New Zealand:New border exception for normally resident work visa holders

This is great news for visa holders who are currently stuck overseas. New border exception for normally resident work visa holders to be introduced early October 2020.

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:

• still hold their job in New Zealand, or continue to operate a business in New Zealand
• hold either a work to residence visa, or an essential skills visa that is not subject to the stand-down period, or an entrepreneur visa
• have departed New Zealand on or after 1 December 2019
• have lived in New Zealand for at least two years, or, if living in New Zealand for at least one year, have one of the following:

1. an entrepreneur work visa and operating a business in New Zealand (and operated it before departing New Zealand)-
2. their dependent children with them in New Zealand (for at least six months)
3. parents or adult siblings who are ordinarily resident in New Zealand
4. submitted an application for residence by 31 July 2020

• have held a visa at the time of departing that does not expire before the end of 2020, or, if expiring before that date, have applied for a further visa by 10 August 2020.

The New Zealand Government is expecting up to 850 visa holders may be eligible for this category and it will monitor numbers.

This alert is for informational purposes only. If you have any questions, please contact the immigration professional with whom you work at VISA LOUNGE Global Immigration.