Easing of restrictions for skilled workers In line with step 2 of the Government’s staged approach to reopening NZ borders, skilled workers offshore may now seek a border exemption and Critical Purpose visa, subject to a job offer in New Zealand. Questions? Contact us! New workers You will be deemed critical worker and qualify for a border exemption and Critical Purpose Visa if you are offered at least  1.5 times the median wage (NZD $84,240 a year or NZD $40.50 …

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Reopening of Working Holiday visa categories As part of the 5-step approach to reopening NZ borders, the Government is reopening uncapped Working Holiday schemes from 14 March 2022. On 14 March 2022, the following working holiday schemes will open to applicants from Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Netherlands, Norway, Sweden, United Kingdom, USA, Japan. All others will open on a rolling basis with all schemes to be reopened by 13 September 2022. Immigration New Zealand is also …

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Reconnecting New Zealand to the World (again) The Government has announced a new, five-step approach to reopen New Zealand borders to the world. Key to this process is the removal of Managed Isolation and Quarantine for most travellers. MIQ will be replaced with self-isolation and tests on-arrival. Note that mandatory MIQ will remain for unvaccinated travellers. This new plan prioritises the reopening of certain key visa categories in a short timeframe in order to address worker shortages. New Zealand’s unemployment …

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The NZ Government announces new border exceptions for up to 600 tech workers as well as external auditors and primary industry employees More information (Beehive) Newshub Specialist tech workers wanted A range of specialist tech workers will be able to request a border exception from early 2022, as part of a Government initiative to support the IT sector, one of the top three export industries in New Zealand, and growing. Eligible occupations include software and application programmers, ICT managers, ICT …

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Offshore residence applications reopened Residence applications received by Immigration New Zealand from offshore applicants received before, and after March 2020, had so far been kept on hold. Across all categories, this represents over 5,000 residence applications which processing was on hold due to border restrictions. A recent court case has ruled that there was no legal ground to halt processing of these applications. INZ website First time resident visa holders to be allowed in NZ In line with these decisions, …

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Note: updated 19 January 2022 Reconnecting New Zealand to the World The Government has announced several dates to map out the reopening of New Zealand borders to international travellers. With restrictions dramatically eased for New Zealand citizens initially, the first quarter of 2022 will see these steps progressively extended to all travellers from April 2022. The announcement also comes with a substantial easing of quarantine requirements, allowing a reduced period of isolation at  home rather than in managed facilities. Official …

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Since April 2021, only New Zealand citizens and their immediate family member could travel to New Zealand from Brazil, India, Pakistan and Papua New Guinea. More information (Beehive) Travellers from Indonesia, Fiji, India, Pakistan and Brazil The Government has announced that the Very High-Risk classification for Indonesia, Fiji, India, Pakistan and Brazil will be removed early December 2021. Since April 2021, only New citizens and their family could travel to New Zealand from one of these countries. Travellers from these …

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