Interim Visa
This visa is normally given automatically to allow you to stay in New Zealand if your visa expires while we are assessing your application for another temporary visa.
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Processing time
Granted when
previous visa expires
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Cost
NZD $0
To be eligible:
- have a current temporary visa
- have applied for another temporary visa
- be in New Zealand
- meet the other requirements for this visa.
This visa lets you:
- stay in New Zealand lawfully while we assess your application for another temporary visa
- continue working and studying, depending on your situation.
You cannot apply for an Interim Visa. If you are eligible, we will give it to you automatically.
Your Interim Visa starts when your current visa expires.
How long can you stay
You can stay up to 6 months, while we are deciding on your new visa application.
If you receive an Interim Visa and we decline your new visa application, your Interim Visa will expire 21 days after your application is declined.
Check the section 'When you get your visa' for more information about how long you can stay.
What you pay
There is no fee for an Interim Visa.
What you need
To be considered for an Interim Visa you must:
- have a current temporary visa — this could be a work visa, student visa, visitor visa or other temporary visa
- have applied for another temporary visa
- be in New Zealand
- have not already been given a Skilled Migrant Category Interim Visa or 2021 Interim Visa.
Current temporary visa
You must have a current temporary visa to work, study or visit.
We will check our records to confirm you have a current temporary visa.
New temporary visa application
You must have applied for another work, student or visitor visa.
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.
Note
If you have applied for a resident visa and you think your current visa may expire while you are waiting for our decision on your resident visa application, you should also apply for a new temporary visa to work, study or visit. That way you will be eligible for an Interim Visa if you need one.
Location
You must be in New Zealand.
We will check our records to confirm this.
What to do
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1
Step 1: Apply for a new temporary visa
Apply for a new temporary visa to work, study or visit.
We must receive your completed visa application before your current visa expires.
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2
Step 2: Wait for our decision
If your previous visa expires before we make a decision on your new visa application and you are in New Zealand, we will normally give you an Interim Visa.
We will email you a couple of days before your visa expires to tell you if you will be given an Interim Visa.
Note
If you do not receive an email, check your spam folder before contacting us.
Your Interim Visa will be given to you electronically as an eVisa. There will be no physical visa label in your passport, so you do not need to send your passport to us.
When you get your Interim Visa
When your current visa expires, you will automatically be given an Interim Visa.
Your Interim Visa will:
- start the day your current visa expires
- expire after 6 months if no decision is made in this time.
Alert
If you leave New Zealand your Interim Visa will expire.
Your Interim Visa conditions will depend on the visa you previously had and the new visa you have applied for.
When we decide on your work, student or visitor visa
If we approve your new temporary 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.