Who’s eligible for an exception to the border restrictions?
The New Zealand border is currently closed to all but New Zealand citizens and residents. But the New Zealand government acknowledges that there may be extremely limited circumstances where it is appropriate for a person who is not a New Zealand citizen, permanent resident or person returning to New Zealand as a resident to travel to New Zealand. Exceptions are only in place for extreme circumstances where people have a critical purpose for travel to New Zealand.
What is the process for seeking an exception to travel restrictions?
A process has now been put in place by Immigration New Zealand (INZ) for requests to be made for exceptions to the border closure for exceptional circumstances, including:
- Health and other essential workers
- Citizens of Samoa and Tonga for essential travel to New Zealand
- Humanitarian reasons.
People who are outside New Zealand and think they may be eligible for an exception can make a request to INZ by using a request form available on the INZ website. Before submitting a request, consider the availability of flights to New Zealand and travel restrictions for any country you may need to transit on the way to New Zealand.
What about immediate family of New Zealand citizens or residents who are travelling with them?
Immediate family who are not citizens or residents can make a request to Immigration New Zealand to undertake this travel. This process will provide this group of people with certainty that they can travel to New Zealand rather than risk being denied boarding flights to New Zealand.
What about Australian citizens and permanent residents who normally live in New Zealand?
Australian citizens and permanent residents who normally live in New Zealand can make a request to Immigration New Zealand to return to New Zealand. This process will provide this group of people with certainty that they can travel to New Zealand rather than risk being denied boarding flights to New Zealand.
How does the process work?
An individual needs to submit a request for an exception to the border restrictions. If their circumstances are considered exceptional and justify travel to New Zealand for a critical purpose, or because they are the family of and travelling with a New Zealander, they will be invited to apply for a visitor visa, or to vary their existing visa to allow them to travel.
How long will the process take?
INZ will endeavour to respond to Expressions of Interests within three working days, depending on demand. Visa applications from individuals who have been invited to apply for an exception will be prioritised.
On what sort of grounds are exceptions being given, or able to be given?
Exceptions may be considered on a case by case basis, for
- Health and other essential workers
- Citizens of Samoa and Tonga for essential travel to New Zealand
- Visitor, student or work visa holders who normally live in New Zealand, and who are the partner or dependent of a temporary work or student visa holder who is currently in New Zealand
- Humanitarian reasons.
Very few requests have been approved to date.
What are the exceptions with regards to the partners of NZ citizens or residents wishing to still travel to NZ to be with their NZ partner? Is there a process to allow entry for non-resident or citizen partners, approved visas, who are offshore but the NZ permanent resident or citizen is onshore?
The health and wellbeing of New Zealand and ensuring we minimise the spread of COVID-19 is our number one priority at the moment. Exceptions may be considered on a case by case basis for individuals who meet the criteria.
What qualifies as humanitarian grounds?
Immigration New Zealand has the discretion to make humanitarian exceptions in extremely limited cases. Officers may take into account factors such as:
- The person’s connection to New Zealand and to the place they are currently located
- Whether New Zealand is their primary place of residence, and how long they have been away from New Zealand
- Other options available to the person
- The impact of not giving an exception
- Whether the Ministry of Health or a District Health Board supports the provision of any medical treatment that may be required by an applicant.
What is the definition of essential health workers as identified by the Government?
An essential health care worker is defined as a current or new employee with a signed offer of employment from one of the listed agencies and who has a commencement date from March to June 2020. The employee will hold an acceptable key clinical or non-clinical position working in:
- A District Health Board
- The New Zealand Blood Service
- Hospice or palliative care
- A primary care practice such as urgent care or a medical or healthcare centre
- Aged residential care, respite or continuing care facility.
What occupations are covered?
The exception for essential health workers applies to people who hold the necessary qualifications and registration (if required) to work in NZ. Key clinical or non-clinical positions within the agencies listed are as follows:
- Medical Doctors
- Nurses
- Midwives
- Psychologist, Physiotherapist
- Technical and Scientific staff working in theatre, laboratory, radiology, cardiology, blood service, nuclear medicine, oncology, haematology, pathology, hyperbaric medicine and mortuary and Research staff.
- Care and Support Workers; Aged Care, Child Health and Palliative/hospice care workers; Mental Health and Forensic care workers.
This exception also applies to the essential health workers’ partners and dependent children.
What are other essential workers identified by the Government?
The COVID-19 All of Government Officials group will identify and consider exceptions for other essential workers in occupations which are critical to delivering the response to COVID-19 and/or maintaining critical infrastructure. Exceptions will be decided by the Government following advice from officials.
Essential workers are considered by the COVID-19 All of Government Officials group as critical to delivering the response to COVID-19 and /or maintaining critical infrastructure, and agreed to by the Minister of Immigration and other responsible Ministers. More information here. |