Monday, 28 February 2011

Students outside of New Zealand

Will I be charged an application fee by Immigration New Zealand if I have to apply for a Variation of Conditions/new visa because of the earthquake?

No – the fee for a variation of conditions will be waived.

 

I have been issued a visa to attend an education provider in Christchurch and have not yet travelled to New Zealand. I want to travel to New Zealand once the education provider is operating again.

You may still use any visa you have been issued.  We recommend that from Monday 28 February 2011, you try to make contact with your provider in Christchurch to see  when they are likely to re-open.

 

If I defer my travel plans, which results in requiring a new visa with amended travel dates, do I have to pay the application fee and/or complete a new application form, provide evidence of funds and passport details?

You will not be required to pay a new fee and we will use your previous application form.

 

I have had a visa issued to attend an education provider in Christchurch but have not yet travelled to New Zealand. I want to change the location of my study, but remain with the same provider (i.e a different campus).  

Please approach your closest Immigration New Zealand branch for a new visa label, with confirmation from the provider regarding your offer of place and any associated tuition fees. There will be no fee for the change of visa.

 

I have had a visa issued to attend an education provider in Christchurch but have not yet travelled to New Zealand.  I want to change the location of my study to attend a different provider. What can I do?

There will be no visa fees for this. Please approach your closest Immigration New Zealand branch and submit an application with a new offer of place from the new provider and provide a receipt of tuition fees (or confirmation from the new provider that confirms tuition fees are paid or will be paid in due course).  If there are significant differences in the new course being applied for, the application may take some time.

 

Students already in New Zealand

Will I be charged an application fee by Immigration New Zealand if I have to apply for a Variation of Conditions/new visa because of the earthquake?

No – fees will be waived.

 

I am a foreign national who is considered a “domestic” student and I have an application lodged at the Christchurch branch, but do not know if my application has been approved.  I now do not hold a visa and am wondering what I can do.

Since 7 February if you were lawfully in New Zealand when you lodged your student application in Christchurch branch, and your visa is expiring/has expired, you will be automatically issued an interim student visa  valid for six months, or until your substantive student visa applications had been decided – whatever date is earlier. 

 

See our news item.

 

The interim student visa has the same conditions as an 'open' student visa. This means you may undertake any course of study in New Zealand.  The interim letter will be emailed to you if we have an email address, or if not then a letter will be sent. Given the disruption to mail services in Christchurch this may take some time to arrive. You are able to contact the Immigration Contact Centre on 0508 55 88 55 to enquire about your status.

 

I am a full fee paying international student and have an application lodged at the Palmerston North branch to attend an education provider in Christchurch. I want to change providers and move to another location.

You may do so.  Please call 0508 55 88 55 or, if you can, contact your visa officer at the  Palmerston North branch to discuss your situation. You will need to submit a new offer of place from the new provider and provide a receipt of tuition fees (or confirmation from the new provider that confirms tuition fees are paid or will be paid in due course). 

 

I am a full fee paying international student and have an application lodged at the Palmerston North branch to attend an education provider in Christchurch and I want to leave New Zealand.

Please call INZ on 0508 55 88 55 and we will make arrangements to return your passport to you.

 

I am in Christchurch and have a valid student visa that is due to expire on 31 March 2011. What can I do?

If you wish to continue studying and have sourced a provider, send your application to the Palmerston North branch (or if your provider is a Students Online provider please talk to them).

 

If you want to apply for a visitor visa, send your application to the Northern Documentation Branch in Auckland at the following address:

 

Immigration New Zealand
PO Box 76895
Auckland Mail Centre
Auckland 2241.

If you are unable to mail an application, please call us on 0508 55 88 55 to discuss options.

 

If I have a student visa and it is valid beyond 31 March and I can’t study because of the earthquake what do I do?

You do not need to apply for a new visa at this time. However, if you want to start working for a different employer or studying at a different educational institute to the one specified on your visa you will need to get a variation of conditions or a new visa.

 

All of the documents I am required to submit my visa application, are missing in Christchurch and my visa is due to expire on 31 March 2011.  How do I remain lawfully in New Zealand?

Immigration New Zealand is looking at the option of issuing an interim visa to all people in your situation to ensure you remain lawfully in New Zealand while you decide what you wish to do.  If your passport is lost, approach your Embassy or Consulate and report it lost.  If you want to apply for a student visa to remain in New Zealand, send an application for a student visa to the Palmerston North branch and provide all documentation you have available and a short letter outlining your situation.

 

If you want to apply for a visitor visa, send your application to the Northern Documentation Branch in Auckland
 

Immigration New Zealand
PO Box 76895
Auckland Mail Centre
Auckland 2241

 

and provide all of the required documentation you have available and a short letter outlining your situation.

 

I have a valid visa to study in Christchurch and I have already moved to another education provider elsewhere in New Zealand which I will stay at permanently. What should I do?

Please apply for a Variation of Conditions to your student visa as soon as possible, unless your visa is expiring within the next 30 days. There will be no immigration fees for this.  Please do contact us to let us know that you have moved – 0508 55 88 55.

 

I have a valid student visa to study with a provider in Christchurch. Due to the earthquake I have temporarily moved to another provider. I am not sure what my plans are. I don’t know whether I will return to my initial provider in Christchurch or stay in the new one. Do I need to get a variation of conditions?

You can study at the temporary provider for up to three months while you make up your mind. No Variation of Conditions (VoC) is required. Immigration instructions allow for an individual with a valid temporary visa to undertake one or more courses of up to 3 calendar months in any 12 month period (or a term at school) without having to obtain a VoC. This includes those on a student visa. If you want to study with the new provider for more than 3 months, please apply for a VoC or new student visa (if required).

 

Other Information

Will I be charged an application fee by Immigration New Zealand if I have to apply for a Variation of Conditions/new visa because of the earthquake?

No – these fees will be waived.

 

How do I find out if my course is still happening?

Contact your education provider when you can, but keep in mind that Christchurch in the middle of a disaster and you may not receive a fast answer. There are still issues with power supply, and many computer and record systems have been destroyed. Many staff members from your education provider have their own personal matters to attend to also.  So please be patient.

 

Please make sure that you let us know your current contact details – call 0508 55 88 55.