In response to the government agreeing to defer the stand-down requirement on essential skills work visas for critical healthcare workers, immigration have announced new instructions for those who are eligible:

The Government has agreed to defer the stand down requirement for lower skilled critical healthcare workers on Essential Skills work visas. This includes visa applications made after 27 July 2020 that are paid below the median wage.

Immigration instructions now allow eligible healthcare workers to hold Essential Skills visas for four rather than three years before they are required to stand down for 12 months. This is to help maintain existing health workforces and minimise disruption to New Zealand’s COVID-19 public health response.    

This decision only applies to healthcare and support workers who were employed in the below-listed occupations and sectors on 23 March 2020.

Occupations: Medical Doctors Nurses Midwives Psychologists Physiotherapists

**Technical and support staff working in:**Theatre Laboratory Radiology Cardiology Blood Service Nuclear medicine Oncology Haematology Pathology Hyperbaric medicine Mortuary Research staff Sectors Aged care Palliative/hospice care Mental health Child health Forensic care

**NOTE THAT THIS IS NOT A VISA EXTENSION.**This is a one-off change to support the health system’s response to COVID-19. Workers will need to apply for further Essential Skills work visas before their current visa expires.

REMINDER: All new Essential Skills work visa applications lodged from 10 July 2020 for jobs paying below the median wage have a duration of 6 months. - www.govt.nz

PLEASE CONTACT US ** FOR MORE INFORMATION OR IF YOU NEED HELP.**