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IMPACT – MEDIUM
Immigration New Zealand has begun processing some relationship-based visas for foreign nationals abroad. The move is the latest step INZ has taken to ease some COVID-19 entry and immigration restrictions.
Key Points:
INZ is now processing and issuing the following offshore, relationship-based visas.
Those who are granted a visa in one of these categories will be not be subject to the normal COVID-19 entry restrictions. They will not be required, for example, to obtain permission from INZ to travel to New Zealand and will not have to provide an Expression of Interest for an exception.
Successful applicants will be granted a six-month period to enter New Zealand and activate their visas. This will allow travelers more time to arrange flights and plans to isolate or quarantine upon arriving in New Zealand. INZ may request additional or updated information for applications that were lodged more than three months prior to when INZ assesses them. This may include updated partnership evidence or a new chest x-ray for applicants traveling from countries with high rates of tuberculosis.INZ also said last week that it is processing but not yet issuing the following visas.
INZ said that while it will begin processing these applications, it cannot issue these visas under the current COVID-19 restrictions. By beginning processing, however, INZ may be able to more quickly issue these visas once restrictions are lifted. INZ said it would reject applications that do not meet immigration requirements and may request additional information as needed.
Analysis & Comments: INZ has taken steps to reopen to a growing number of foreign nationals, including waiving entry restrictions for some temporary work visa holders who normally reside in New Zealand and were outside the country when the border was closed earlier this year. While some relationship-based visas will now be processed, however, INZ said it will not yet process General Visitor Visa applications lodged on the basis of a relationship that does not meet applicable partnership requirements. These applications will be placed on hold until border restrictions permit them to be processed. The response to the COVID-19 pandemic continues to develop, and Deloitte will provide additional updates as information becomes available. Please check Deloitte’s COVID-19 Digital Map, available here, for information on travel restrictions and immigration changes in other countries.
Rest of World Source: Deloitte. Deloitte refers to one or more of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited (“DTTL”), its global network of member firms, and their related entities. DTTL (also referred to as “Deloitte Global”) and each of its member firms are legally separate and independent entities. DTTL does not provide services to clients. Please see www.deloitte.com/about to learn more. Deloitte Legal means the legal practices of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited member firms or their affiliates that provide legal services. For legal, regulatory and other reasons, not all member firms provide legal services. This includes Deloitte Tax LLP in the United States which does not provide legal and/or immigration advice or services. This communication contains general information only, and none of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited, its member firms or their related entities (collectively, the “Deloitte network”) is, by means of this communication, rendering professional advice or services. Before making any decision or taking any action that may affect your finances or your business, you should consult a qualified professional adviser. No entity in the Deloitte network shall be responsible for any loss whatsoever sustained by any person who relies on this communication. © 2020. For information, contact Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited.
IMPACT – HIGH
New Zealand has granted extensions for family of employer-assisted work visa holders and Recognised Seasonal Employer workers.
Key points:
Background: A six-month extension was granted to in-country holders of employer-assisted visas in July.
Analysis & Comments: The extensions will provide relief to Recognised Seasonal Employer workers and family of employer-assisted work visa holders. The response to the COVID-19 pandemic continues to develop, and Deloitte will provide additional updates as information becomes available. Please check Deloitte’s COVID-19 Digital Map, available here, for information on travel restrictions and immigration changes in other countries.
Foreigners seeking entry to New Zealand as an exception to the border closures face a new process and lodgment fees. Additionally, offshore visas will be suspended.
Background: New Zealand closed its borders to non-citizens in March and has among the world’s strictest entry requirements.
Analysis & Comments: The response to the COVID-19 pandemic continues to develop, and Deloitte will provide additional updates as information becomes available. Please check Deloitte’s COVID-19 Digital Map, available here, for information on travel restrictions and immigration changes in other countries.
New Zealand recently announced it will soon change the way it assesses the skill level of jobs for essential skills work visas.
Background: The removal of ANZSCO for the assessment of Essential Skills work visa applications is part of the wider changes to employer assisted work visas that are due to be introduced by INZ in mid-2021. Analysis & Comments: Employers should note the assessment changes and prepare accordingly.
As of June 18, there will be an additional border exemption for “other essential workers.”
Analysis & Comments: Strict quarantine rules remain for anyone coming into New Zealand. Workers and their families must secure a place in managed isolation or quarantine for 14 days, and the worker or employer must cover the costs. Employers who believe they have an employee who may be eligible for border exemptions under the “other essential workers” category should contact Deloitte for a detailed assessment. If eligible, a border exemption application must be submitted to Immigration New Zealand (INZ).
The response to the COVID-19 pandemic continues to develop, and Deloitte will provide additional updates as information becomes available. Please check Deloitte’s COVID-19 Digital Map, available here, for information on travel restrictions and immigration changes in other countries.
