Holiday Hours: Our offices close from 5.30pm, Wednesday, 18 December and reopen 8.30am on Monday, 6 January 2025. If you need urgent assistance during the holidays call 0800 800 612 to talk to a Licensed Immigration Adviser. Wishing you and your family safe and happy holidays!
Border closure
A critical worker is described as: A health worker; or Entering the country for less than 6 months with a unique skill set not available in New Zealand.
While New Zealand has returned to life as normal the border remains closed to everyone other than New Zealand citizens or residents and a limited group of others.
There is a border exception process for critical workers, partners/children of New Zealand citizens or residents or where there is a clear humanitarian reason for being in New Zealand. This is not a walk in the park. The threshold to get an exception is set very high. Around 70% of critical worker requests are declined. Someone stuck overseas already holding an Essential Skills Work Visa wanting to get back to their job is unlikely to get a border exemption unless highly skilled.
A critical worker is described as:
- A health worker; or
- A person entering the country for less than 6 months with a unique skill set not available in New Zealand and completing a time critical role (e.g. installing/servicing major equipment, essential for a major infrastructure project etc); or
- A person entering the country for more than 6 months; must earn a minimum of NZD $106,080 per annum and have an essential role on a project in New Zealand that is either government funded or related or has significant wider benefits to the national or regional economy etc.
The border exemption process is complex. Consult a professional. Getting it wrong will cost your business time, money and risk the success of projects, new ventures or investments.
Employers are expected to pay the costs of managed isolation or quarantine for critical workers (and their families). Space is limited as New Zealanders are given priority. As part of the planning process factor in delays with available flights.
Read more at https://covid19.govt.nz/travel-and-the-border/travel-to-new-zealand/
News
Malcolm Pacific Immigration keeps ahead of immigration changes. Sign up below to our newsletter to keep up to date.
Immigration headlines for employers
The team at Malcolm Pacific Immigration keep across the constant changes in immigration rules and regulations. Here is the latest roundup of interest to businesses and HR teams.
Employer Accreditation – pain points
There is a level of frustration at the current processing delays across the three gateways of the Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV) scheme.
Immigration and employers have been busy
There is a level of frustration at the current processing delays across the three gateways of the Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV) scheme.
Get started with a free assessment today
We are New Zealand’s largest and most experienced team of licensed immigration advisers. Our experts take away the stress and worry of navigating the complicated world of immigration. All you need to do is get in touch. Our team is on standby, ready to help.
