COVID UPDATES Archives - Page 3 of 7

Seasonal workers from Pacific Islands allowed into New Zealand from September

25/10/202103/08/2021

A much welcome announcement for the horticulture industry Seasonal workers from Sāmoa, Tonga and Vanuatu will be able to enter New Zealand from September without needing to go through the mandatory two-week managed quarantine and isolation. This announcement, a further sign that the Government is progressively easing border restrictions, is coming in response to concerns from fruit growers who are in desperate need of picking staff for the upcoming season. More information (NZ Herald “The move is aimed at addressing …

Longer Essential Skills visas, easier process for renewals

12/08/202116/07/2021

The Government has brought positive news for onshore migrants and New Zealand employers which will impact Essential Skills work visa applications from 19 July 2021. This is a temporary measure to alleviate skills shortages. This announcement is meant to ease employers’ concerns about labour shortages INZ website NZ Herald Maximum duration of Essential Skills work visas From 19 July 2021, the Government is extending the maximum duration of an Essential Skills work Visa for a job paid below the median …

Refunds for visa applications that cannot be processed

03/08/202107/07/2021

After many months of discussions on the process to follow, Immigration New Zealand is agreeing to refund visa application fees for temporary visa applications that cannot be processed due to New Zealand’s border restrictions. A much needed measure that will see thousands of people refunded their visa fees INZ website Applications to be lapsed or returned, and refunded If you applied for a temporary visa from offshore (outside New Zealand) before 10 August 2020 your application will be lapsed and …

New Border exemption for Teachers

19/01/202205/07/2021

Note: updated 19 January 2022 A new class of Approved Workers will see border exemptions granted for 300 overseas qualified teacher to enter New Zealand. Education Minister Chris Hipkins acknowledges a teacher shortage from the early childhood education level through to secondary school and highlights area that are deemed a priority for 2022 recruitment. More information (Radio NZ) Ministry of Education An exemption to fill the immediate gap While the Government has been pushing for more teachers to train, this …

Restrictions on offshore visa applications extended

03/08/202125/06/2021

Temporary visa applications from outside New Zealand (or outside a quarantine-free travel zone, also known as “travel bubble”) remain suspended, unless you are exempt. Most individuals who are outside New Zealand are prevented from submitting a temporary visa application, unless they meet the strict border exception criteria or are currently in a COVID-19 quarantine-free travel zone. This suspension of the normal offshore visa application process has been on hold since August 2020. The Government has extended the suspension to 6 …

Extension for Working Holiday visas and Supplementary Seasonal Employment visas

03/08/202111/06/2021

Update 11 June 2021 Are you currently in New Zealand on Working Holiday visa or a Seasonal Supplementary Employment (SSE) visa? You may qualify for an automated 6 months extension. This extension is automatic and there is no fee. More information (INZ website) Which visas are being automatically extended? Working Holiday visas Onshore Working Holiday visa holders whose visa expire between 21 June and 31 December 2021 will be extended for 6 months. Working Holiday visa holders may work in …

Auckland best city in the world to live in, a recent study finds

03/08/202110/06/2021

Auckland has been named the most liveable city in the world in 2021 by The Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU). As the global pandemic continues to affect the quality of life globally, New Zealand is thriving. More on CNBZ Over 1 year into the COVID-19 pandemic, its repercussions are still very much felt throughout the world. Yet, New Zealand’s response to the pandemic, by imposing severe restrictions on the country’s borders, has allowed life to go on as normal within the …

Further easing of border restrictions

03/08/202111/05/2021

We have had some positive news from the New Zealand government in response to the need for certain sectors of the economy to source skilled and critical workers from overseas. News (NZ Herald) More information (Beehive) The creation of a “Trans-Tasman” bubble means a quarantine-free travel area between Australia and New Zealand. As an estimated 40% of isolation spaces were occupied by travellers from Australia, the bubble has freed up availability for other travellers to come to New Zealand. This …

Travel Restrictions from very high risk countries

03/08/202129/04/2021

From 28th April 2021, only New Zealand citizens and their immediate family member can travel to New Zealand from Brazil, India, Pakistan and Papua New Guinea. More information (INZ website) These 4 countries have been designated as being ‘very high risk’ and arrival from these countries is being severely restricted as a result. If you are not a New Zealand citizen or immediate family travelling with them, you can enter New Zealand only if you have spent 14 days outside …

Border Restrictions eased to allow hundreds of families to be reunited

03/08/202119/04/2021

Update 19 April 2021 From 30th April 2021, hundreds of families will be able to reunite as border exemptions are widened to include offshore family members. This news will come as a relief for certain families who have been separated for over 1 year More information (INZ website) News article (NZ Herald) A welcome announcement Immigration Minister Kris Faafoi announced new border exemptions to allow hundreds of families to be reunited under new “Critical Purpose” criteria. Since New Zealand borders …