Limited Purpose Policy

What Is A Limited Purpose Visa?

A Limited Purpose Visa is and endorsement in your passport to facilitate the entry of visitors and students who choose to enter New Zealand for an 'express purpose' only, and:

• who would not normally be accepted for temporary entry because of a risk that they may remain in New Zealand after their temporary permit expires; or

• who choose the Limited Purpose Visa as their preferred method of entry.

A Limited Purpose Permit is an endorsement in your passport that allows you to stay in New Zealand for an 'express purpose'.

An express purpose includes the following:

• study as a full fee paying student (generally only for short courses); or

• attending an event such as a wedding, funeral, conference, seminar, graduation or other significant ceremony, sports tournament, match or religious event; or

• medical treatment in New Zealand; or

• family emergencies such as illness or accident affecting a family member or relative of the applicant in New Zealand; or

• a 'milestone' event such as an anniversary or reunion; or

• any other specific purposes other than employment where the circumstances justify issuing a Limited Purpose Visa.

• Note: Limited Purpose Visas granted for job search purposes will not be extended to allow additional time for a job search, however Limited Purpose Visa holders can have their residence issued in New Zealand if the job offer is acceptable and their residence applicationis approved.

The Limited Purpose Permit is subject to the following restrictions:

• you must leave New Zealand no later than the expiry date of their permit; and

• you can not apply for a different kind of permit while in New Zealand; and

• you can not request a special direction or a permit under section 35A of the Immigration Act 1987; and

• you do not have any appeal rights.

You will not need a Limited Purpose Visa or Permit to visit New Zealand if you are a:

• New Zealand citizen or residence permit holder; or

• citizen or resident of Australia, and hold a current Australian resident return visa; or

• person from those countries who are exempt from having to hold a permit to be in New Zealand; or

• person who already holds a temporary visa or permit; or

• person from those countries with a visa waiver agreement with New Zealand

You can apply for a Limited Purpose Visa when you are outside New Zealand and need a Limited Purpose Visa to travel to New Zealand for an 'express purpose'.

You will need to understand the restrictions on immigration rights once in New Zealand that holding a Limited Purpose Permit involves.
* Note : if invited to do so by NZIS for job search under the General Skills provisions.

When you travel to New Zealand on a Limited Purpose Visa, you will apply for a Limited Purpose Permit. The arrival card completed upon entry to New Zealand is an application for a Limited Purpose Permit.

Existing Limited Purpose Permits can be extended if there was insufficient time to complete the 'express purpose' stated in that permit.

Limited Purpose Permit and Limited Purpose Visa requirements are in the form Application for Visiting in New Zealand, under the heading "The Guide for Limited Purpose".

If the 'express purpose' is to study in New Zealand, requirements are in the form Application for Studying in New Zealand, under the heading "The Guide for Limited Purpose".

You can stay for the period of time required to achieve an 'express purpose'. This will vary according to the particular circumstance of the 'express purpose'.

For this reason there is no defined maximum period for the currency of Limited Purpose Visas and Permits.

You can be refused a visa or permit if:

• You are not of an acceptable standard of health and character; or

• You are likely to remain in New Zealand unlawfully or likely to breach the conditions of their permit; or

• You are subject to section 7 of the Immigration Act 1987 and do not have an exemption

You can get more information from:

Back to New Zealand index...