An Interim Visa is granted in order to allow someone the ability to remain in New Zealand while their application for another, temporary visa is considered. It is usually given automatically if the applicant’s current visa is expected to expire before they receive a decision on their new visa.
Who can apply for an Interim Visa?
It is not possible to apply for an Interim Visa yourself. Rather, if you are eligible, New Zealand Immigration will grant you an Interim Visa automatically while you wait for you application for another visa to be considered.
In order to be eligible to be granted an Interim Visa, you must:
- currently hold either a visitor, student or work visa
- be awaiting a decision on another visitor, student or work visa
- NB: You must have already applied for this visa in order to be eligible for an Interim Visa
- be physically located in New Zealand
What does an Interim Visa offer?
An Interim Visa gives the holder the right to remain in New Zealand while they await a decision on their application for a new visa. Interim visas are electronic rather than physical documents and will therefore not be attached to your passport.
Whether you are permitted to work or study on an Interim Visa will usually depend on the rights and conditions you had on your previous visa. They may also be impacted by the rights and conditions typically attached to the new visa you have applied for.
Interim Visas do not give holders the right to enter New Zealand. If you leave New Zealand before you have received a decision on your new visa, your Interim Visa will expire and your application for the new visa may be affected.
An Interim Visa is valid for a maximum of six months, but will expire earlier if you receive a decision on your application for a new visa:
- If your application is approved and you are granted a new visa, that visa takes precedence and your Interim Visa expires
- If your application is declined or you withdraw it, your Interim Visa will expire 21 days later
How much does an Interim Visa cost?
Interim Visas are free of charge and will be granted automatically if you are eligible.
If you have submitted an application for another visa and your current visa is about to expire, you should receive an email from New Zealand Immigration informing you that you have been granted an Interim Visa. This email is usually sent a couple of days before the expiry of your current visa.
Mohamed Anas Sirajur Raheem
BA (Political Studies), LLB (VUW)
Mohamed is an enrolled Barrister and Solicitor of the High Court of New Zealand, specializing in immigration law.
He is a former New Zealand Immigration Officer (Visa Services) and Border Officer at Auckland International Airport. He has several years of experience working in various Government Departments in New Zealand and has also worked as a Licensed Immigration Adviser at a prominent New Zealand Immigration firm.
His areas of expertise and interest are in the fields of General Skilled Migration, Temporary Work (Long and Short Stay), Business visas, Partner, Parent and Child Visa streams.
Mohamed was inspired to pursue a career in immigration by his own migration experiences. Over the years he has assisted individuals, families, large corporations, Professional sportspeople, and Entertainers (singers, speakers, and actors) to come to New Zealand.
