Immigration NZ update - 12 June 2020

Immigration New Zealand has now received 14,901 expressions of interest (EOI) from people who believe they meet exceptions to the border closure. Of the 14,440 EOIs decided so far, 2,832 meet the criteria and have been invited to apply for a visa. 

Exceptions to the border closure
The Minister has announced changes to border exception criteria that come into effect next week.
The changes include:  

• Partners and dependants of New Zealand citizens and residents who are ordinarily resident in New Zealand or hold a visa on the basis of their relationship will no longer need to travel with their New Zealand citizen or resident family member to be granted an exception
• A new maritime exception which will allow entry to those arriving by sea where there is a compelling need for the vessel to travel to New Zealand
• Extending the current exception for diplomats to include those who are taking up new posts in New Zealand
• New criteria for ‘other essential worker’ exceptions and a new process for decisions which will now be made by Immigration New Zealand.
  
  

We are seeing emerging demand from employers and business for overseas workers. We need to balance this demand with our capacity for isolation and quarantine of new arrivals, and how we support a rapidly changing labour market.  

INZ is working to implement these changes as quickly as possible. We expect the changes to partners, essential workers and diplomats will be in effect by the end of next week. The maritime changes will be in place later in June.

The Government will continue to review the way we manage our border as New Zealand recovers from COVID-19.

The Government is working on a border strategy focused on the longer-term management of New Zealand's people movement border settings, and exploring how to create a managed isolation system that could support further opening of New Zealand’s borders while continuing to effectively manage health risks from overseas arrivals.
 
Partners and dependants
Partners and dependants of New Zealand citizens and residents no longer need to travel together to be granted an entry exception.

The current requirement that family members need to be travelling with each other to New Zealand has created significant difficulties for separated families.
​
The exemption will now also enable entry for partners, dependent children and legal guardians of New Zealand citizens and residents who are usually living in New Zealand or have a relationship based visa.