Yes - we are lagging behind the rest of the world and depending on your view of Covid and Omicron you can argue whether that's a good or a bad thing. However at last we have a glimpse of a plan for the reopening of our borders and as a result the migration opportunities.
If you have read our previous blogs you will know that New Zealand migration will be very different in the future as the government has taken the opportunity provided by Covid to "reset" our immigration rules and processes.
The following is the 5 stage process announced yesterday for the reopening of our borders.
STEP 1 From 11.59pm, Sunday 27 February 2022
Reopen to New Zealanders and other eligible travellers under current border settings (e.g. people with border exceptions) from Australia
STEP 2 From 11:59 pm, Sunday 13 March 2022
Reopen to New Zealanders and other eligible travellers under current border settings from the rest of the world
Open to skilled workers earning at least 1.5 times the median wage
Open to Working Holiday Scheme visas
STEP 3 From 11:59 pm, Tuesday 12 April 2022
Open to current offshore temporary visa holders, who can still meet the relevant visa requirements,
Open to up to 5000 international students for semester two
Further class exceptions for critical workforces that do not meet the 1.5 times the median wage test will be considered
STEP 4 By July 2022
Open to anyone from Australia
Open for visa-waiver travel
The Accredited Employer Work Visa will open, meaning the skilled and health worker border exception can be phased out
STEP 5 October 2022
Border fully reopens to visitors from anywhere in the world, and all visa categories fully reopen.
You can visit here for the full press release