2017-Feb 24: Visa expiry dates – First entry for offshore applicants

Visa Pak 299: Guidelines for staff about allowing sufficient time on a visa to allow offshore applicants to use the visa and enter New Zealand

Visa Paks

24 February 2017

Visa expiry dates – First entry for offshore applicants

It has come to our attention that visa expiry conditions are being applied inconsistently across Visa Services offices. This issue has been raised in regard to Post Study – Open (Graduate Job Search) work visas under WD2 instructions but is not limited solely to this section of instructions. Some offshore offices are not providing applicants sufficient time to travel to New Zealand. As a result, these applicants are not benefiting from the full validity of their visa in New Zealand.

Applicants should be given a first entry date to allow them time to travel to New Zealand. This is in line with advice issued previously. Applicants who are offshore should be given a reasonable time to enter New Zealand, and the visa expiry date should be from the date of first entry.