Today, the government announced it is creating a new border exception category to enable:
a. the return of some temporary work visa holders who are overseas and have strong, ongoing links to New Zealand, and
b. reuniting New Zealanders with their loved ones.
Temporary work visa holders
To be considered for the new border exception and to demonstrate a strong and ongoing connection to New Zealand with realistic prospects of remaining here long-term, visa holders MUST:
- still hold their job in New Zealand, or continue to operate a business in New Zealand
- hold either a work to residence visa, or an essential skills visa that is not subject to the stand-down period, or an entrepreneur visa
- have departed New Zealand on or after 1 December 2019
- have lived in New Zealand for at least two years, or, if living in New Zealand for at least one year, have one of the following:
- an entrepreneur work visa and operating a business in New Zealand (and operated it before departing New Zealand)
- their dependent children with them in New Zealand (for at least six months)
- parents or adult siblings who are ordinarily resident in New Zealand
- submitted an application for residence by 31 July 2020
- have held a visa at the time of departing that does not expire before the end of 2020, or, if expiring before that date, have applied for a further visa by 10 August 2020.
See full announcement here.
Reuniting loved ones from visa waived countries
A good example on currently immigration policy gaps is where Australians citizens/permanent resident being left out of the Border Exemption process. Usually, these nationals can enter and live in New Zealand without having to apply for a visa.
There has also being consideration for those Partners from 61 visa waiver countries would normally need a visa to live here but could visit without having to hold a visa.
New Zealand is now in a position where we can make some adjustments to the immigration settings to allow a small number of people who, under normal circumstances would have the right to come to New Zealand without a visa.
Australians will be required to apply for a border exemption and then issued an automatic critical purpose visitor visa.
Those partners [nationals] from visa waived countries will have to apply for a border exemption and if granted a border exception, will be invited to apply for a six-month Critical Purpose Visitor visa.
See full announcement here.
Feel free to contact us on Admin@a2nz-immigration.com or call us on +64 0274214153