Changes to Immigration Instructions

Immigration New Zealand (INZ) has announced that immigration rules have been updated for:

• Changes have been made to the immigration instructions R2.40.2 regarding mandatory requirements for lodging an application for resident visa at an immigration control area or port
• There are no more COVID-19 Support Residence instructions at sections 5.10 and 5.15, as Australia’s citizens and permanent residents no longer need a critical purpose visa to enter New Zealand
• Two new border class exceptions have been put in place, allowing visas to be issued to 5,000 new and returning international students, as well as 250 Pacific Manaaki New Zealand scholars

The above-mentioned changes will take effect from 11.59pm on 12^th April 2022.

• The requirement for Recognised Seasonal Employers to have an approved Agreement to Recruit in order to employ people under the Supplementary Seasonal Employment (SSE) scheme has been removed from the SSE work visa instructions.

These changes regarding SSE came into effect on 4^th April 2022.

In addition, it is important to note that changes have been made to immigration instructions Y4.15 which pertains to people who must be refused entry permission unless granted as an exception to instructions:

• Changes have been made to the border entry instructions to:

1. Clarify that people who get resident visas under Section 61A of the Immigration Act 2009, should be able to enter the country based on the rules that were in place when they got the visa
2. New Zealand’s Ministry of Health (MOH) should be added to the list of government agencies that all visitors must meet before they can enter the country

Those who applied for residency outside of New Zealand after the border was closed will be able to get their visas again thanks to these changes.

To gain a better understanding of the above changes to the immigration instructions and to learn more about them kindly get in touch with us.

Please do not hesitate to contact Immigration Advisers New Zealand Ltd. at contact@nzimmigration.info or call on +64 09 3790219.  Our experienced team of Licensed Immigration Advisers will be happy to guide you.