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Immigration Act 2009

Visas - Visas generally - General rules relating to visas

61A: Grant of visa to individual

You could also call this:

"When the Minister can give you a visa to come to or stay in New Zealand"

Illustration for Immigration Act 2009

The Minister can grant a visa to you at any time. You can get a visa if you are outside New Zealand or if you are in New Zealand with a temporary entry class visa. The Minister can grant a visa even if it goes against immigration instructions.

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View the original legislation for this page at https://legislation.govt.nz/act/public/1986/0120/latest/link.aspx?id=LMS1560943.

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Immigration and citizenship > Visas
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Part 3Visas
Visas generally: General rules relating to visas

61AGrant of visa to individual

  1. The Minister may at any time, of the Minister’s own volition, grant a visa of any type to a person who—

  2. is outside New Zealand; or
    1. is in New Zealand and holds a temporary entry class visa.

      1. A visa may be granted under subsection (1) even if the grant is contrary to immigration instructions.

      2. A decision to grant a visa under subsection (1) is in the Minister’s absolute discretion.

      Notes
      • Section 61A: inserted, on , by section 11 of the Immigration (Fiscal Sustainability and System Integrity) Amendment Act 2025 (2025 No 75).