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5-Step Plan Announced To Reconnect New Zealand To The World
Today (3 February, 2022), Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern announced the government’s 5-step plan to ease the current tensions and restrictions of the MIQ landscape.
The five-step plan prioritises returning New Zealanders and brings forward the reopening of key visa categories to address worker shortages. The five steps are as follows:
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Step 1 - Sunday 27 February 2022: |
From 11:59pm, fully vaccinated New Zealanders and other currently eligible travellers from Australia will be able to travel to New Zealand and self-isolate, rather than go through MIQ. |
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Step 2 - Sunday 13 March 2022: |
From 11:59pm, fully vaccinated New Zealanders and other currently eligible travellers from the rest of the word will be able to travel to New Zealand and self-isolate, rather than go through MIQ. |
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Working holiday schemes will also re-open in stages from Step 2. |
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Step 3 - Sunday 12 April 2022: |
Sunday 12 April 2022 – from 11:59pm, extension to allow international students (up to 5,000) and current temporary visa holders to enter (who can still meet the relevant visa requirements). |
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Step 4 - No later than July 2022: |
Those on the new Accredited Employer Work Visa (including those overseas) will become eligible. This is restricted to those workers who will earn 1.5 times the median wage. |
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Step 5 - October 2022: |
All visa categories will reopen in October 2022, including visitor and student visas. |
Do I still need a border exception?
We understand that while the MIQ landscape is changing, the requirement for a border exception for otherwise non-eligible travellers remains. The Critical Worker exception is proposed to be removed as the government allows applications for alternative work visas.
What we still need to know
We are eagerly awaiting communication from the Minister of Immigration as to what this, as well as other immigration rebalancing measures will look like over the upcoming months.
On February 20, the government will review the proposed dates for implementing this plan. We understand they are hopeful these dates may be brought forward.
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