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Immigration Minister Kris Faafoi has announced that those already in the country with visitor visas that expire before the end of October will have their visa automatically extended for five months.
This story was originally published on RNZ.co.nz and republished with permission.
Visitors and temporary migrants stuck in New Zealand due to Covid-19 will have their visas extended to give them more time to organize flights home.
Immigration Minister Kris Faafoi has announced that those already in the country with visitor visas that expire before the end of October will have their visa automatically extended for five months.
Temporary migrants unable to leave due to international travel restrictions will receive a new two-month Covid-19 short-term visa, which will take effect when their current visa expires, it says.
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There are approximately 19,000 people in New Zealand who have visitor visas that will be eligible for the automatic five-month extension.
Faafoi says that around 268,000 foreigners have left New Zealand since March 2020.
He says the changes are specifically to help people who are already in New Zealand and who do not have an immediate option to return home.
“Temporary migrants must have a valid visa to legally stay in New Zealand, otherwise they must leave the country.
“However, we know that international travel restrictions due to Covid-19 have affected the ability of many people to leave New Zealand before their visas expire,” Faafoi says.
“These changes will provide visitors and other temporary migrants stranded in New Zealand with more certainty and time to organize travel arrangements home.
The new two-month Covid-19 short-term visitor visa will help people reaching the end of their visitor, work, student or partner visa who do not meet the criteria for another visa and need time to organize travel to home, says Faafoi.
“To be eligible for the Covid-19 short-term visitor visa, Immigration New Zealand must be satisfied that visitor visa holders cannot actually leave New Zealand as a result of Covid-19, they intend to depart and meet normal requirements character requirements.
“However, temporary migrants who choose to apply for the Covid-19 short-term visitor visa will not need to comply with other usual visitor visa requirements, such as demonstrating that they have enough money to finance their stay, having existing subsequent travel arrangements. or that they have met the time limits for their stay in New Zealand, “he says.
This story was originally published on RNZ.co.nz and republished with permission.
