Changes to your circumstances
If your personal situation has changed since your current visa application was approved, it is important to let us know as soon as possible and take immediate action. A change in circumstance may affect the visa you have, and there may be different pathways available to you depending on your new situation.
Temporary visas such as work, student or visitor visas are granted with conditions telling you what you are allowed to do while you are on this particular visa. These conditions can be things like working in a particular job or studying at a particular education provider.
Change in circumstance
A change of circumstance is when something important in your life has changed which may have a direct link or impact to your current visa conditions.
Generally, this change is substantial in nature and requires modification of your visa conditions or requires a completely new visa. You are required to address this urgently as you may be in breach of your visa conditions and may be subject to further consequences.
Examples of changes that can impact your visa conditions include:
- termination of employment
- partnership breakdown
- termination of enrolment (students), or
- declined visa applications.
Or your change of circumstances could include:
- declined visa requests (s61), or
- travel arrangements to leave the country after a declined application.
If you have an AEWV
Some work visas come with conditions or rules about your employment. For people who have an Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV), you may have conditions that limit:
- the job you are doing
- the employer you work for
- the location of your job, or
- any combination of these.
A change of circumstance is an agreement that has been put in place where the client or Employer notify us if changes have occurred which affect your current visa conditions. We expect employers to take their responsibilities seriously and comply with all AEWV conditions. There are penalties for employers who do not comply with employment or immigration law.
Meeting your AEWV accredited employer requirements
Find out if you can change these conditions or apply for a Job Change.
Check or change your work visa conditions
What to do if your circumstances change
Any visa you hold must fit your current circumstances. If your visa conditions no longer match your circumstances, you may apply to change your conditions. We call this a variation of conditions. However, in some situations, you may need to apply for a new visa instead.
Depending on what has happened, you may be able to:
Apply for a Variation of Condition application or Job Change: If the conditions of your visa no longer suit your situation, you may be able to apply to change your conditions. Find out if you can change these conditions or apply for a job change.
Check or change your work visa conditions
Submit a new application: In some cases, applying for a new visa application may be more appropriate, particularly if your eligibility under your current visa type has significantly changed.
Depart New Zealand: If you no longer meet the requirements to stay, or if your circumstances mean continuing is not possible, you may need to depart New Zealand. Your visa will be cancelled when you depart.
Courtesy call from us
You may receive a courtesy call from us to discuss your situation and the next steps. These calls are intended to make sure you understand your options and help point you towards information which is relevant to your situation.
What you should do
- Let us know about any changes as soon as possible.
- Gather relevant documents and supporting evidence that support your new situation.
- Be prepared to map out your plans and what options you wish to pursue.
- Contact us if you have any questions.