Is the New Zealand Global Impact Visa still open?

The strongest available evidence says no. Immigration New Zealand's own operational material describes the Global Impact Visa as a four year pilot that ran from 2017 to 2021, capped at 400 visas, written in the past tense rather than as a current category. The Edmund Hillary Fellowship, which selected candidates for the route, has said it has stopped recruiting new fellows. We have not found one single dated closure announcement, but the pattern across INZ and EHF's own material is consistent. Official source: Immigration New Zealand (INZ), Global Impact visa operational guidance (BG1.5, BG2.1). Reviewed 17 July 2026.

Can I still apply for the Global Impact Visa?

As things stand on 17 July 2026, we could not find an open application path for new entrants. The application guide for the Global Impact Work Visa (INZ 1234) has not been updated since July 2021, and the Edmund Hillary Fellowship, whose selection was required before INZ would consider a case, has said it has moved away from recruiting new fellows. Confirm directly with Immigration New Zealand or the Edmund Hillary Fellowship before assuming otherwise. Official source: Immigration New Zealand (INZ), Global Impact Work Visa application guide INZ 1234. Reviewed 17 July 2026.

What was the Global Impact Visa?

A joint pilot between Immigration New Zealand and the Edmund Hillary Fellowship, running from 2017 to 2021 and capped at 400 work visas. EHF selected entrepreneurs, start-up team members, and investors it judged capable of building innovation-based ventures in New Zealand, and INZ made the final visa decision. It was not a points test: selection depended on EHF's own assessment rather than a fixed scoring rubric.

Why does the Global Impact Visa appear to be closed?

Several pieces of evidence point the same way. INZ's operational manual pages describe it as a finished four year pilot. The Global Impact Work Visa application guide has not been revised since July 2021, and the permanent residence guide has not been revised since December 2019. The Edmund Hillary Fellowship has publicly said it has stopped recruiting new fellows and has merged its governance into its parent organisation, the Hillary Institute. Taken together, this is consistent, well-evidenced information rather than a single confirmed closure announcement. Official source: Immigration New Zealand (INZ), Global Impact visa operational guidance and application guides. Reviewed 17 July 2026.

Will the Global Impact Visa reopen?

We genuinely do not know. Neither Immigration New Zealand nor the Edmund Hillary Fellowship has announced a replacement fellowship-based route, or given any timeline for one, as of 17 July 2026. We think it is unwise to wait for or plan around this specific route reopening, and would rather point you toward New Zealand's other current routes than guess at a return date.

Is the Global Impact Permanent Residence Visa also closed?

No, that page is genuinely live on the Immigration New Zealand website. It is the second stage for people who already hold a Global Impact Work Visa, have held it for at least 30 months, and still have EHF's continuing support, plus meet health and character requirements. It is not a way for new entrants to get into the programme; it exists for people already inside the fellowship progressing toward residence. Official source: Immigration New Zealand (INZ), Global Impact Permanent Residence Visa page. Reviewed 17 July 2026.

What did the Edmund Hillary Fellowship do?

EHF is a private fellowship organisation that selected candidates for the Global Impact Visa: entrepreneurs, start-up team members, and investors it judged had potential to build innovation-based ventures in New Zealand. Over roughly three and a half years, it selected more than 500 fellows from over 40 nationalities, out of around 3,400 applicants. Its selection did not guarantee a visa grant, since Immigration New Zealand made the final decision separately. Official source: Edmund Hillary Fellowship (EHF), public fellowship status statements. Reviewed 17 July 2026.

How much did the Global Impact Visa cost?

The Global Impact Permanent Residence Visa fee is listed from NZD 6,490. We could not confirm a current Edmund Hillary Fellowship fellowship fee from any primary source, so treat any figure you see quoted elsewhere with caution and contact EHF directly if you believe you have an active pathway. This is separate from New Zealand's standard sufficient funds or maintenance requirement, a routine financial means test used more broadly across INZ visa categories, which some sources incorrectly describe as if it were the fellowship's own fee. Official source: Immigration New Zealand (INZ), Global Impact Permanent Residence Visa page. Reviewed 17 July 2026.

What should I do if I was hoping to use the Global Impact Visa?

Look at New Zealand's current routes instead of waiting. The Active Investor Plus visa suits investors, the Skilled Migrant Category suits people with strong skilled work experience, and the Accredited Employer Work Visa suits people with, or able to secure, a job offer from an accredited New Zealand employer. A free assessment can tell you quickly which one fits your background.

Can my family join me on a Global Impact visa?

For the Global Impact Permanent Residence Visa specifically, which remains live for people already in the fellowship, a partner and dependent children aged 24 and under can be included in the same application. This does not apply to new entry, since there is no open intake path for the work visa stage as things stand. Official source: Immigration New Zealand (INZ), Global Impact Permanent Residence Visa page. Reviewed 17 July 2026.

Are third-party sites describing the Global Impact Visa as open reliable?

Treat them with caution. A number of immigration adviser marketing sites still describe this route in the present tense, as though new applications were open. Based on Immigration New Zealand's own archived-style operational material and the Edmund Hillary Fellowship's public statements about no longer recruiting new fellows, we believe that is out of date. Verify directly with INZ or EHF before paying anyone for help applying to this specific route.

Does eMigr8 give legal or immigration advice?

No. We give coaching, profile review, and guidance to help you understand your options and prepare a strong application. We do not give legal advice or immigration consultation, and the Global Impact Visa's status in particular relies on interpreting several pieces of evidence together rather than one official statement, so always confirm anything material with Immigration New Zealand or the Edmund Hillary Fellowship.

The New Zealand Global Impact Visa, a closed pilot with no open path for new applicants

The Global Impact Visa (GIVisa) was a four year pilot, delivered jointly by Immigration New Zealand (INZ) and the Edmund Hillary Fellowship (EHF), that ran from 2017 to 2021 and was capped at 400 work visas. It is not currently open to new applicants. The Edmund Hillary Fellowship has said publicly that it has stopped recruiting new fellows and is instead supporting its existing community, and INZ's own operational material describing the pilot is written in the past tense. Plenty of third-party immigration sites still describe this route as if it were live, so this page sets out clearly what it was, what the current evidence tells us about its status, and where to look instead if you were hoping to use it.

Who it is for

Entrepreneurs selected or offered a place by the Edmund Hillary Fellowship, individually or as part of a founding team; Investors judged by EHF to have potential to build innovation based ventures in New Zealand; People who already held a Global Impact Work Visa and needed to progress to the Global Impact Permanent Residence Visa; Not a points based or salary based test: selection depended on EHF's own assessment, not a fixed scoring rubric; Anyone hoping to enter New Zealand today through this specific route should treat it as closed and look at alternatives.

How eMigr8 helps

eMigr8 gives you coaching and guidance to understand your options and prepare a strong application. We do not give legal advice or immigration consultation. The status of the Global Impact Visa, and whether INZ or EHF launch a replacement fellowship-based route, may change, so always confirm the current position directly with Immigration New Zealand or the Edmund Hillary Fellowship before you rely on anything here.