Announced Friday, 15^th September 2020

Immigration New Zealand have resumed processing some visa applications from people who are currently not in New Zealand. The proposed approach is to assess these applications from applicants outside of New Zealand as far as possible without deciding. This enables them to make progress on these applications so that decisions can be made faster once border restrictions are lifted.

1. INZ are now processing and deciding offshore applications for some relationship-based visas if they are supported by a New Zealand citizen or resident.
2. INZ are also processing, but not approving, offshore applications for selected visa categories.

We understand you want certainty about your ability to enter New Zealand. COVID-19 has impacted people in many ways and New Zealand’s border restrictions have resulted in hardship for many migrants, including those separated from their loved ones.

RELATIONSHIP-BASED VISAS SUPPORTED BY A NEW ZEALANDER

The below table lists the supported applications that INZ are now processing offshore.

PARTNERSHIP	DEPENDENT CHILD
Visitor: Partnership	Visitor: Child of NZ citizen or resident
Visitor: Culturally Arranged Marriage	Visitor: Adopted child
Work: Partnership	Student: Child of NZ citizen or resident
Resident: Partnership	Resident: Family child dependent
Resident: Partnership - Partner of an Expatriate	Resident: Family child dependent - Dependent of an Expatriate

If you think you fall under any of these categories and would like further information or advice, please contact Doreen at [email protected] or Tim at [email protected] _or call us on +_64 9 479 2598

If granted a visa, these visa holders will be exempt from New Zealand border restrictions. The visa holder can travel to and enter New Zealand without seeking an approval from INZ and will not need to submit an Expression of Interest for an exception to travel to New Zealand.

The list above does not include General Visitor Visa applications made on the basis of a relationship which does not meet immigration partnership requirements.

Conditions
If INZ determine that an application does not meet their partnership requirements, a general Visitor Visa may be appropriate, and they will place the application on hold until border restrictions allow them to process general Visitor Visas.

Given current limitations on international travel, INZ will grant successful temporary entry applicants a six-month ‘first entry before’ date to allow them more time to secure flights and managed isolation or quarantine in New Zealand.

If an application is more than three months old when INZ assess it, they may need to request updated information, for example:

1. Updated partnership evidence or information about changes in circumstances
2. A new chest x-ray certificate (if the applicant is applying from a location with a high incidence of TB)

INZ will write to affected applicants and their immigration advisor to request the information we need if we have their contact details.

APPLICATIONS UNDER SELECTED VISA CATEGORIES

INZ will process offshore applications under the following visa categories:

Refugee Family Support: Tiers 1 and 2	Migrant Investor (Investor 1 and 2), including EOIs for Investor 2
Parent Retirement	Entrepreneur

ConditionsBecause immigration legislation does not allow them to grant these visas until current border restrictions are lifted, they will only process these applications as far as they can without approving them. However, they will decline any applications if they do not meet immigration instructions.

If an application looks like it meets immigration instructions, INZ may request further information and complete another assessment when the border restrictions are lifted. This will ensure the applicant still meets the requirements of the visa they have applied for when INZ make a final decision. If your circumstances change, you must let INZ or your adviser know.

Sometimes visas are subject to extra conditions, called section 49 conditions. INZ will process section 49 checks for these visa categories as normal, regardless of the applicant’s location.

IF YOU THINK YOU MIGHT QUALIFY FOR AN EXCEPTION TO THE CURRENT BORDER RESTRICTIONS, PLEASE CONTACT EITHER DOREEN ON [email protected] OR TIM ON [email protected].