The Government of New Zealand announced a 5-step plan to reopen the country’s international border to fully vaccinated travelers, without managed isolation requirements.
Step 1 – 11:59 pm, February 27, 2022 |
|
Group eligible to travel |
Types of workers / people |
| Reopen to New Zealanders and other eligible travellers under current border settings from Australia | Those who are eligible under any existing border exceptions, such as:
|
Step 2 – 11:59 pm, March 13, 2022 |
|
| Group eligible to travel | Types of workers / people |
| Reopen to New Zealanders and other eligible travellers under current border settings from the rest of the world | Those who are eligible under any existing border exceptions, such as:
|
| Expanded border exception for Other Critical Workers in roles longer than six months (1.5 x median wage bright-line test) | Skilled workers earning at least 1.5 x the median wage ($84,240 a year). Key sectors that will benefit from this change are ICT, agriculture, education, and office professionals (e.g. accountants, HR advisors, auditors, economists). |
| Working Holiday Schemes | People coming to work and travel in New Zealand. Working Holiday makers play an important role in our seasonal sectors, such as tourism, hospitality, and the primary industries. |
Step 3 – 11:59 pm, April 12, 2022 |
|
| Group eligible to travel | Types of workers / people |
| Existing visa holders | People who hold a current valid temporary visa and are currently outside of New Zealand. Will be eligible to travel from 12 April. Some existing visa holders may no longer meet the requirements of their original visa, or no longer wish to travel. |
| Students | Up to 5000 students eligible to enter New Zealand to study for semester two. Details to be determined by the Ministers of Education and Immigration. |
| Class exceptions for critical workforces | Seasonal workers, critical workers who don’t meet the bright-line test, and other priority travelers. Existing Border Exceptions remain eligible, as well as consideration of creating new class exceptions, or additions to lists, for critical workforces that do not meet the 1.5 x median wage bright-line test. |
| Events and sports | Professional sports players and team members (managers and coaches etc) Performers and support crew for cultural events with significant national/ regional benefits. |
Step 4 – by July 2022 |
|
| Group eligible to travel | Types of workers / people |
| Australian citizens, permanent residents, and other foreign nationals in Australia | Short-term business travelers, people visiting family and friends, and tourists. Could include some workers. |
| Visa-waiver travelers | Visitors and short-term business travelers. |
| Accredited Employer Work Visas (note this will open from July) | Workers earning over the median wage. |
Step 5 – October 2022 |
|
| Group eligible to travel | Types of workers / people |
| Visitor visas | Visitors and business travelers. Normal visa processing resumes (excluding any deliberately paused categories which were paused prior to COVID-19). |
Erickson Insights
The COVID-19 pandemic is rapidly evolving, and guidance from government agencies and health advisories change often.
Erickson Immigration Group will continue to share updates as more news is available. If you have questions about anything we’re reporting above or case-specific questions, please contact your employer or EIG attorney.