New Zealand•Oceania5 weeks
Free
Up to 6 months
Yes
Not Required
Allowed
No
Not Required
Free visitor visa keeping refugee or protection status claimants lawfully in New Zealand while INZ assesses their substantive claim; partners and dependent children included.
The Refugee Claimant Visitor Visa keeps refugee or protected person claimants lawfully in New Zealand while INZ determines their claim. Issued under E8.10 and V3.90 of the INZ Operational Manual, it is granted to claimants already in New Zealand who have lodged a Confirmation of Claim and hold a current temporary visa.
No application fee applies, and the visa is exempt from the Immigration Levy and IVCT Levy. INZ processes 80% of applications within five weeks. Holders may not work on standard visitor conditions, though work, student or limited conditions are possible under E8.10.15. Partners and dependent children aged 19 and under may be included, and the visa is renewable while the claim or appeal is pending.
This visa is ideal for refugee or protection status claimants in New Zealand who hold a current temporary visa and need to keep lawful status while their claim is assessed.
Visa application fee | 0 NZD |
Immigration Levy | 0 NZD |
International Visitor Conservation and Tourism Levy (IVCT) | 0 NZD |
Must have lodged a refugee or protection status claim in New Zealand (Confirmation of Claim filed with a Refugee and Protection Officer).
Must be physically in New Zealand at the time of application.
Must hold a current temporary visa (visitor, student, work, military, or diplomatic/official) when applying.
Must apply for a further temporary visa before the existing visa expires.
Must not already hold an SMC interim visa or a 2021 interim visa.
Must meet INZ identity, health and character requirements (chest X-ray may be required unless one was supplied with a prior visa application within the last 36 months).
Education
none or higher
Approved further temporary visa application form.
Current travel document, passport or other identity document (passport ideally valid at least 3 months beyond planned stay).
Passport-sized head-and-shoulders photograph.
Confirmation of Claim letter / evidence that a refugee or protection status claim has been lodged.
Chest X-ray certificate if required (unless supplied with a prior visa application within the last 36 months).
Evidence of genuine relationship for any partner and birth certificates / identity documents for dependent children aged 19 and under being included.
Police certificates if requested or if total stay in New Zealand will be 24 months or more (less than 6 months old).
Certified full English translations for any non-English supporting documents.
| Further temporary visa application form (refugee/protection claimant) | — |
| Application Steps | File a Confirmation of Claim form for refugee or protection status with a Refugee and Protection Off… | immigration.govt.nz |
| Dependent Visa | Partner and dependent children aged 19 and under may be included in the application; each must meet … | immigration.govt.nz |
| Fee Breakdown | Visa application fee: 0 NZD; Immigration Levy: 0 NZD; International Visitor Conservation and Tourism… | immigration.govt.nz |
| Fees | Free (NZD 0) — no application fee for refugee or protection status claimants; exempt from Immigratio… | immigration.govt.nz |
| Forms · Interim Visa Application · name | Further temporary visa application form (refugee/protection claimant) | immigration.govt.nz |
| Language Req | No English language test required. Non-English supporting documents must be accompanied by certified… | immigration.govt.nz |
| Official Info | https://www.immigration.govt.nz/new-zealand-visas/visas/visa/refugees-and-protection-status-claimant… | immigration.govt.nz |
| Max Stay | Granted in line with standard visitor visa rules (typically up to 6 months at a time) and renewed vi… | immigration.govt.nz |
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