New Zealand interim visa introduced

New Zealand, 8th February: The New Zealand immigration department has introduced New Zealand interim visa for foreign students, visitors and workers seeking extension of their stay in the nation.

This visa was introduced on 7th February in accordance with the rules of the Immigration Act 2009 and will enable all immigrants possessing a valid New Zealand temporary visa and wishing to live in New Zealand for a further period.

ivWho is eligible for an Interim New Zealand visa? ---

Giving details about the new interim visa for New Zealand, Jonathan Coleman, the New Zealand immigration minister said that the new interim visas are for those who have already applied for a further temporary visa to live in New Zealand.

Beneficial for international students---

The new interim New Zealand visa will be highly beneficial for international students in New Zealand awaiting the renewal of their visas and will help them to continue their studies in New Zealand. Such visas will help in streamlining the process of enrolment of international students and will bring a big boost to the $2 billion education sector of the nation, added Coleman.

Out of around 94,000 applications approved by Immigration New Zealand in the year 2009-10, a total of 65,500 were of full fee-paying foreign students.

In addition, the validity period of medical and police certificates has also been extended to three years from the current two years.

Interim visa through electronic means---

In majority of the cases, an interim New Zealand visa will be issued by electronic means and hence, the passport of the concerned person will not have any visa label placed on it. Notification about the interim visa will be provided either by a letter or by an email.

Validity of the interim visa--- An interim visa will remain valid until the decision about the application for a temporary visa of the concerned person has been made subject to a maximum period of six months.

No paper form or fee for interim visa— An individual wanting to apply for an interim visa will not be required to fill in a form or pay any fees.

Not meant for travel— An interim visa is not meant to be used for travel, i.e., if an interim visa holder leaves New Zealand, then his visa will expire automatically.