Immigration answer
What happens if my current visa expires while INZ is deciding my new application?
If a temporary visa is going to expire while a new temporary visa application is being decided, INZ says it will normally issue an Interim Visa so the person can stay lawfully in New Zealand. The conditions on that Interim Visa depend on the previous visa and the visa being applied for.
Answer
The important point is not just "will I get an interim visa?" It is whether the new application was made before expiry, what visa is being applied for, and what the interim conditions allow while INZ is deciding the application.
Apply before the current visa expires
INZ public guidance says a person must apply for a new visa before their current visa expires if they need to stay longer. Once the current visa has already expired, the situation is different and can become urgent.
Interim visa conditions are not one-size-fits-all
INZ says Interim Visa conditions depend on the type of visa previously held and the type of visa being applied for next. That means work, study and travel rights should be checked against the actual interim visa conditions.
Residence applications can be different
Some residence pathways have special interim visa settings. For example, INZ describes a Skilled Migrant Category Interim Visa that can last up to 24 months and has restrictions that may be different from a normal temporary visa.
An expired visa is a different problem
If a visa has already expired, INZ says the person is in New Zealand unlawfully. That is not the same as waiting on an interim visa, and the official guidance should be checked immediately.
What to check next
- Do not assume an interim visa allows work, study or travel just because it allows a person to stay lawfully.
- Check the exact visa expiry date, application submission date and interim visa conditions.
- If a visa has expired or expiry is very close, treat the question as urgent and use official guidance or qualified help.
Sources for this answer
Public information is explained in plain English, with links back to the official or public sources used for this answer.
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