The New Zealand Government has announced that we are moving to Alert Level 4 at 11.59pm today (25 March 2020). This means that people are instructed to stay at home and all businesses except essential services and lifeline utilities must close. We are required to close our visa processing offices in New Zealand. This significantly reduces our ability to operate, so we are only able to process a small number of priority applications. This is a rapidly-evolving situation and we are currently working through our alternative working arrangements. More information about this will be available on our website soon.

The Government has also issued an epidemic management notice that comes into effect on Thursday 2 April 2020.

We know there are people currently in New Zealand who are unable to leave because of travel restrictions around the world. We hope that today’s announcement helps people understand the visa options during this uncertain time.

The epidemic management notice means all temporary entry class visas can be extended for people who are currently in New Zealand. This includes:

• temporary work visa holders 
• student visa holders
• visitor visa holders
• interim visa holders, and
• limited visa holders.

We are sympathetic to individuals who are currently in New Zealand and unable to return to their home country at this time.  

 The Government has decided that for a time-limited period people who meet certain requirements will be able to transit New Zealand. The details and conditions for transit are on our website.

Please note these are subject to change and may be impacted by changing flight schedules. 

Travellers are not required to register transit intentions. However they must contact their airlines and other travel providers for the most up-to-date information about flight availability, transit and entry eligibility for areas affected by border measures.

Exceptions to the border closure can be made on a case-by-case basis by Immigration New Zealand for:

• humanitarian reasons
• health and other essential workers
• citizens of Samoa and Tonga for essential travel to New Zealand

If travellers have a valid New Zealand visa and think they may be eligible for an exception, they can contact their airline.

No other foreign traveller can enter New Zealand. Returning residents and citizens must isolate themselves for 14 days upon arrival.

New Zealand citizens from Tokelau, Cook Islands and Niue travelling to New Zealand must isolate themselves for 14 days upon arrival.

Travellers to the Pacific Islands must meet the entry requirements of the country they are travelling to. Check flight availability and entry requirements before starting your journey. Health Officers are screening travellers from New Zealand to the Pacific Islands. Airlines will not allow any passenger with COVID-19 symptoms to board.

Health Officers are screening all travellers arriving in New Zealand. Travellers deemed high risk will be assessed.

Warning: Travellers must obey self-isolation rules and any other government health measures

All INZ’s overseas and on-shore offices are now closed to the escalation to Alert Level 3 and 4. Reduced staff in New Zeland are prioritising urgent tasks relating to COVID-19 and other health matters. No other visa application can be processed at this time. 

We are currently receiving a significant number of calls and emails. 

Our website is the best place for up-to-date immigration-related information. We are updating this regularly. 

Urgent immigration queries only:

+64 9 952 1679 | outside New Zealand
0508 225 288 | within New Zealand