need to provide evidence that the funds nominated for investment:
- were lawfully earned or acquired; and
- have been transferred through appropriate banking channels.
As a result, source-of-funds evidence, bank statements and transfer records are now even more important when preparing an AIP application.
3. Clearer requirements for Gifted Funds
If the investment funds were gifted, the investor needs to show that:
- the gift is unconditional; and
- the gift complies with the laws of the country or region where it was made.
Applicants receiving gifted funds from parents, a spouse or other relatives should prepare full evidence of the source of the funds and the gifting relationship in advance.
4. Change to the Managed Funds agreement requirement
Investors in Managed Funds were previously required to provide a non-revocable agreement. Under the change, only a legally binding agreement is needed – the requirement for the agreement to be non-revocable has been removed.
5. Aligned funds transfer requirements for retirement categories
The changes also bring the funds transfer requirements of different investment categories into line, adjusting the requirements for the Parent Retirement Resident Visa and the Temporary Retirement Visitor Visa so they are handled more consistently.
02. Visas for children born after the investor's visa is approved
The new policy also adds an important provision: if an investor has a child after their investor visa is approved, the child may, if they meet the relevant conditions, be included as a secondary applicant in the parent's later:
- Permanent Resident Visa application;
- Variation of Travel Conditions application; or
- Second or Subsequent Resident Visa application.
Conditions the child must meet
- Is a dependent child of an AIP Investor 1 or Investor 2 Resident Visa holder;
- Holds a Dependent Child Resident Visa based on their relationship with the parent; and
- Has already entered New Zealand on that visa.
03. Visitor Visa application system changes
Key dates
24 August 2026: Applications for the Approved Destination Status (ADS) Group Visitor Visa, Group Visitor Visa and Tour Escort Visitor Visa move to the new system.
24 September 2026: Most new Visitor Visa applications must be submitted through the new system; the old system will no longer allow new applications for these visas to be created.
8 October 2026: The relevant Visitor Visa application forms close in the old system; any draft applications not yet submitted will be deleted.
From 24 September 2026, applications already submitted do not need to be resubmitted; existing draft applications can still be completed and submitted; and INZ will contact some applicants who still have draft applications.
From 8 October 2026, applicants who still want to apply after their draft application has been deleted will need to start again in the new system. Applications already submitted can continue in the old system – applicants can still upload documents and respond to INZ requests for further information until a decision is made and they are notified of the outcome.
04. Which Visitor Visas are affected
The system changes cover the following categories:
- Visitor Visa
- Business Visitor Visa
- Academic Visitor Visa
- Arts and Music Festival Visitor Visa
- Culturally Arranged Marriage Visitor Visa
- Guardian Visitor Visa
- Medical Treatment Visitor Visa
- Parent and Grandparent Visitor Visa
- Occupational Registration Visitor Visa
- Sports Events Visitor Visa
- Visiting Media Visitor Visa
- Other related Visitor Visa categories.
Group Visitor Visa categories
Applications for the Approved Destination Status (ADS) Group Visitor Visa, Group Visitor Visa and Tour Escort Visitor Visa move to the new system from 24 August 2026. The new Group Visitor Visa replaces the MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences and Exhibitions) and FAO (Foreign Affairs Official) categories in the old system.
If you are currently preparing a Visitor Visa application, we recommend not leaving a draft application sitting in the old system for long. If your application has not yet been submitted, please note: after 24 September 2026, new applications need to be submitted through the new system, and after 8 October 2026, any remaining draft applications in the old system will be deleted. Applications that have already been formally submitted do not currently need to be resubmitted because of the system change.
05. Visitor visas not affected by this change
The following visitor visas moved to the new system in June 2026. The upgraded system is now INZ's preferred system for receiving these applications. Applications submitted through the new system are prioritised for processing, reflecting INZ's current focus on managing and processing applications through the new system.
- Partner of Military Visitor Visa
- Child of Military Visitor Visa
- Partner of a Student Visitor Visa
- Child of a Student Visitor Visa
- Partner of a Worker Visitor Visa
- Child of a Worker Visitor Visa
Two visitor visa application forms are not changing for now
The following application forms can still be submitted through the old system and will stay there until they are later moved to the upgraded system:
- Partner of a New Zealander Visitor Visa
- Child of a New Zealander Visitor Visa
A note from Leader
The AIP changes focus on clarifying the requirements for the source of funds, funds transfer and investment evidence. The Visitor Visa changes mainly concern the move to a new application system – the visa categories themselves are not changing.
If you are planning an AIP application – especially one involving borrowed funds, gifted funds, overseas assets or Managed Funds – we recommend planning your documents early, at the investment and funds-arrangement stage, to avoid gaps in your source-of-funds evidence later on.