Due to COVID-19, there have been a lot of delays and disruption to visa processing, and those changes have caused significant confusion amongst migrants. So, in this article, we’re outlining the best course of action and suggested focus for common visa types and scenarios – so that you know exactly where you stand, what you should be aware of, and what you should be doing.
Immigration News Category
News
Updates on the current situation of NZ immigration policies, practices and visa changes
Understanding the priority of visa applications On 17 April, Immigration New Zealand’s workflow priorities had to make some big shifts to align with emergency legislation around COVID-19. Like many organisations, first and foremost INZ had to work around some stark realities – you can’t process paper-based applications if you can’t go to the office. So, … Continue reading Visa priority processing new criteria explained
On Wednesday 1 April 2020 Immigration New Zealand announced new criteria to allow migrants to apply for a visa to enter New Zealand. Leading immigration lawyer Aaron Martin explains the ramifications for potential applicants and their families.
The Immigration New Zealand website is stating that everyone who has a visa (including interim and Limited Visas) is due to expire between now and 1 April needs to immediately apply for a new visa using the online system. Read our blog for more information.
“It’s still very unclear what the specific restrictions means to some visa holders, so I have been in contact with Immigration New Zealand to try and resolve this situation. They are still resolving some of the terms themselves; but as of today, I’m updating the information that I’m aware of and giving my advice to people concerned on whether they’ll be allowed to travel to New Zealand or not.
People may currently be unable to leave the country due to restricted airline services, other countries preventing arrivals, and a deteriorating position internationally. What does this mean for those who are here on temporary visas? There is an option that the government can utilise that we outline in this article.
We need to consider the impact of this crisis on migrant workers and think about what provision we can make to protect our skilled labour pool into the future.
Potential migrants to New Zealand should act fast to apply for visas as New Zealand closes its borders to migrants from countries with outbreaks of the deadly COVID-19 virus. All foreigners who have been in or transited through affected countries 14 days prior to departing for New Zealand will be denied boarding or refused entry into New Zealand. Read more about how this will impact visa applications.
Immigration New Zealand has announced that it is once again increasing the Income thresholds under the Essential Skills work visa category on 24 February 2020.
These changes will affect anyone applying for an essential skills visa from today and anyone who’s essential skills visa is expiring within the next 4 months.
The changes will not affect your current visa, but they may affect your application for a further visa.
If you are already working in NZ and think you might want to stay in New Zealand long-term, the Work to Residence Visa might be just the ticket. Our comprehensive Work to Residence Visa guide covers everything you need to know before you make your application
On the 19th of December 2019 Ian Lees-Galloway announced an increase to the remuneration thresholds for work and residence visas. This is yet another hurdle that has been placed in front of the hard-working migrants who are seeking to make a long-term commitment to New Zealand. Read more about how this will impact migrants.
The changes to the culturally arranged marriage visa category deal with part of the problem: the part where one of the parties to the relationship is a New Zealand citizen or resident.They don’t provide any benefit for people who are on a work visa or a student visa who have a marriage arranged in accordance with their customs. read more about the flaws in the new visa category.
