Looking back over the past year, one thing is clear – New Zealand immigration has remained as busy, complex and fast-moving as ever, both in policy terms and in the lives of the clients I work with every day.
For migrants, employers and families alike, this has meant new opportunities in some areas, tighter settings in others, and a clear signal that immigration policy will continue to evolve quickly.
Looking back on 2025 – a year of adjustment and expansion
One of the themes of 2025 has been greater flexibility, particularly within temporary visa settings.
Early in the year, New Zealand formally opened its doors to digital nomads. Visitor visa holders are now able to work remotely for overseas employers while spending time in New Zealand, provided they do not work for New Zealand businesses or clients. This change has made New Zealand a far more attractive option for remote professionals looking to spend extended time here without breaching visa conditions.
We also saw continued movement in family policy. Immigration New Zealand introduced a new tool allowing applicants to check whether their Parent Resident Visa Expression of Interest had been selected in the ballot – a small change, but one that added welcome transparency to an often stressful process.
Education and skills remained a strong focus throughout the year. In March, Primary School Teachers were added to Tier 1 of the Green List, giving eligible teachers access to a Straight to Residence pathway. This followed earlier Green List changes and reinforced the Government’s intention to prioritise critical shortages across the education system.
Trades and technical roles also received long-awaited attention. From August 2025, ten trade occupations were added to the Green List Work to Residence pathway, creating new residence options for experienced workers who had previously been locked into temporary visas despite long-term labour shortages.
Alongside this, Immigration New Zealand expanded the List of Qualifications Exempt from Assessment, adding nine new countries and updating several existing entries. For many skilled migrants, this removed the need for an International Qualification Assessment and significantly reduced both cost and processing time.
Wage thresholds were another recurring theme. The median wage increase to NZD $33.56 per hour in August 2025 had flow-on effects across skilled residence pathways, Green List roles and some of the criteria within AEWV policy, reinforcing the importance of accurate salary planning for both employers and migrants.
A major shift for parents and families
One of the most notable developments this year has been the introduction of the Parent Boost Visitor Visa.
Opening for applications in September 2025, this visa allows parents of New Zealand citizens and residents to stay for up to five years at a time, with the option to reapply for a second visa. While it does not provide a pathway to residence, it fills a long-standing gap between short-term visitor visas and the highly capped Parent Resident Visa.
At the same time, a move to clear the queue and increase numbers being selected from the ballot for the Parent Resident Visa, has created some renewed hope for families seeking permanent reunification.
Business and occupation reform gathers pace
From a business perspective, 2025 marked a turning point.
In April, the new Active Investor Plus visa was launched, providing two new simplified investment categories (Growth and Balanced) to attract foreign investment. It provides the opportunity for high net-worth individuals, with the means to invest NZD$5 million or NZD$10 million in qualifying New Zealand investments, a more streamlined pathway to residence than previously.
The Entrepreneur Work Visa closed, making way for a new Business Investor Work Visa which opened in November 2025. This new category is designed to attract experienced investors who will actively run businesses, employ New Zealand staff and contribute to economic growth, with clearer residence pathways built in.
We also saw the beginning of one of the most substantial structural changes in recent years – the transition from ANZSCO to the National Occupation List (NOL). From November 2025, selected occupations under the NOL became eligible for the AEWV, with many more expected to follow as the system rolls out across other visa categories. This shift broadens the range of recognised roles and reflects a more modern view of the labour market.
What this looked like in practice
From a practical perspective, 2025 has been one of my busiest years to date.
I’ve worked with a significant number of partners of New Zealand citizens and residents, supporting them through resident visa, permanent resident visa, work visa and visitor visa applications, often helping families secure stability after long periods of uncertainty.
Healthcare has also remained a key focus. I’ve assisted many GPs and nurses to secure Straight to Residence visas and Accredited Employer Work Visas, helping employers address critical shortages while providing clear, achievable pathways to residence for their staff.
For existing clients already in New Zealand, the expansion of the Green List – particularly the addition of new trades roles – has been especially impactful. In several cases, this has allowed people to apply for residence far earlier than they had originally anticipated, bringing forward long-term security for them and their families.
These are just a few examples, but they reflect a broader trend – immigration policy changes are not abstract. When timed and navigated correctly, they can make a real and immediate difference to people’s lives.
Looking ahead – what’s coming next
While 2025 has been busy, much of the groundwork laid this year points firmly towards further change.
Immigration New Zealand has already confirmed significant updates to the Skilled Migrant Category, due to take effect in 2026. These include new residence pathways recognising long-term work experience and trades and technical skills, reduced New Zealand work experience requirements, and more practical wage assessment rules. Together, these changes are intended to make residence more accessible for people who are already contributing to the workforce, particularly outside traditional professional roles.
We can also expect continued expansion and introduction of the National Occupation List, further refinement of Green List settings, and ongoing adjustments to ensure immigration settings align with labour market needs and economic growth goals.
2026 is already shaping up to be another busy year.
Final thoughts
If there’s one constant in New Zealand immigration, it’s change. Over the past year we’ve seen real efforts to simplify processes, recognise a wider range of skills, and provide more realistic options for families and long-term migrants. At the same time, the pace of reform means that staying informed – and planning early – has never been more important.
As we move into the year ahead, immigration policy is set to continue evolving quickly. Whether you’re considering your first move to New Zealand, planning a residence pathway, or navigating options for your family, tailored advice can make all the difference.
If you’d like help understanding how these changes apply to your situation, feel free to get in touch.
