V2.5 Length of permitted stay

V2.5.1 General visitors

1. Visitors to New Zealand are limited to a maximum stay on a visitor's permit of nine months unless they:
   1. are genuine tourists (see V2.5.10) who require no more than an additional three months to complete their itinerary, or
   2. are applying for a visitor's visa or permit under a special category of visitor's visa and permit policy which allows a longer stay in New Zealand; or
   3. cannot leave New Zealand because of circumstances beyond their control, or
   4. have lodged a first-time application for residence that has been accepted for consideration, and a decision is unlikely during the currency of their existing permit.

      Note: Such applicants may apply for and be granted a further three-month permit, allowing a maximum stay of 12 months. If a decision has not been made on the residence application while the further permit is current, the applicant must leave New Zealand when it expires, regardless of the status of the application or any appeals.

2. A visitor’s visa or permit should allow the applicant to stay in New Zealand for a total of no more than nine months in the 18-month period before the proposed expiry date of the permit.
3. Notwithstanding (b) above, an applicant who has been in New Zealand for 12 months on the basis of one of the exemptions at V2.5.1(a) above, must remain outside New Zealand for 12 months before a further application for a visitor’s visa or permit may be approved.
4. Notwithstanding (b) above, a visitor’s permit that is granted at the border to a person who is not required to apply for a visitor’s visa before travelling to New Zealand should allow the applicant to stay in New Zealand for a total of no more than six months in the 12-month period before the proposed expiry date of the permit.

V2.5.5 Special categories of visitors

1. The length of stay permitted under special categories of visitors is set out in V3.
2. Where a length of stay is not specified in V3, the provision at V2.5.1 applies.

V2.5.10 Definition of 'genuine tourist'

For the purposes of the provision on length of permitted stay at V2.5.1(a)(i) above, a genuine tourist is a visitor to New Zealand who:

1. is not working and has not worked in New Zealand, and
2. has not had a New Zealand student permit, and
3. is not sponsored, and
4. has sufficient funds for maintenance and accommodation.

Effective 04/05/2009