Let’s keep you all up to date on what has been happening and what the current status is at the New Zealand border.
- General update
- Processing Times
- Update for suspension of Expression of Interest Pool & Temporary Work Visas for Offshore applicants
- Job Search Service for redundant Work to Residence visa holders
General Update
COVID-19 has been well contained to our current Managed Isolation facilities and there are no current community cases. This shows that the managed isolation of incoming people is working well and keeping New Zealand safe.
Currently borders are still restricted however allowing certain temporary entry class visa holders into New Zealand.
Currently critical purposes visas are for:
- partners of New Zealand citizens and residents,
- normally resident work visa holders &
- critical workers
Processing Time Frames
Immigration are back in full swing after reallocating some resources from other areas of the Immigration department to visa processing services. Onshore work visas are being processed within current time frames and we are seeing priority SMC processing having a good turnaround with approvals with applications being allocated generally within a 2-week period.
Non-priority queue for residence applications under SMC are currently allocating applications lodged in April 2019.
Suspension of Expression of Interest Draws & Offshore Visa Applications
As you will be aware from announcement made last Friday. Immigration New Zealand have suspended the Expression of Interest pool fortnightly draws until April 2021. This is to allow Immigration to focus on the current residence queue and re-allocate resources to make this happen.
Important to note:
- this does not affect any onshore temporary visas; and
- the Expression of Interest pool is still open for submissions
The Skilled Migrant EOI fortnightly selection is suspended but the pool remains open for submissions
Immigration New Zealand have advised that offshore visas processing for certain categories will remain suspended until Feb 2021 when this will be reviewed again.
Currently the following offshore temporary entry class visas applications are not affected by the suspension:
- relationship-based visas for partners and dependent children of New Zealand citizens and residents
- visas for diplomatic, consular and official staff and accompanying dependants
- Antarctic Traveller Visitor visas and Antarctic Work visas
- Recognised Seasonal Employer (RSE) Limited visas.
However, with a timeframe in place, we can all use this time to get ready for the eventuality that the border restrictions in New Zealand will ease and a wider range of visas can be applied for.
We do understand that this is frustrating for many people wanting to migrate to New Zealand or join their loved ones here. We remain positive here at New Zealand Shores that as tracking as well as New Zealand is with containing COVID 19 within managed isolation, border restrictions will keep easing, and you will all have your opportunity to come to New Zealand in 2021.
Contact us to commence work on your documentation
Job Search Service for certain redundant work visa holders
On a positive note, Immigration New Zealand have released a new initiative for job search services for skilled migrants which is a skills matching and job search service to migrants in New Zealand who may have lost their jobs due to COVID 19. This service has been extended from residence visa holders to work to residence visa holders who have been made redundant and are looking for employment.
We at New Zealand Shores all hope that you have a great weekend and please get in contact with us if you have any questions.
Take care, Rachel