Rest of World Source: Deloitte. Deloitte refers to one or more of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited (“DTTL”), its global network of member firms, and their related entities. DTTL (also referred to as “Deloitte Global”) and each of its member firms are legally separate and independent entities. DTTL does not provide services to clients. Please see www.deloitte.com/about to learn more. Deloitte Legal means the legal practices of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited member firms or their affiliates that provide legal services. For legal, regulatory and other reasons, not all member firms provide legal services. This includes Deloitte Tax LLP in the United States which does not provide legal and/or immigration advice or services. This communication contains general information only, and none of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited, its member firms or their related entities (collectively, the “Deloitte network”) is, by means of this communication, rendering professional advice or services. Before making any decision or taking any action that may affect your finances or your business, you should consult a qualified professional adviser. No entity in the Deloitte network shall be responsible for any loss whatsoever sustained by any person who relies on this communication.
The government announced additional transit guidelines for foreign nationals seeking to return to their countries of residence.
Background: New Zealand announced several transit measures in late March. For more information on the transit policy, visit the New Zealand government’s COVID-19 website.
Analysis & Comments: The response to the COVID-19 pandemic continues to develop, and Deloitte will provide additional updates as information becomes available.
The government of Malaysia has extended the movement control order (MCO) it implemented earlier this month to mitigate the spread of COVID-19. The temporary MCO will continue to be in force until April 14.
Analysis & Comments: Employers must continue to be prepared for significant disruptions to all but essential business and government functions. The response to the COVID-19 pandemic continues to develop, and Deloitte will provide additional updates as information becomes available.
As of 11:59 p.m., March 19, New Zealand has closed its borders to foreign nationals to mitigate the spread of COVID-19.
Additional information: Affected travelers must have boarded their flight by 11:59 p.m., March 19. Immigration New Zealand may make exceptions for humanitarian reasons, health and other essential workers, Samoan and Tongan citizens traveling for essential reasons, and visa holders who normally reside in New Zealand and are the partner or dependent of a temporary work or student visa holder.
Immigration New Zealand (INZ) is working with the Ministry of Health and other government agencies to manage the COVID-19 outbreak. These restrictions will be reviewed in 14 days.
Analysis & Comments: Employers should anticipate that the entry ban will significantly disrupt business activity and employee mobility. The response to the COVID-19 pandemic continues to develop, and Deloitte will provide additional updates as information becomes available.
Source: Deloitte. Deloitte refers to one or more of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited (“DTTL”), its global network of member firms, and their related entities. DTTL (also referred to as “Deloitte Global”) and each of its member firms are legally separate and independent entities. DTTL does not provide services to clients. Please see www.deloitte.com/about to learn more. Deloitte Legal means the legal practices of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited member firms or their affiliates that provide legal services. For legal, regulatory and other reasons, not all member firms provide legal services. This communication contains general information only, and none of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited, its member firms or their related entities (collectively, the “Deloitte network”) is, by means of this communication, rendering professional advice or services. Before making any decision or taking any action that may affect your finances or your business, you should consult a qualified professional adviser. No entity in the Deloitte network shall be responsible for any loss whatsoever sustained by any person who relies on this communication. © 2020. For information, contact Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited.
New Zealand has begun requiring almost all international travelers to self-isolate upon arrival. The change is one of a handful of measures New Zealand has implemented to mitigate the spread of the COVID-19 virus.
The current restrictions are as follows:
Analysis & Comments: The New Zealand government will review the new restrictions in 16 days. Employers should account for affected travelers and rearrange travel schedules accordingly. Significant delays may also occur at this time for consular and in-country processing.Source: Deloitte. Deloitte refers to one or more of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited (“DTTL”), its global network of member firms, and their related entities. DTTL (also referred to as “Deloitte Global”) and each of its member firms are legally separate and independent entities. DTTL does not provide services to clients. Please see www.deloitte.com/about to learn more. Deloitte Legal means the legal practices of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited member firms or their affiliates that provide legal services. For legal, regulatory and other reasons, not all member firms provide legal services. This communication contains general information only, and none of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited, its member firms or their related entities (collectively, the “Deloitte network”) is, by means of this communication, rendering professional advice or services. Before making any decision or taking any action that may affect your finances or your business, you should consult a qualified professional adviser. No entity in the Deloitte network shall be responsible for any loss whatsoever sustained by any person who relies on this communication. © 2020. For information, contact Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited.
What is the change? Immigration New Zealand (INZ) has announced that visa processing delays are expected following the closure of its Beijing visa processing office.
What does the change mean? INZ is transferring incoming visa applications from its Beijing office to other offices and has relocated immigration officers who normally work on Essential Skills visas to assist in processing visitor and student visa applications. As a result, INZ expects that this will increase the overall visa processing times of Essential Skills Work Visa applications.
Background: The Beijing office, which processes roughly 10,000 applications weekly, closed temporarily on Jan. 24 amid coronavirus concerns. The closure resulted in a reduction of 130 immigration officers who process visas.
Analysis & Comments: Although INZ has assigned 50 immigration officers who normally work on Essential Skills visas to process visitor and student visas from the Beijing office, they are currently facing a two-week backlog of over 13,000 applications. Essential Skills visa applications are currently taking 10 days to be allocated to an officer for processing, but could take up to six weeks, depending on developments in the coming weeks. Employers must be prepared to be flexible with employee schedules and start dates for employees who are affected by travel restrictions and delays. Deloitte will alert clients to additional changes or restrictions as information becomes available.