How to get a temporary visa decision reviewed
If we decline your application for a temporary visa to visit, work or study in New Zealand in some cases you can ask us to reconsider our decision.
Before we consider your application again
If your application for a work, student or visitor visa was declined, you can only ask us to consider it again if:
- you are in New Zealand when you make your request
- you still hold a valid visa — this could be an Interim Visa, and
- we receive your request no more than 14 calendar days after you received our decision to decline your visa.
If we did not consider new information about a change in your circumstances since your visa decision was made and you now think you meet the visa criteria, you should make a new application.
How to make a request
If you applied for a visitor visa using enhanced Immigration Online you may be able to apply for a reconsideration online — the notification we send you will tell you if you can.
You need to make all other requests in writing
If you applied for a visa on paper or using a different online system you need to write to us and ask us to reconsider our decision. Send us:
- a letter written in English, with your signature explaining everything you want us to consider, and
- any supporting evidence.
Also send us your:
- passport or certificate of identity, and
- credit card details to pay the fee, including the:
- card number
- expiry date of the card
- name of the cardholder, and
- signature of the cardholder.
Before you send us your request, check how much it costs, where to send it, and how long it will take. Search for 'Reconsideration of a declined visa'.
Fees, decision times and where to apply
How we process your request
We review your visa application and look at any further information you provide. The review is not done by the immigration officer who declined your original application.
If our first decision was wrong we will grant you a visa. If our first decision was correct, you will not be granted a visa.
If your visa expires while you are waiting for a decision
Asking us to review our decision about a visa application does not stop your current visa expiring. You are breaking the law if you stay in New Zealand without a valid visa, but we will not deport you if we are still reviewing our decision about your application.
Deportation liability and appeal rights
If we confirm our decision to decline your visa
You cannot ask us to consider our decision again.
If you have a valid visa you can submit an application for any visa that fits the purpose of your stay in New Zealand. If your visa has expired you must leave New Zealand.