The New Zealand Government and Immigration New Zealand have made further announcements in relation to New Zealand's current border setting and immigration policy. We have collated these announcements and amended our infographic to accommodate for key changes.
Key Immigration Dates
Eligible travellers defined
Immigration New Zealand have provided a definition of eligible travellers who can travel to New Zealand, this includes:
- New Zealand citizens
- New Zealand permanent residents or resident visa holders
- Australian citizens or permanent residence visa holders where New Zealand is your primary place of established residence
- Holders of a critical purpose visa (with a border exception), or
- Partners, dependent child/ren or parents of a dependent child
who is:
- A New Zealand citizen,
- A New Zealand resident, or
- One of the people listed in the bullet points above
Changes to MIQ requirements and entry dates
The government have made the following announcements:
- The previously announced date to allow for self-isolation to be used by eligible travellers travelling from Australia has been delayed to the end of February 2022 (the previously announced date was 17 January 2022).
- Eligible travellers travelling to New Zealand will need to provide a negative Covid-19 test that is obtained from the local health authority 48 hours before the first international flight (the previous requirement was 72 hours).
- Eligible travellers will need to MIQ for 10 days upon arrival in New Zealand.
Given that, the date to allow for self-isolation to be used by eligible travellers travelling from Australia has been delayed to the end of February 2022, we anticipate that the entry date to allow for self-isolation to be used by eligible travellers travelling from other countries will also be delayed until at least the end of February 2022 (the previously announced date was 13 January 2022).
Very high-risk countries
All countries removed from Very High Risk country list.
Approved worker border exception request changes
The government have announced a new border class exception for the technology sector will enable 600 specialist tech workers and their partners and dependent children to travel to New Zealand.
The government have renewed the following approved worker border exceptions for:
- 200 rural contractors paid at least $27 an hour
- 40 shearers
- 615 deep-sea fishing crew (to enter in September and October 2022)
- 30 travellers per month nominated by Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) to transit New Zealand on the way home to Australia
- 550 cargo crew servicing the Pacific to undertake managed isolation in New Zealand
Our thoughts
Based on the information that has been released, New Zealand is taking a prudent approach to keeping the Omicron variant out of New Zealand. We would not be surprised if further delays were implemented, unless there is a further significant shortening of the time gap between the second and third/booster dose of vaccine in New Zealand. It appears still, that the current border setting that is in effect will continue to apply until 1 May 2022.
The content of this article is intended to provide a general guide to the subject matter. Specialist advice should be sought about your specific circumstances.
