You need to apply for a second or subsequent resident visa if you are outside New Zealand and the travel conditions on your resident visa are no longer valid. Unless you obtain a second or subsequent resident visa, you will not be able to return to New Zealand as a resident.

Your eligibility for a second or subsequent resident visa depends on what you were eligible for on the day your resident visa expired. The date your resident visa expired is either:

• the date you left New Zealand, if your travel conditions have expired, or
• the date your travel conditions expire, if you are out of New Zealand on that day.

Previously eligible for a variation of travel conditions

If you were eligible for a variation of travel conditions on the day your resident visa expired, you can be granted a second or subsequent resident visa provided the travel conditions you would have been granted would still be valid. The second or subsequent resident visa will be granted with travel conditions valid until the same expiry date as the travel conditions you would have got on your previous resident visa, had you applied on the day it expired.

 

For example: On the day your resident visa expired, you were eligible for a 12-month variation to your travel conditions. You apply for a second or subsequent resident visa four months later. You are eligible for a second or subsequent resident visa with travel conditions valid for another eight months (taking you up to 12 months from the date the visa expired). 

 

You will need to provide any evidence required to show that you were previously eligible for a variation of travel conditions. See the variation of travel conditions requirements on for more information.

Previously eligible for a permanent resident visa

You may still be eligible for a permanent resident visa if your resident visa has expired, provided you apply within three months of the expiry of your resident visa. See the requirements to apply for a permanent resident visa for more information.

 

If more than three months have passed since the expiry of your resident visa, but you were eligible for a permanent resident visa on the date your resident visa expired, you may be eligible for a second or subsequent resident visa. In this situation, you can be granted a second or subsequent resident visa if you apply within two years of the expiry of your resident visa. The second or subsequent resident visa will be granted with travel conditions valid for two years from the expiry of the resident visa.

 

For example: On the day your resident visa expired, you were eligible for a permanent resident visa. You apply for a second or subsequent resident visa six months later. You are eligible for a second or subsequent resident visa with travel conditions valid for another 18 months (taking you up to 12 months from the date the visa expired).  

 

You will need to provide any evidence required to show that you were previously eligible for a permanent resident visa. See the permanent resident visa requirements for more information.

Special categories

Partners of New Zealand citizens

If your resident visa has expired and you are the partner of a New Zealand citizen, you may be granted a second or subsequent resident visa with travel conditions valid for two year. You must show that either:

• you were granted a resident visa under Partnership Category on the basis of your relationship with your New Zealand citizen partner and the relationship is ongoing, or
• you were granted a resident under a different residence category, and you can provide evidence that you have been living with your New Zealand citizen partner in a genuine and stable relationship for at least 12 months.

New Zealand residents seconded overseas

If your resident visa has expired  and you are seconded overseas as part of your New Zealand employment, you may be granted a further two years of travel conditions, up to a maximum of eight years.  Your application must be supported by your New Zealand employer confirming that:

• you are currently required overseas, and
• you were required overseas when your resident visa expired.

How do I go about applying for a variation of travel conditions?