New Zealand new visa application extended until February 2021

New Zealand has confirmed that processing visa outside of the country is still suspended. The restriction to the visas first introduced in August has now been extended until February 2021. Most of the visa processing offices outside of New Zealand remain closed. Students will not be able to apply for a visa outside the country unless they are granted an exception.

Immigration New Zealand states that the processing of visa applications from people outside cannot be granted to someone unlikely to enter New Zealand and that the situation will be reviewed in February.

A previously announced exception has allowed up to 250 international postgraduate students to return to New Zealand to complete their studies. Many students who have been issued visas already or student visa applicants who are outside New Zealand can study online without a visa. They are advised to contact their education provider.  

The higher education students are recommended to consider starting or continuing their studies online and keep updated by checking with their study provider. The Chief Executive of Education New Zealand said that new students are unlikely to start their studies in time for the semester one next year despite the promised review of border exceptions.

All international students shall be assured that the country values them, and they will be again able to come to the country when the situation changes with a warm welcome.

The above update on the visa situation was followed by an announcement by the Social Development and Employment Minister, Carmel Sepuloni, about a new Emergency Benefit for temporary visa holders, including students, who cannot return home and/or cannot support themselves during the pandemic. By this scheme, the government wants to ensure people eligible and most in need continue to get support with their basic needs while trying to return home as soon as possible if they cannot find suitable employment or finance and continue their studies.