Due to strict border controls, NZ Immigration cannot legally grant visas to people outside NZ who are unlikely to meet the entry requirements and therefore applications from most people cannot be granted.
The Minister of Immigration has recently agreed to lapse visa applications that cannot be approved due to the border restrictions. INZ will refund application fees and levies for applications being lapsed. INZ will also refund and return temporary visa applications received from people outside New Zealand after 10 August 2020, when offshore applications were suspended.
Applicants in New Zealand whose existing temporary visa was automatically extended by special direction will be contacted by INZ and can choose to withdraw or proceed with their application.
The affected visa applicants do not need to do anything. If they are eligible for a refund they will be contacted and they do not have to request a refund.