Partners and dependants
Partners and dependants of New Zealand citizens and residents no longer need to travel together to be granted an entry exception.
The current requirement that family members need to be travelling with each other to New Zealand has created significant difficulties for separated families.
The exemption will now also enable entry for partners, dependent children and legal guardians of New Zealand citizens and residents who are usually living in New Zealand or have a relationship based visa.
Workers required for significant economic activities
New processes and criteria are being put in place for employers who need to bring in workers required for significant economic activities, without whom key projects will be delayed or the economy affected.
The Government has always allowed for exceptions in limited circumstances, decided with Ministerial discretion on a case-by-case basis.
Demand is expected to increase as the economy starts up again, so these changes aim to provide greater certainty to migrants and businesses that believe they meet the ‘essential’ threshold.
Immigration New Zealand will now decide applications and clear criteria has been introduced, depending if the role is for the short or longer term. Applicants may include immediate family members.
Any employers granted an exception to bring in workers on these grounds must fund their managed isolation. In some cases, such as with larger groups, they may need to work with Ministry of Health to develop an alternative managed isolation plan.
Other Essential Workers
The threshold for entry for Other Essential Workers remains very high, aimed at high value workers on projects of national or regional significance, and businesses should ensure no alternative options are available before applying.
We are seeing emerging demand from employers and business for overseas workers. We need to balance this demand with our capacity for isolation and quarantine of new arrivals, and how we support a rapidly changing labour market.
This exception is aimed at high-value workers essential to time critical work on projects of national or regional significance.
Visa requirements still apply.
Businesses need to be taking active steps to employ and upskill New Zealand workers for all types of roles wherever possible.
The Government's working on establishing a joined up approach to labour market planning which will see our workforce, education and immigration systems working together to better meet differing and changing skills needs across the country.
Please find further information in the fact sheet attached titled 'Exceptions to the border closure for other essential workers' above. |