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Immigration Act 2009

Arrivals and departures - Special provision for emergencies, etc

122: Special provisions relating to persons returning to New Zealand in emergency or other circumstances beyond their control

You could also call this:

“Rules for re-entering New Zealand during emergencies or unexpected events”

If you have a temporary visa and leave New Zealand on a ship or plane, but you have to come back because of an emergency or something you can’t control, there are special rules to help you.

For example, if your plane has a problem and has to turn back, or if there’s another kind of emergency that makes you return to New Zealand before you get to another country, you can ask for help even if your visa has run out or is about to run out.

As long as your visa expired (or will expire) between when you left New Zealand and 14 days after you come back, you can ask an immigration officer for help. They will give you a new temporary visa and let you enter the country. This new visa will last for at least 14 days after you return.

Remember, this rule only applies if you follow the rules in sections 15 and 16 of the Immigration Act.

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View the original legislation for this page at https://legislation.govt.nz/act/public/1986/0120/latest/link.aspx?id=DLM1440771.

Topics:
Immigration and citizenship > Visas
Immigration and citizenship > Border control
Government and voting > Emergency management
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121: Persons deemed not to leave New Zealand in certain circumstances, or

“When you're forced to return to New Zealand before reaching another country”

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123: Protection for carriers, and persons in charge, of craft, or

“Legal protection for people in charge of vehicles when following immigration rules”

Part 4 Arrivals and departures
Special provision for emergencies, etc

122Special provisions relating to persons returning to New Zealand in emergency or other circumstances beyond their control

  1. Subject to sections 15 and 16, where the holder of a temporary entry class visa departs from New Zealand for another country on any craft and—

  2. before arriving in any other country is forced to return, or returns, to New Zealand by reason of any emergency affecting the craft, or because of any other emergency or circumstances beyond the person’s control; and
    1. the person’s visa has expired, or is due to expire, at any time between the person’s departure from New Zealand and the date 14 days after the person’s return to New Zealand,—

        1. an immigration officer must, on application by the person, grant him or her a temporary entry class visa (current until a date not earlier than the 14th day following that return) and entry permission.

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