Visa processing update  

From next week, some staff will be in most of Immigration New Zealand’s offices receiving and processing priority temporary visa application categories. Please expect some delays. 

We are redirecting mail to offices outside the Auckland region to ensure applications can be lodged.   

Expect further information next week about the prioritisation of paper visa application categories. 

Most of our staff continue to work remotely and are focusing on processing online applications. We strongly encourage applicants to use online channels where available. 

New Variation of Conditions form online 

Work visa holders can now apply online for a Variation of Conditions of their visa - staff will be able to process these requests when working remotely. 

Changing work visa conditions | Immigration New Zealand 

A new application can be submitted online now for VOC paper applications sent before the Alert Level 4 nationwide lockdown that have not been acknowledged with an email, and those sent after. They will be returned when staff become available. No fees will be charged for those paper applications.   

We will be in contact with applicants when paper applications for a variation of work visa conditions that have been lodged and accepted for processing are allocated to an immigration officer. 

Travel conditions extension for resident visa holders overseas on 22 August 2021 

The Minister of Immigration has extended to 11 September 2022 the travel conditions of resident visas set to expire between 25 August 2021 and 10 September 2022. 

Resident visa holders overseas must be eligible for an exemption from border restrictions before they can travel to New Zealand: 

Entry to New Zealand | Immigration New Zealand