Interim Visa in New Zealand

The Interim Visa is a temporary visa issued by Immigration New Zealand (INZ) to allow individuals to remain lawfully in the country while their new visa application is being processed. It acts as a bridging visa, ensuring continuous legal stay between the expiry of a current visa and the decision on the pending application.

Key Features of the Interim Visa:

• Seamless Legal Stay: The Interim Visa prevents visa gaps, allowing you to remain in New Zealand lawfully while waiting for your next visa decision.
• Automatic Grant: In most cases, an Interim Visa is issued automatically when your current visa expires and your next visa application is still under consideration by INZ.
• Conditional Permissions: The conditions of your Interim Visa — such as the right to work or study — usually reflect the conditions of your most recent visa or the type of visa you have applied for.
• Validity Period: The Interim Visa remains valid until a decision is made on your new visa application. It cannot be extended or renewed independently.
• Appeal Situations: If your application is declined and you decide to appeal, an Interim Visa may be granted to allow you to stay in New Zealand while your appeal is under review.
• Access to Services: Depending on your visa conditions, holders of an Interim Visa may still access essential services such as healthcare and education.

Application Process:

• 1. Automatic Issue: If you have lodged a new visa application before your current visa expires, INZ will automatically issue an Interim Visa once your existing visa lapses.
• 2. Manual Request (If Required): In some cases — such as appeals or complex situations — you may need to manually request an Interim Visa to maintain lawful status.
• 3. Compliance: While holding an Interim Visa, you must follow all visa conditions and refrain from activities (e.g., work or study) not permitted under its specific terms.
• 4. Expiry: The Interim Visa expires once INZ makes a decision on your pending visa application or if you leave New Zealand.

The Interim Visa ensures continuity and peace of mind for applicants awaiting visa outcomes. At Visa2Migrate, we assist applicants in understanding and maintaining their lawful status during transitions — ensuring you remain compliant with INZ policies while awaiting your next visa approval.