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Some temporary visa holders who are abroad will be allowed to return to New Zealand, as will some partners of Kiwi citizens and residents.
New Zealand visitor visa (file image). Source: istock.com
The Government today announced a new border waiver policy for people with visas who have “strong and permanent ties to New Zealand.”
Immigration Minister Kris Faafoi said it would apply to visa holders “who must have kept their job or business in New Zealand.”
In addition to their partners and dependent children, they will be able to request this exception from the beginning of October when the new category opens ”.
“Many of these visa holders and their families have lived in New Zealand for years and have built their lives here with the hope and expectation of being able to stay longer in New Zealand,” Faafoi said.
“It is only fair to allow these visa holders to return given their longstanding and ongoing connections to this country.”
It was also revealed that Australian partners of New Zealanders, as well as those from 61 visa-exempt countries, can get an exception to travel here.
Faafoi said New Zealand can handle 7,000 people in managed isolation at a time.
“Those who meet the specific criteria of this new category of border exception for normal residents can now be managed within our system alongside returning citizens and permanent residents.”
