Section 61 Request

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If you are in New Zealand and unfortunately, your visa has expired, 

 

You can:

• leave the country immediately, or

• make a request for a special temporary or resident visa under Section 61 of the Immigration Act, but only if you believe you have a special case.

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Requests under Section 61 are only granted in some cases. 

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Contact us if you are stuck in this situation. 

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THINGS TO NOTE: 

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You are not allowed to stay after your visa expires.You can find the date your visa expires in your passport or the eVisa letter. You must leave New Zealand on or before this date.

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You are breaking the law if you stay after your visa expires. You:

• cannot work or study, and will have to pay for your health care

• may not be able to come back to New Zealand again if you are here without a visa for 42 days or longer

• risk being detained or deported.
   

Your actions can also affect other people. For example, if family members or other people help you to stay in New Zealand they:

• commit an offence under the Immigration Act, and

• may put their own immigration status at risk.
   

The longer you stay after your visa expires, the greater the risk you run of being deported and of not being able to return to New Zealand in the future.

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