2025 - That’s A Wrap
It’s almost time to turn off the screens, pack up the keyboard and head home for the holidays - which for most of us in NZ means some time at the beach after time with family over a good Christmas lunch. New Zealand does tend to pretty much shut down over the break, although in more recent years plenty of people are heading back to the daily grind a little sooner.
For us, we will be closing down on 23 December, and heading back to the office on 12 January. INZ will be closed from 24 December and then slowly opening back up from 05 January, although not with a full staff complement from day one. If you are planning on getting a visa approved between now and the 5th of January, odds are you might be disappointed. However if you are looking to head here in the new year, then 2026, could prove to be a very rewarding time for skilled migrants as the Government roles out the new work experience and trades and technicians pathways.
As we are almost about to wrap things up for the year and as is customary for the THiS team, its always a good time to review what has happened, where we might be headed in terms of immigration rules to come and to celebrate some of the wins of 2025.
The coalition Government and our current Minister of Immigration have moved swiftly and decisively on a wide-range of visa issues, tidying up was left behind by the former Government and the post-covid fallout. Those move have seen three new visa categories introduced and significant changes to existing categories - some good, some bad, and some that still need some explanation. So, if you are contemplating a move to New Zealand in 2026, this article is for you.
We recap the highlights from 2025, including the refreshed Active Investor Visa, the new Parent Boost Visa and the very new Business Investor Visa. We also take a look at what is in store for the new year, and in particular the roll out of the new SMC “pillars” to recognise work experience and those in the trades and more technical roles. For the aspiring new migrant, the next 12 months look full of opportunity as NZ continues to target the best and the brightest.
2025 - Visas In Review?
When the current coalition Government came to power in 2023, they had some lofty goals, one of which was to deliver a new five-year Parent Boost Visa - it might have taken a year and a half to get here, but in 2025 we saw that new policy being rolled out. In addition, the previous Active Investor Visa was given a complete make-over in response to the previous category rolled out by the former Government, being a complete lemon.
Finally in November of this year, the new Business Investor Visa was added to the stable, being a replacement for the previous Entrepreneur Visa, which had been plagued by very low application numbers and an incredibly confusing and rather vague set of rules. So a big year indeed, for new visas at least. However very quietly changes were also made to the Accredited Employer Work Visa policy and Student Visa policies, the latter being more a change in process than the rules. These changes were aimed at tightening up the skill level of workers coming (with a strong view to reduce lower skilled migration) and also trying to streamline the Student Visa process.
Some of these changes hit the mark, whilst others created more chaos than was necessary. On the whole however, the Government has moved quickly to tighten the loose bolts on their visa machinery and to get processing levels in check. For the most part those processing levels are in check, particularly for residence applications, which are moving relatively quickly.
New Visas, New Opportunities
2025 has ushered in new visa categories, opening the door for increased investment in to NZ and stronger connections for families.
New Business Visas
Our Active Investor Visa, has been the relative star of the show this year, with applicant numbers sitting just below 500 (491 as of 15 December) since the updated rules were rolled out on 01 April. That represents a very significant level of potential investment, although not all of that has arrived.
The one thing we need to watch with this policy is the quality of the investment opportunities that are arriving (they are coming in vast numbers) to make sure that we don’t end up with bad news stories after the minimum three year investment period. From all accounts the Government is watching this closely and making minor adjustments as they go, which is helping to keep the popularity of this visa option alive and well (particularly from our US markets).
The new Business Investor Visa was a little bit like one of those fireworks you expect to go “bang” but ends up being a bit more of a “fizz”. It is a good policy but will be very limited in numbers, given the very prescriptive requirements for the business you invest in. I suspect the market is still getting to grips with how the policy works, before it is pushed more heavily.
The Parent Boost Visa
The Parent Boost Visa was probably the most anticipated of all Visas for 2025, particularly as it was campaigned on by both the National and ACT parties in the run up to the 2023 election. What was promised was a five year visa for parents to stay in NZ with their children and grandchildren, potentially whilst they wait for their Parent Residence application to be processed, or just to allow parents the freedom to come and go.
