Updates September 22, 2022

Changes to Passport Requirements for New Zealand Temporary Visas

Immigration New Zealand (INZ) has received a huge volume of applications since the borders re-opened in July 2022 leading to delays in visa processing. INZ is taking steps to rectify this problem.

The requirement for most applicants to submit physical passports has been removed temporarily. Applicants are instead required to provide a high-quality scanned copy of their passport along with their application.

Despite the above, in some cases, an Immigration officer may request an applicant to submit the physical passport to their nearest Visa Application Centre (VAC) since it is required to process the application. This will be on a case-to-case basis.

INZ will monitor the effects of this change to ensure that this does not affect application processing and to see if this can be continued in the future.

Those applying for a group visitor visa or student visa through the Immigration Online platform will receive an automated letter requesting passport submission. However, this is currently not required and INZ is working on updating the letter to resolve this issue.

Get in touch with Immigration Advisors New Zealand Ltd, which provides up-to-date immigration information so you can consider opportunities and prepare yourself for the future. To know all the required procedures, contact us at contact@nzimmigration.info or call on +64 09 3790219.

Author Details

Vandana Rai

(LIA 201400900)

Director

Vandana is herself a migrant and has a rare set of skill match, which could be considered ideal for a Licensed Immigration Adviser. She was a school counsellor from 1996 to 2006, a role in which she was a natural fit due to her nurturing and caring personality. Her earnest journey as a fully Licensed Immigration Adviser for New Zealand began in 2014, and she considers herself blessed to have the background and the skills that allow her, as an Immigration adviser, to effortlessly visualise herself in her client’s situation, understand their needs and problems, and use her knowledge, experience, and expertise to help find a solution for it.

She is currently on the Board of New Zealand Association of Migration and Investment (NZAMI) and was part of the Immigration Advisers Authority(IAA) referral group for 2016.