2021 Interim Visa

If you apply for a 2021 Resident Visa and your current visa expires while you are waiting for the resident visa to be processed, you can get a 2021 Interim Visa so you can stay in New Zealand.

How to get a 2021 Interim Visa
If you have applied for a 2021 Resident Visa and your current visa expires in the next 7 days, we will process a 2021 Interim Visa for you which will come into effect the day after your current visa expires. You do not need to apply.

We will send you an E-Visa with the appropriate duration and conditions.

Conditions
If you have a work or visitor visa the 2021 Interim Visa will let you stay in New Zealand with your current visa conditions.

If you have a student visa you will get open student visa conditions, allowing you to study any programme at any educational institute at any location.

How long the visa lasts
The 2021 Interim Visa is valid for 12 months unless your 2021 Resident Visa application is declined or withdrawn within this 12 month period.

In this case the interim visa will expire 2 months from the date of the decision to decline or withdraw.

If you want to apply for a further temporary visa instead
If your current visa is about to expire you may want to apply for a further temporary visa, rather than getting a 2021 Interim Visa, because the temporary visa’s conditions are more suitable for you. For example, you may want to move from work to study.

If you want to do this you must apply for a further temporary visa before your current visa expires.

ALERT
If you do not apply for another temporary visa before your current visa expires you will automatically get a 2021 Interim Visa and you will not be able to apply for a further visa.

If your resident visa is declined or you withdraw
If you withdraw your 2021 Resident Visa application or your visa is declined you will only be able to apply for further visas if you have applied for or hold a temporary visa (not an interim visa).