Immigration New Zealand Media Release - 19th April 2021

Immigration Minister Hon Kris Faafoi has today announced that the Government is introducing border exceptions allowing offshore visa applications for the families of health care workers in New Zealand.

This announcement comes after representations made directly to Minister Faafoi by the NZACA and rectifies an immigration policy anomaly affecting hundreds of critical health workers, including some in aged residential care, who entered New Zealand just prior to the borders closing in March 2020.

To be eligible for the new border exceptions, the family member currently in New Zealand must have more than 12 months remaining on their visa. Those who are eligible will be able to request a border exception from 30 April 2021.

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