We’ll use our records to check you have a current visa.
Interim Visa
This visa is usually granted automatically so you can stay in New Zealand if your visa expires while we assess your application for another temporary visa.
Length of stay
Up to
6 months
Cost
NZD $0
Processing time
Granted when previous
previous visa expires
With this visa you can
- Stay in New Zealand while we assess your application for another visa.
- Depending on your situation, you may be able to work or study.
Things to note
- You cannot apply for an interim visa, it will be granted automatically if you are eligible.
- Your interim visa will be granted electronically. There will not be a physical visa label in your passport.
- Your interim visa will start when your current visa expires.
- We only grant interim visas to people who have applied for temporary visas.
- If you have applied for a Skilled Migrant Category Resident Visa under the new criteria, we will process a Skilled Migrant Category Interim Visa for you.
Skilled Migrant Category Interim Visa
Provide your details to make the experience more relevant to you.
Who can apply
The criteria and evidence below will provide you with the information you need to meet the requirements of this visa.
View All Evidence
We must receive your new visa application and have accepted it for processing before your current visa expires. For us to accept it for processing, you must make sure you include all the documents we ask for with your application.
Tips
If we don’t receive your completed visa application before your visa expires, you won’t be eligible for an interim visa.
If you’ve applied for a resident visa, and you think your visa may expire before we make a decision about your residence application, you should apply for a temporary visa too. That way you’ll be eligible for an interim visa if you need one.
We will check our records to confirm you are in New Zealand.
Process and cost
The information below will help you understand the process, timeframes and costs involved in applying for this visa, so you can plan ahead and have the best chance of submitting a complete application.
1
Apply for a temporary visa
You apply for a work, student or visitor visa.
We receive your complete application before your current visa expires.
2
We grant you an interim visa
If your previous visa expires before we make a decision on your next application and you are in New Zealand, we will normally grant you an interim visa.
We will email you a couple of days before your visa expires to tell you we've granted an Interim Visa.
If you don't receive an email about an interim visa, check your spam folder before contacting us.
Your Interim Visa will be granted electronically, so there will be no physical visa label in your passport. There is no need to send us your passport.
Immigration costs
Application cost – There is no fee.
Timeframes - Automatically
Granted when previous previous visa expires
An interim visa will be granted automatically and will begin when your previous temporary visa expires.
3
Your previous visa expires
Your previous visa expires before we grant you a new visa and your Interim Visa begins.
Your interim visa will start the day your current visa expires and will expire after 6 months if no decision is made in this time. If you leave New Zealand your Interim Visa will expire.
Your interim visas conditions will depend on the visa you previously held and the new visa you have applied for.
4
We make a decision about your new visa application
If we approve your new visa application, your new visa will start immediately and replace your interim visa.
If we decline your new visa application, your interim visa will expire 21 days after your application is declined.
Conditions
These are the conditions that you must meet once you have your visa.
Travel
If you leave New Zealand, your interim visa will expire.
No new visa applications
You can’t apply for another visa while in New Zealand on an interim visa.
Work or Study
You can only work or study if allowed by the conditions of your interim visa.
Your interim visa conditions will depend on the kind of visa you had when you were granted your interim visa and the kind of visa you applied for.
Visa expiry
You must leave New Zealand before your visa expires.
Your interim visa will expire:
- if we approve your application and grant you a visa, or
- 21 days after your application is declined, or withdrawn, or
- after 6 months, if no decision has been made in 6 months.
Notes
If your visa expires and you are not granted an interim visa, you must leave New Zealand.
If your interim visa expires and you haven’t been granted a new visa, you must leave New Zealand