New Zealand•Oceania

Open

Interim Visa

Work

At a Glance

Processing Time

Varies

Application Fee

Free

Stay Duration

Up to 6 months

Renewable

Job Offer

Not Required

Dependents

Not Specified

PR Pathway

Remote Work

Not Required

Official Information

Overview

The New Zealand Interim Visa is an electronic bridging permit granted automatically by Immigration New Zealand under the Immigration Act 2009. It preserves a person's lawful status while INZ decides a further temporary visa application, closing the gap when a current permit expires mid-assessment. Holders cannot apply for it — eligibility is checked and the eVisa issued without action.

To qualify, you must hold a current temporary visa, have lodged and had accepted a further temporary visa application before it expires, be in New Zealand, and not have previously held an SMC or 2021 Interim Visa. There is no fee. Stay is capped at 6 months or until the new application is decided; if declined, the visa expires 21 days later. Leaving New Zealand causes it to lapse.

This visa is ideal for temporary visa holders already in New Zealand who have applied in time for a further work, student or visitor visa and need to remain lawfully on shore while INZ assesses the new application.

Requirements

ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS

Must hold a current temporary visa (work, student, visitor or other temporary visa)

Must have lodged and had accepted a further temporary visa application before the current visa expires

Must be physically present in New Zealand

Must not have previously been granted a Skilled Migrant Category Interim Visa or a 2021 Interim Visa

KEY CRITERIA

Education

none or higher

Advantages & Considerations

Key Benefits

Free of charge — no application fee or immigration levy
Granted automatically as an eVisa with no separate application required
Maintains lawful status in New Zealand while a further temporary visa is being decided
Work or study rights can continue, mirroring conditions of the previous or applied-for visa
Issued electronically — no need to send your passport to INZ
Valid for up to 6 months, providing meaningful buffer for complex assessments

Worth Knowing

Leaving New Zealand immediately causes the Interim Visa to lapse, with no re-entry on it
Conditions are not guaranteed — they depend on your previous and applied-for visas and may be more restrictive (e.g. visitor-only)
If your new temporary visa application is declined, the Interim Visa expires 21 days later
Cannot be applied for directly; grant is at the absolute discretion of INZ
Not granted if you are outside New Zealand when your current visa expires
Not available if you have previously held a Skilled Migrant Category Interim Visa or a 2021 Interim Visa
Not granted if your new temporary visa application was not accepted for processing before your current visa expired

Application Process

Apply for a new temporary work, student or visitor visa while still in New Zealand

Ensure the new application is complete and accepted for processing before your current visa expires

Receive an email from INZ a few days before your current visa expires confirming whether an Interim Visa will be granted

Interim Visa is issued automatically as an eVisa starting the day after your current visa expires

If your new visa is approved, it replaces the Interim Visa; if declined, the Interim Visa expires 21 days after the decline decision

Verified Claims (5)

Last verified May 31, 2026

Application Steps	Apply for a new temporary work, student or visitor visa while still in New Zealand; Ensure the new a…	immigration.govt.nz
Official Info	https://www.immigration.govt.nz/visas/interim-visa/	immigration.govt.nz
Max Stay	Up to 6 months while the new temporary visa application is decided; expires 21 days after the date o…	immigration.govt.nz
Processing Time	Granted automatically as an eVisa when your current visa expires; INZ emails you a few days before e…	immigration.govt.nz
Requirements	Must hold a current temporary visa (work, student, visitor or other temporary visa); Must have lodge…	immigration.govt.nz

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