The New Zealand Government had announced last month that it will allow some work visa holders who are overseas now but usually live in New Zealand to re-enter the country.
Consequent to the announcement by the Government Immigration New Zealand (INZ) has now put a process in place, and the revised instructions have come into effect from 09 October 2020.
Only those who departed New Zealand between 1 December 2019 and 9 October 2020 and held an Essential Skills Work Visa based on mid or higher-skilled employment or assessed as at or above the median wage, a Work to Residence Visa or an Entrepreneur Work Visa when they left are eligible to request for entry. INZ would grant entry to them as work visa holders who normally live and works in New Zealand.
To be considered for the new border exception and to demonstrate a strong and ongoing connection to New Zealand with realistic prospects of remaining here long-term, visa holders must:
The clause of having lived in New Zealand for at least two years has a condition attached to it, which was not clarified before. This has only come into the picture when INZ released the online form for requesting border exception.
This condition stipulates that there is also a requirement for the applicant to have spent 273 days or more in New Zealand in each of the two 12-month periods immediately before their departure.
The Government is expecting up to 850 visa holders may be eligible for this category, and it will monitor numbers.
For any queries or clarifications please reach out to us:
– Phone: +64 9 379 0219
– WhatsApp: +6421 080 14228
– Email: [email protected]
– Visit our website: www.nzimmigration.info
Reference: https://www.beehive.govt.nz/release/new-border-exception-normally-resident-work-visa-holders-0
Vandana Rai is a Senior Licensed Immigration Adviser and has built a reputation around her rare set of skills, which could be considered ideal for her legal profession.