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Immigration Act 2009

Repeals, transitional provisions, saving provisions, and related matters - Transitional and savings provisions - Existing visas and permits

416: Returning resident's visa held by New Zealand citizen under former Act indication of entitlement

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“Old visa still proves New Zealand citizenship for travel and entry”

If you are a New Zealand citizen and you have a returning resident’s visa in your passport from the old Immigration Act, an immigration officer can use this as proof that you can travel to and enter New Zealand as a citizen. This is true even though there’s a new rule in section 404 of the current Immigration Act. The officer can accept your returning resident’s visa as valid until your passport expires.

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View the original legislation for this page at https://legislation.govt.nz/act/public/1986/0120/latest/link.aspx?id=DLM1441363.

Topics:
Immigration and citizenship > Visas
Immigration and citizenship > Border control
Government and voting > Government departments
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415: Holder of visa or permit under former Act deemed to be holder of visa and (if applicable) granted entry permission under this Act, or

“Old visas and permits convert to similar visas under new immigration law”

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417: Persons exempt from holding permit under former Act deemed to be holders of temporary visa or resident visa, or

“People who didn't need permits under old rules now have temporary or resident visas”

Part 12 Repeals, transitional provisions, saving provisions, and related matters
Transitional and savings provisions: Existing visas and permits

416Returning resident's visa held by New Zealand citizen under former Act indication of entitlement

  1. Despite section 404 of this Act, an immigration officer may treat a returning resident's visa (within the meaning of section 2(1) of the former Act) held by a New Zealand citizen as an indication that the person is entitled to travel and enter New Zealand as a New Zealand citizen until the expiry of the passport in which the visa is endorsed.