Temporary visas automatically extended due to COVID-19

The Government recently announced an epidemic management notice for visas, to control the spread of COVID-19. This comes into effect on Thursday 2 April 2020.This means that people who meet the below criteria will be able to receive an automatic visa extension until 25 September 2020 provided:

• They are currently in New Zealand on 2 April 2020; and
• They are on a valid temporary entry class visa (i.e. work visa / student visa / visitor visa / interim visa / limited visa); and
• Their valid temporary entry class visa is due to expire between 2 April 2020 and 9 July 2020 inclusive.

You should receive confirmation of the extension from Immigration New Zealand by email in early April 2020.

Otherwise, if your current temporary entry class visa expires on or before 1 April 2020, you will need to urgently apply for a visa online before your current visa expires in order for you to remain lawful in New Zealand.

For more information on this please see the New Zealand Immigration website here.

If you would like to discuss the effect of any of these developments on your visa status, contact Sonja Hucker. Our team are currently working from home and are contactable digitally, over email, the phone and through ZOOM.