Breaking – Visitor Visas Extended + new Covid-19 short term visa
Minister for Immigration the Hon Kris Faafoi has made an announcement regarding temporary visa holders.
The big news is:
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Visitor Visas due to expire by 31 October 2020 will have their visa automatically extended for five months from their date of expiry.
For example. If your visitor visa expires on 28 September 2020 for example, your Visitor Visa will now expire on 28 February 2021.
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Temporary visa holders (partner, student, work) unable to leave due to travel restrictions will be able to apply for a two month Covid-19 Short term visa.
If you are at the end of your partner, student or work visa and you are not entitled to apply for another visa you may be elligible for the new Covid-19 short term Visa.
As per the words of the Minister –
“To be eligible for the Covid-19 short-term visitor visa, Immigration New Zealand must be satisfied visitor visa holders are genuinely unable to leave New Zealand as a result of Covid-19, they are intending to depart, and they meet normal good character requirements.”
“However, temporary migrants who choose to apply for the Covid-19 short-term visitor visa will not need to meet other usual visitor visa requirements, such as demonstrating that they have enough money to support their stay, having existing onward travel arrangements, or that they’ve met time limits for their stay in New Zealand,“.
Source: https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/political/425240/covid-19-visa-extensions-allow-visitors-migrants-more-time
If you are concerned or are unsure how this affects you, please contact Idesi Legal for assistance.
