2011-Nov 04: Granting visas with start dates in the future

Visa Pak 41 - Information about the ability to grant visas with start dates in the future and when this is appropriate.

Visa Paks

4 November 2011

Granting visas with start dates in the future 

Future dated visas

As provided for by the Immigration Act 2009, AMS now allows temporary entry class visas to be granted with a start date in the future. This allows INZ to grant a visa that does not start immediately, and can become active at a date in the future that may be more appropriate to the applicant’s circumstances. This is mainly an enabling function in AMS rather than something likely to be used frequently.

This functionality is generally only to be used offshore when granting limited visas (including RSE limited visas). Should there be other circumstances where a branch manager wishes to use it further then this should be discussed with Operations Support.

When to grant a limited visa with a future start date

Granting a limited visa starting in the future may be appropriate in order to limit the period in which high risk clients travel to New Zealand. In most cases limited visas will continue to be granted without future start dates, but in some circumstances this ability could be helpful, particularly where clients apply early for a specific event in the future.

For example, an Indian citizen couple are getting married in New Zealand, and both have large extended families in India they have invited to their wedding in April. In October, the Mumbai branch receives a large number of applications for visas to attend the wedding. By November, the branch has processed the applications and decided to grant some of these as limited visas only. Previously the branch would either have to grant the visas in November, allowing the holders to potentially travel immediately, or hold the applications until closer to the date of travel.

Now, the branch can grant the visas to start two weeks before the wedding. This helps ensure the holders will travel for the purpose the visa is granted for.

In the case of limited visas for RSE workers, entering a future start date makes it easier for branches to grant visas to allow arrival in New Zealand no earlier than 14 days in advance of the start of the work, in accordance with the instructions at WH1.15.20(a).

For example, if a group of RSE workers are starting work on 30 January, but the applications are submitted and processed before Christmas, the branch can grant future dated visas to start on 16 January in compliance with the instructions.