The latest lockdown and change of Alerts levels in Auckland has expectedly generated some anxiety among temporary visa holders, both who are ordinarily living in New Zealand on a long-term basis and particularly who are visiting on a short-term basis.
The Indian Weekender had been approached by a number of such anxious temporary visa holders, specially those who were in the country at the time of the first lockdown in April when the government had extended different categories of visas, and believed that their visas will again be automatically extended on this occasion.
In this regard, here is the most updated info on visa situations as updated by the government’s Covid-19 all response team.
The government says that it remains sympathetic to individuals who are in New Zealand and unable to return home at the moment and following provisions are in place to help such people.
Your employer-assisted temporary work visa is extended by 6 months if you:
This includes employer-assisted temporary work visas that:
This extension does not apply to any partner or dependent child who holds a visa based on their relationship with you. Their expiry date will remain the same.
Your work, student, visitor, limited or interim visa was extended to 25 September 2020 if:
This extension was made under the original Epidemic Management Notice. A confirmation of this was emailed to all visa holders.
Certain visas have not been extended. This applies if your visa expires after 9 July and you have:
Your current visa expiry remains the same. You need to:
This includes partners or dependent children who hold a visa based on the relationship with an employer-assisted work visa.