Plain language law

New Zealand law explained for everyone

Immigration Act 2009

Core provisions and matters in relation to decision making - Persons unlawfully in New Zealand

20: No right for person unlawfully in New Zealand to apply for visa

You could also call this:

“People in New Zealand without permission can't apply to stay, except with special approval”

If you are in New Zealand without permission, you can’t apply for a visa to stay. If you try to apply anyway, only the Minister can decide what happens. The Minister has complete control over this decision.

This text is automatically generated. It might be out of date or be missing some parts. Find out more about how we do this.

View the original legislation for this page at https://legislation.govt.nz/act/public/1986/0120/latest/link.aspx?id=DLM1440604.

Topics:
Immigration and citizenship > Visas
Immigration and citizenship > Border control
Government and voting > Government departments
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19: Duty of chief executive to communicate obligation to leave New Zealand, or

“Immigration chief must inform visitors about leaving New Zealand when visa expires”

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21: No right for person unlawfully in New Zealand to work or study, or

“People without permission to be in New Zealand can't work or study here”

Part 2 Core provisions and matters in relation to decision making
Persons unlawfully in New Zealand

20No right for person unlawfully in New Zealand to apply for visa

  1. No person who is unlawfully in New Zealand may apply for a visa and, where any such person purports to apply for a visa, it is a matter for the absolute discretion of the Minister.

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