New Zealand is introducing new border exceptions that will see hundreds more families who were separated by the border closure to be reunited.
These new border exceptions were announced this morning by the Immigration Minister, Kris Faafoi.
The new border exceptions will allow offshore visa applications for the families of health care workers as well as a small number of other highly-skilled workers in other sectors who are already currently in New Zealand. Now they will once again be able to apply for visas to bring their families to New Zealand.
A new border exception is also being created for the partners and dependent children of a very small number of other highly-skilled, non-health care temporary worker visa holders in New Zealand. This will allow skilled workers, who could come in with their families as a “critical worker” if they were outside New Zealand, to bring their families to join them without having to leave the country.
To be eligible for the new family reunification border exceptions, their family member(s) in New Zealand must have more than 12 months remaining on their visa. The normal visa and managed isolation requirements apply.
“We have introduced additional exceptions throughout the past year as circumstances permitted, and I’m pleased to announce today we are granting further exemptions that will allow hundreds more families to reunite,” Kris Faafoi said.
“These latest exceptions are expected to allow hundreds more migrants to come to New Zealand and join their families,” Kris Faafoi said while making the announcement.
The new border exception rules will bring cheer to hundreds who have been desperate to be reunited with their families that was being prevented by the current Covid situation.
Entry from India is on temporary hold until 28 April while the government here reviews the pre-departure regime in all countries.
