After being almost completely shut to the outside world since the start of the Covid 19 pandemic over two years ago, New Zealand is ready to completely reopen it borders to everyone from midnight of 31 July 2022 (technically 1 August 2022).
- 4 July 2022 – All work visa categories including the new Accredited Employer Work Visa will open for applications
- 31 July 2022 midnight – Applications for student & visitor visas and maritime borders will reopen
The New Zealand Government is trying to rebalance the immigration system in order to support a more productive higher-wage economy. This will give employers more access to skilled workers, allow international students & visitors to enter New Zealand and permit reunions.
- 3 July 2022 – Essential Skills Work Visa closes to applications
- 4 July 2022 – Accredited Employer Work Visa will open for applications
- December 2022 – Partners of temporary migrant workers can apply for a Visitor visa or an AEWV if they want to work in New Zealand
The AEWV will be available mainly to workers earning over the median wage of NZ $27.76 per hour 4 July onwards.
By 2023, the NZ Government wants all employers to be accredited to hire migrant workers, even those with openwork rights (Eg. working holidaymakers and students)
Sector Arrangements
The NZ Government has introduced a Green List. This list will make it easier for employers to hire and attract migrants for high-skilled, hard-to-fill positions in the construction, engineering, trades, health and ICT sectors.
If an employer who wants to hire migrant workers on the AEWV and the role is on this list, then advertising for the job check is not required.
There are certain transition arrangements that will allow certain roles in the construction, care, tourism & hospitality sectors to be recruited at rates slightly lower than the median wage.
On 9 May 2022, a special direction granted open work visas to those migrants already in New Zealand holding one of the following visas expiring between 9 May & 31 December 2022 (inclusive):
The new open work visa:
Family/ Dependants:
New visas have been granted to the partners and dependent children of the new open work visa holder.
To be eligible for this visa, the family must meet the following requirements:
Like the principal applicant, the visa will be valid from 9 May 2022 until two years from the visa expiry date. Also, the dependent family members who held work, student or visitor visas based on their relationship with the principal applicant will be granted the same type of visa.
On 9 May 2022, INZ extended the following work to residence visas by 6 months which were expiring between 9 May & 31 December 2022 under a special direction:
The visas have been extended for 6 months from the date of expiry of the previous visa
Family/ Dependants:
Visas of partners & dependent children expiring between 9 May & 31 December 2022 (inclusive) have also been extended by 6 months.
To be eligible for this visa, the family must meet the following requirements:
Visa conditions, including those that have been varied, remain the same.
The visa holder is not charged for the visa extension.
Online Records
INZ will email the eligible visa holders by the end of May 2022. Online records of the new visas & extensions will be updated by 25 May 2022.
For information about the Visa Verification Service, please click here
2021 Resident Visa applications
Those granted a new visa by the 9 May Special Direction can apply for the 2021 Resident visa if the visa they held before was eligible.
Besides the border reopening date, the NZ Government has also brought forward the opening date of the following Working Holiday Schemes:
The opening date of the following Working Holiday Schemes has been pushed back:
Countries in the Pacific Islands Forum include:
Federated States of Micronesia, Fiji, French Polynesia, Kiribati, Naru, New Caledonia, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Republic of Marshall Islands, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tonga, Tuvalu, Vanuatu
16 May 2022 – Online applications for visitors from the Pacific Islands Forum reopens.
Visitor Visa applications are already open for Cook Islands & Niue.
Unlike before, applications from the Pacific will now have to apply online visa Immigration Online. To be granted a Visitor Visa, applicants must be able to prove their genuine intent of travel to New Zealand
Maritime Borders
New Zealand’s maritime border will also reopen on 31 July 2022, in line with the air border. Pre-departure covid tests & vaccination will be required for passengers & crew.
As part of Immigration rebalance, policies have been changed to ensure that students who continue to stay in New Zealand after their studies fill the skill shortages.
In order to travel to New Zealand, non-New Zealand citizens must hold a valid visa or New Zealand electronic Travel Authority (NZeTA).
Get in touch with Immigration Advisors New Zealand Ltd, which provides up-to-date immigration information so you can consider opportunities and prepare yourself for the future. To know all the required procedures, contact us at [email protected] or call on +64 09 3790219.
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.