E3.11 Transfer of temporary visas

E3.11.1 Transfer of balance of temporary visas on expiry of passport

See also Immigration Act 2009 s 52(2)

1. Where a temporary visa is granted for a shorter currency than requested because an applicant’s passport is due to expire (E3.10a), the applicant must be informed in writing of the date the visa would have expired, had the passport remained valid.
2. Where a temporary visa is granted for a shorter currency to a dependent child/ren because their parent’s passport is due to expire (see E4.5), the dependent child/ren must also be informed in writing of the date the visa would have expired had the passport remained valid.
3. Where a temporary visa is granted for a shorter currency to a partner because their partner’s passport is due to expire (see WF3.1), the partner must also be informed in writing of the date the visa would have expired had the passport remained valid.
4. Once a new passport has been obtained, the visa holder (and any other applicants as described at E3.11(b) or (c)) should apply to have their visa transferred to the new passport and varied so the expiry date matches the intended currency of their visa as specified when the visa was originally granted, or if E3.10(b) applies, the visa can be transferred without varying the expiry date.
5. If applicable, each applicant must supply:
   1. a completed approved online or paper form for an Application for Transfer or Confirmation of a Visa including a copy of the letter from INZ confirming their visa balance (if available); and
   2. their current passport or certificate of identity (or a certified copy if applying using a paper form, or a scanned copy if applying online); and
   3. the expired passport or certificate of identity (or a certified copy if applying using a paper form, or a scanned copy if applying online), if available; and
   4. the appropriate fee (if any).
6. Despite E3.11.1(e)(ii), Immigration New Zealand may require an applicant to provide their original passport or certificate of identity if needed for a label endorsement or to confirm the applicant’s identity.

E3.11.5 Endorsement of a temporary visa in a passport or certificate of identity

See also Immigration (Visa, Entry Permission, and Related Matters) Regulations 2010, reg 32

1. Applicants applying to have their temporary visa endorsed in their passport or certificate of identity (to confirm immigration status or to transfer a visa to a new passport or certificate of identity) must make the application using the approved online or paper form for an Application for Transfer or Confirmation of a Visa including the appropriate fee (if any).
2. If using a paper form, the applicant must also provide:
   1. their current (original) passport or certificate of identity; and
   2. their previous passport or certificate of identity (or a certified copy), if available.
3. If using an online form, the applicant must also provide:
   1. a scanned copy of their current passport or certificate of identity when submitting the form; and
   2. a scanned copy of their previous passport or certificate of identity, if available; and
   3. their current (original) passport or certificate of identity (to be sent to Immigration New Zealand after form submission).
4. Where their previous passport or certificate of identity was lost, stolen or damaged, applicants should provide evidence that it has been reported to the New Zealand Police (if lost or stolen) and/or their embassy or high commission, if available.

E3.11.10 eVisa transfer

1. Applicants applying to transfer their visa to a new passport or certificate of identity may request an eVisa instead of a physical label. An eVisa is a visa issued without a physical visa label in a passport or certificate of identity. If granted an eVisa, a visa approval letter should be issued which includes the appropriate visa details.
2. Applicants must provide the documents listed at E3.11.5(a) to (d), except that they may provide:
   1. a certified copy of their passport or certificate of identity (instead of the original document required by E3.11.5(b)), if applying using a paper form; or
   2. a scanned copy of their passport or certificate of identity (instead of the original document required by E3.11.5(c)(iii)), if applying using an online form.
3. Despite E.3.11.10(b), Immigration New Zealand may require an applicant to provide their original passport or certificate of identity if needed to confirm the applicant’s identity.
4. No immigration fee or levy applies to replace a physical visa label with an eVisa or when transferring an eVisa from one passport or certificate of identity to another.

Effective 29/05/2023