Today, Minister Kris Faafoi announced TWO changes to visitor visa holders.
- visitor visas which expire on or before 31 March 2021 will be automatically extended by TWO months. However, the extension does not apply to visitors on the special covid-19 short term visitor visa.
- waiving the rules around the visitor visa policy where one can only stay a maximum of nine months in a 18 month period. These visitor visa holders can now apply for a further SIX month stay [15 months in total].
With the current flight restrictions, many visitors cannot leave New Zealand as they near the expiry of their visas.
This is welcome news for many Parents [Grandparents] visiting their New Zealand children [grandchildren] and wanting to stay longer as they are risk to the pandemic.
Read the rest of the announcement here.