Changes for Visit and move to NZ

What happens to a Visitor licence issued before or after 23 September 2026?

If you were issued a Visitor Licence before 23 September 2026, your licence remains valid and is treated as if it were issued under the Arms Act 2026.

If you applied for a Visitor Licence before 23 September 2026 and your application was approved before that date, but the licence was issued on or after 23 September 2026, the licence will be treated as having been issued under the Arms Act 2026.

If you applied for a Visitor Licence before 23 September 2026 and your application had not been approved by that date, your application will be treated as if it were made under section 122 of the Arms Act 2026.

Application for visitor licence | Arms Act 2026, Part 3, Section 122 | New Zealand Legislation website

Application by visitor for firearms licence made but not determined before commencement date | Arms Act 2026, Part 3, Section 9 | New Zealand Legislation website
 

Extended duration for visitor licences

From 23 September 2026, visitor licences allow people to use firearms while making one trip to New Zealand within a 12-month period.

From 23 February 2028, visitor licences will allow people to use firearms while making multiple trips to New Zealand within an 18-month period. 

A person can apply for either option (one trip or multi-trip) from 23 February 2028. 

This change will allow visitors to enter and leave New Zealand multiple times within an 18-month period without having to reapply for a licence each time. 

Previously, visitors had to apply for and be granted a visitor licence every time they entered New Zealand.

Before you apply for a visitor licence

Duration of visitor licence | Arms Act 2026, Section 131 | New Zealand Legislation website

 

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