Immigration New Zealand has announced that from 13 July 2026, only in-person Occupational English Test (OET) results completed at approved supervised test centres will be accepted for immigration applications. Learn who is affected, what the changes mean, and how to prepare your New Zealand visa application.

Immigration New Zealand has confirmed the final changes to the Skilled Migrant Category (SMC) Resident Visa and Work to Residence pathways, effective 24 August 2026. The updates simplify wage threshold rules, clarify qualification requirements, strengthen genuine employment settings, and introduce important changes for skilled migrants planning their pathway to New Zealand residence.