What was delivered was very similar in form, but quite different in substance. I suspect that when those two parties decided this was a good idea, they had no real idea as to the complexity involved in delivering a visa like this. Making it too easy would see too many people apply and create a potential risk to our health system, whereas making it too easy would see significant push-back from the local migrant community (many of whom voted based on that proposed policy).
The end result was a semi-complex, but still workable policy that requires applicants to pass rigorous health screening and hold specific insurance (among other things of course). Not a panacea for every migrant wanting to bring their parents, but a sensible policy that protects both our system and also those parents from being stranded here without medical cover.
Digital Nomads
Finally, although announced first, was the “Digital Nomad Visa” which was in fact not a new visa at all, but instead a change to existing visitor visas, allowing applicants to work remotely for their home based company whilst sitting on a beach in New Zealand. Again a very smart move, targeting the tech sector, who can often work from anywhere and encouraging them to do so here in NZ, whilst spending their foreign currency.
This particular visa captured some significant global interest although often being misquoted as a new visa type, when it was really just a quick update to the conditions that are attached to visitor visas already being issued. Cleverly it was an easy move, for some good media wins and arguably a sensible one to tidy up a part of the rules that no one was ever really that clear on - when can you or can’t you work remotely in NZ.
So a big year, with big changes and having been directly involved with some of the work on these visas, it has been a big year from that perspective as well. All very welcome changes to increase the options for both skilled folks, those seeking to invest and family members alike.
2026 & Beyond
So with 2025 being a big year in policy changes, does that mean 2026 might slow down a little? Well odds are that the pace of change will slow as the Government gears up for the 2026 elections. The Minister will be focussing her attention on that over the next 11 months or so and there for the pace of change, at least on the immigration front, is very likely to be subdued. Personally I hope that this Minister holds on to the portfolio (and the Government stays in power) as she has not only done more for immigration in her first two years than previous Labour minister combined, and has a real desire to get input and advice from the industry.
What The Future Holds
While we may not see as many changes in 2026, there are still a few exciting announcements to be made, particularly for skilled migrants.
However, while change might not be as fast-paced as 2025, we already have signals of changes to the Skilled Migrant Category, to be rolled out in August.
In a very clever move, the Minister released these announcements earlier this year, setting the scene, for pre-election. This gives the Government two bites at that media cherry, with an announcement now and the rules to roll out later in 2026…but only one actual thing being changed. Well played..
The changes that we will see in August 2026, are targeted at bringing in a wider range of skilled migrants, allowing those with good work experience and no formal qualifications to apply and also giving more tradespeople the ability to apply for residence as well. Two new “pillars” will be added to the Skilled Migrant Category for people in these camps, who currently don’t have a realistic pathway, other than to be paid a salary that is largely out of reach.
This is really welcome news, but alongside this we will also see the introduction of Red and Amber lists, which will contain occupations that are either barred from using these new pathways or have additional criteria added to make them more restrictive. These lists will be relatively small to begin with but may grow over time. These are occupations that have often been the source of abuse within the system, with people claiming them roles as skilled, when really they aren’t.
Beyond the fact that this opens doors for more people to qualify, it is also sending a very strong signal that New Zealand remains very much open for business when it comes to our migration numbers. Unlike many other countries where the signals are far less obvious or in fact quite the opposite.
New Year, New Start?
If New Zealand is in your sights for the new year, then it is never too early to start planning and the first step is to make sure you qualify under the current and potentially the future rules. Establishing your eligibility with a clear understanding of the steps involved, the documents required, and any potential challenges or obstacles is absolutely crucial.
Our team is ready and willing to assist you in each and every step, starting with that initial assessment of your eligibility. While we are heading away for the holidays, our online resources are always available. If you complete one of our assessments during the break, we will be in touch in the new year to work through the process with you.
For now however it is time to wind down, put feet up and ease in to the holidays and some well earned time off with friends and family. From all of us here, we wish you a very enjoyable, safe and relaxing holiday season and look forward to hearing from you in 2026 as we share more news, insights and updates from the New Zealand immigration space.
The Turner Hopkins Immigration team - 09 486 2169 or email immigration@turnerhopkins.co.nz.
Until next year!
