New Zealand resumes processing of residence class visas

Immigration New Zealand provides updates – last updated on May 13 – on the impact of COVID-19 special measures on visas, temporary border measures, travel, as well as essential service support.

Certain changes have been made by the New Zealand Government in keeping with the Epidemic Management Notice that has been in effect since April 2, 2020.

Visa duration extensions have been granted by Immigration New Zealand in view of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Visa holders – work, visitor, student, interim or limited visa – that had their visa expiring between April 2 and July 9, 2020 and were in New Zealand on April 2, 2020 will have an automatic extension of their visas till September 25, 2020.

A confirmation of the automatic extension of the visa is to be emailed to all such visa holders.

Immigration New Zealand [INZ] cannot grant visa duration extensions other than those covered under the terms of the Epidemic Management Notice.

From April 28, INZ has increased its processing capacity following the transition to COVID-19 Alert Level 3. While offshore officers remain closed, all onshore INZ offices have been reopened.

From May 14, INZ is now able to resume processing of residence class visas along with prioritizing applications for residence class as well as temporary entry class visas.

Residence applications wherein the applicant are already in New Zealand will be given priority over those applications in which the applicant is overseas.

Among the New Zealand temporary visa applications, priority is to be given to applications for temporary visa applicants that are already in New Zealand and critical workers that are needed for supporting the Government response to COVID-19.

INZ encourages applicants to apply online for eligible visas as paper applications will take a longer time due to the reduction of staff in their onshore offices.

On a temporary basis, the Government of New Zealand has decided to relax visa conditions for a short period of time in order to allow international students and temporary migrant workers to assist with essential services during COVID-19.

If you are looking to Study, Work, Visit, Invest or Migrate Overseas, talk to Y-Axis, the World’s No.1 Immigration & Visa Company.

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