Update from Immigration New Zealand – August 2026

Placeholder photos in visa applications

Immigration New Zealand (INZ) expects representatives to ensure applications are complete and accurate at the time they are submitted.

A genuine face image of the applicant is required under immigration regulations and must comply with INZ's published photo standards, including that it must look like the applicant. Submitting a placeholder, stock, substitute, or other non-genuine image does not meet these requirements. It may constitute a breach of immigration regulations and may result in delays for the applicant.

Applications submitted with placeholder, stock, or substitute face images may be considered incomplete. They may be subject to additional identity verification checks, requests for further information, or processing delays until a compliant image of the applicant is provided.

The face image is an important part of our identity verification processes. It helps identity resolution teams confirm that the applicant is who they claim to be.

Using another person's face image, including an image sourced from the internet or from previous INZ publications, does not meet immigration requirements.

Providing the correct face image from the outset helps applications move through identity verification checks as efficiently as possible.

Representatives who continue this practice may also be contacted directly by INZ about their lodgement practices and compliance with immigration requirements.

Hepatitis B and C removed from resident visa high-cost health list

From 3 August 2026, hepatitis B and C were removed from the list of high-cost health conditions used to assess whether resident visa applicants have an acceptable standard of health.

The change reflects the reduced cost of treating these conditions. It means applicants with hepatitis B or C will no longer automatically be assessed as not meeting the acceptable standard of health requirement.

Instead, our medical assessors will consider the individual medical circumstances of each applicant with hepatitis B or C.

We have also updated the wording for several conditions on the high-cost health conditions list:

• Major psychiatric illness and/or addiction will only be included where significant support is required.
• Severe autoimmune disease wording has been updated to recognise a wider range of lower-cost treatment options.
• Renal and hepatic disorders wording has been clarified to better reflect the conditions intended to be included on the list.

These changes provide greater clarity for applicants and medical assessors. They also help ensure the list remains focused on conditions that are likely to impose significant costs and/or demands on New Zealand's health or education services.

Read INZ’s news item: Hepatitis B and C removed from resident visa high-cost health conditions list(external link) – Immigration New Zealand