Key Points
- Closing of Visa Application Centres in Kiribati and Nauru on November 30, 2021
Overview
The Visa Application Centres (VACs) in Kiribati and Nauru will close on November 30, 2021. Beginning December 1, 2021, customers who previously submitted their visa application through these offices will be required to apply using Immigration Online or submit a physical application to their nearest VAC. Alternative VACs are located in Suva, Honiara, or Sydney. If submitting a physical application, applicants will be required to courier their completed application, along with their passport, to their nearest VAC. Applicants who apply online may still be required to submit their passports to their nearest VAC for scanning.
What’s Changed?
The VACs in Kiribati and Nauru will close on November 30, 2021. The New Zealand government announced that there is no intention to reopen these locations in the future. Any applications and passports must be filled with the VAC by 5:00 pm November 29, 2021, to ensure delivery to Immigration New Zealand.
Looking Ahead
The New Zealand government does not anticipate any impacts on processing timeliness or changes in application fees. There will be additional charges to courier the application or passport to the nearest VAC and back again. Applicants are encouraged to check with their local courier what the fees and timeframes are before submitting their application.
Sources: New Zealand Immigration
