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IMPACT – MEDIUM
The government of New Zealand has announced that it will phase out its border exception program by the end of July.
Key Points:
Additional Information: More information regarding New Zealand’s border reopening plan is available here.
BAL Analysis: As New Zealand moves towards fully reopening its border by the end of July, border exceptions are no longer needed as a pathway for people to enter the country. The response to the COVID-19 pandemic continues to develop, and BAL will provide additional updates as information becomes available.
This alert has been provided by the BAL Global Practice group. For additional information, please contact berryapplemanleiden@bal.com.
Copyright © 2022 Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. All rights reserved. Reprinting or digital redistribution to the public is permitted only with the express written permission of Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. For inquiries, please contact copyright@bal.com.
The New Zealand government has announced that it will increase its application filing fees for most visa types.
BAL Analysis: Employers should take the new filing fees into account when assessing their budgets.
Copyright © 2022 Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. All rights reserved. Reprinting or digital redistribution to the public is permitted only with the express written permission of Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. For inquiries please contact copyright@bal.com.
The New Zealand government has opened applications for Accredited Employer Work Visas (AEWVs) and all other work visas as part of the country’s COVID-19 recovery plan.
Additional Information: Visa applicants must still meet New Zealand’s health border measures, including being fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and completing a New Zealand Traveler Declaration. More information regarding AEWVs is available here. A list of other work visas is available here.
BAL Analysis: Foreign nationals who are outside New Zealand can now apply work visa applications for the first time since early 2022.
The government of New Zealand has eased its COVID-19 entry requirements.
Additional Information: Those who are transiting through New Zealand do not need to be vaccinated against COVID-19. More information regarding entry requirements for New Zealand is available here.
BAL Analysis: New Zealand authorities removed the pre-departure testing requirement on June 20 instead of July 31 due to the decline in COVID-19 cases throughout the country. The response to the COVID-19 pandemic continues to develop, and BAL will provide additional updates as information becomes available.
The government of New Zealand has reduced visa application requirements for travelers from certain countries added to the Low Tuberculosis Incidence list
Additional Information: More information regarding the changes to the Low Tuberculosis Incidence list is available here.
BAL Analysis: Many travelers to New Zealand will no longer be required to provide a chest x-ray when applying for a visa to stay in the country for longer than six months.
The government of New Zealand has announced that it will accelerate is reopening plan and will lift all border measures by July 2022.
Additional Information: Several changes have been announced including the introduction of new residence pathways that use a “Green List” and an extension on most Work-to-Residence visa holders who were in New Zealand on May 9 and whose visas expire before Dec. 31 have received an automatic six-month extension. More information regarding the border reopening and visa extensions is available here.
BAL Analysis: While the border reopening signals that traveling to New Zealand will be easier in the coming months, entry restrictions and health protocols can change with little or no notice. The response to the COVID-19 pandemic continues to develop, and BAL will provide additional updates as information becomes available.
This alert has been provided by the BAL Global Practice Group. For additional information, please contact berryapplemanleiden@bal.com.
The government of New Zealand has published a policy outline for the job check application and labor market test portions of the Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV).
Job Check:
Labor Market Test:
AEWV Applications:
Additional Information: Beginning July 3, the Essential Skills work visa category will no longer be available. Employers will be required to use AEWVs to hire skilled workers from July 4. More information regarding how to hire foreign nationals on the AEWV is available here.
BAL Analysis: Employers should note that it may take an additional four to five weeks to complete the Job Check application process after they acquire accreditation.
The government of New Zealand has reopened the country’s borders to visa waiver travelers.
BAL Analysis: While traveling to New Zealand should be easier for some in the coming months, entry restrictions and health protocols can change with little or no notice. The response to the COVID-19 pandemic continues to develop, and BAL will provide additional updates as information becomes available.
The government of New Zealand has provided updated criteria for employer accreditation.
BAL Analysis: Employers should note the new accreditation policies and ensure their employment agreements satisfy the new requirements.
The government of New Zealand has introduced a new 2022 Special Ukraine Visa for family members of Ukrainians in New Zealand.
Additional Information: Eligible family members in New Zealand can sponsor their parents, grandparents, siblings and adult children for the visa. Each of those sponsored individuals can include their spouse and dependent children in the visa application. More information regarding the application process is available here.
BAL Analysis: The government of New Zealand continues to consider other immigration concessions for Ukrainian nationals and their family members. Employers and employees are reminded that actions taken as a result of the invasion of Ukraine may change with little or no notice.