Transferring a visa to a new passport
If you have renewed your passport, you need to transfer your new visa into your new passport before you use it to travel. This applies for both physical visa labels and eVisas.
Visas that are issued by letter are known as eVisas. Visa labels are physical labels for your passport. Both are recorded against your passport in our system.
We recommend you request an eVisa, as this is the quickest way to transfer your visa to your new passport and there is no application fee. You can do this online.
You must inform us if you get a new passport issued so that your records can be updated and you can travel to and from New Zealand.
Check our Fees, decision times and where to apply page to find out how long it takes to transfer your visa to a new passport.
Fees, decision times and where to apply
Note
There is no application fee for an eVisa. There is a fee for a visa label.
Transferring an eVisa
To request a transfer of your visa and get an eVisa, complete the application form and include:
- a copy of your new passport
- a copy of your old passport, if available.
If your name has changed in your new passport, you must upload evidence of your name change. Examples of evidence include a marriage certificate, new birth certificate or another name change document.
Application for transfer or confirmation of a visa
Skilled Migrant Category Interim Visa
If you have a Skilled Migrant Category Interim Visa, apply online using the Application for a transfer of a visa for Skilled Migrant Category Interim Visa holder form.
You must include:
- a copy of your new passport
- a copy of your old passport.
Apply to transfer your Skilled Migrant Category Interim Visa to a new passport form
See the section 'If you do not want to apply online' if you want to apply using the paper form.
Transferring a visa label
To request a transfer of your visa and get a visa label, complete the Application for Transfer or Confirmation of a Visa form and include:
- a copy of your new passport
- a copy of your old passport, if available.
After you have completed the online form and paid the fee, you must send your new passport with a copy of your application confirmation email to Immigration New Zealand. Further instructions will be provided to you after you have completed the online form.
Apply for a transfer or confirmation of a visa
Fees, decision times and where to apply
If you have a Skilled Migrant Category (SMC) Interim Visa you cannot get a visa label.
Once you have submitted your online application for a physical visa label, you must send your passport and a copy of your application confirmation email to us.
If you are in New Zealand
Send your passport to the following address:
Immigration New Zealand
DX Box: EP71514
20 Fairfax Avenue
Penrose
Auckland 1061
Once your visa transfer is completed, we will courier your passport back to you.
If you are outside of New Zealand
If you are applying from outside of New Zealand, you must include a pre-paid return courier bag when sending your passport. This is essential for us to return your passport to you once your visa transfer is complete. We strongly recommend using a courier service to send your passport to ensure secure and reliable delivery.
Send your passport and pre-paid return courier bag to:
Immigration New Zealand
DX Box: EP71514
20 Fairfax Avenue
Penrose
Auckland 1061
Once your visa transfer is completed, we will courier your passport back to you.
Applying for the balance of your visa
If your temporary visa was granted for a shorter length than requested because your passport was about to expire, you can apply for the balance of the visa to be transferred to your new passport.
The balance can be transferred as an eVisa or a visa label. If you want a visa label, you will need to send your passport to Immigration New Zealand and pay a fee.
To apply, complete the Application for Transfer or Confirmation of a Visa form and include:
- a copy of your new passport
- a copy of your old passport, if available
- the letter from Immigration New Zealand confirming your visa balance.
- your completed application form
- a certified copy of your new passport, if you are requesting an eVisa
- your new passport, if you are requesting a visa label
- a certified copy of your old passport, if available
- the processing fee, if you are requesting a visa label.
If your old passport was lost or stolen, upload or include a copy of a police report, showing that the loss was reported.
If your old passport was not returned to you with the new passport, provide a cover letter with your application to let us know.
If your old passport was damaged, upload a letter confirming this from your embassy or high commission.
If your name is different in your old passport, you will need to provide evidence of a name change — for example, a copy of your marriage certificate or a deed poll.
If more than 1 family member is requesting a visa transfer at the same time, a separate completed application form and a separate fee (if requesting a physical visa label) is required for each person requesting a transfer.
A resident or permanent resident visa cannot be transferred into a new foreign passport if you are now a New Zealand citizen. This is because a New Zealand citizen is not able to hold a visa under the Immigration Act 2009.
To use your foreign passport for travel and still be allowed to return to New Zealand as a citizen, request a New Zealand Citizen Endorsement in your foreign passport before you travel.
If you do not want to apply online or you cannot apply online, download and complete the Application for Transfer or Confirmation of a Visa (INZ1023) form.
You must send us:
If you have a Skilled Migrant Category Interim Visa you cannot request a visa label.