Kiwi Indians stranded abroad face financial crises
The strict border closure by the New Zealand government in response to the Covid-19 pandemic has undoubtedly taken a toll on hundreds of Kiwis and Kiwi Indians who remain stranded outside New Zealand. Those who are unable to come to New Zealand, be it due to the border restrictions or not getting the ever-elusive MIQ voucher, are facing mental stress as well as an increasing financial burden.
One such story is that of Kiwi Indian migrant Kunwarjeet Singh, who is currently stuck in India. Kunwarjeet, who works as an Operations Manager in Auckland, went to India on 14 March this year to meet his ailing grandmother, who unfortunately passed away on 24 March.
Sharing his story, Kunwarjeet, who is currently in Punjab, says, “I feel so helpless. I have a job in New Zealand, but I can't go. I tried getting a border exemption couple of times. But both the times was rejected by Immigration New Zealand. Despite having my work visa till October 2024, I can’t travel to New Zealand. It has been months that I am not earning anything. While staying in India, I am living off my savings, and unfortunately, I don't have much left. I am so stressed thinking about my financial situation.”
Another such unfortunate story is that of Jatinder Virdi, a migrant, who is facing similar financial hardships. Virdi, who is a registered plumber in New Zealand, travelled to India to meet his family in March. He intended his trip to be just six weeks long, but the border closure and the fact that India got placed on the high-risk countries list by the New Zealand government changed his plans.
He says, “I don't know when I will be able to travel to New Zealand and resume work. I have almost finished all my savings, and the financial pressure has started taking a toll on my health. Despite having no income for months now, I am paying all my expenses in New Zealand including the EMIs of my car in New Zealand as well as my NZ health insurance among other things. It is getting hard to survive like this.”
Ruby Singh is also among those trying hard to get back to New Zealand and facing financial problems owing to not being able to do so. “I had come to India to meet my mother, who was diagnosed with cancer in February this year. I had taken leave from my work as an administrative executive in Wellington to be with her.
“Fortunately, she is well now, and I want to go back to NZ, but I can't. My savings are almost over as there has been no income. Despite being in India, I am paying for the mortgage of my house in NZ as well as the instalment of my car and other expenses. The uncertainty of when I will be going back and the dropping finances are making me depressed.”
Health experts feel that with no income coming in, it gets extremely difficult to survive.
Psychotherapist Madhu Chandra, says, “Any financial burden can be very stressful and causes anxiety. Too much stress and anxiety take a toll on both physical and mental health. On top of it, we are living in a pandemic, therefore, the intensity of stress has multiplied. Moreover, It is difficult to work out financial problems when you are abroad. Each person's resilience to stress is different.
“Some people can feel isolated and alone which can lead to depression. The best way to deal with such a situation is to ask people for emotional support and financial advice as you may not be thinking clearly when under financial stress. Others can give you a clearer perspective of your options and choices and that can help in solving your problem. And don't lose hope. Remember this too shall pass.”
The strict border closure by the New Zealand government in response to the Covid-19 pandemic has undoubtedly taken a toll on hundreds of Kiwis and Kiwi Indians who remain stranded outside New Zealand. Those who are unable to come to New Zealand, be it due to the border restrictions or not getting...
The strict border closure by the New Zealand government in response to the Covid-19 pandemic has undoubtedly taken a toll on hundreds of Kiwis and Kiwi Indians who remain stranded outside New Zealand. Those who are unable to come to New Zealand, be it due to the border restrictions or not getting the ever-elusive MIQ voucher, are facing mental stress as well as an increasing financial burden.
One such story is that of Kiwi Indian migrant Kunwarjeet Singh, who is currently stuck in India. Kunwarjeet, who works as an Operations Manager in Auckland, went to India on 14 March this year to meet his ailing grandmother, who unfortunately passed away on 24 March.
Sharing his story, Kunwarjeet, who is currently in Punjab, says, “I feel so helpless. I have a job in New Zealand, but I can't go. I tried getting a border exemption couple of times. But both the times was rejected by Immigration New Zealand. Despite having my work visa till October 2024, I can’t travel to New Zealand. It has been months that I am not earning anything. While staying in India, I am living off my savings, and unfortunately, I don't have much left. I am so stressed thinking about my financial situation.”
Another such unfortunate story is that of Jatinder Virdi, a migrant, who is facing similar financial hardships. Virdi, who is a registered plumber in New Zealand, travelled to India to meet his family in March. He intended his trip to be just six weeks long, but the border closure and the fact that India got placed on the high-risk countries list by the New Zealand government changed his plans.
He says, “I don't know when I will be able to travel to New Zealand and resume work. I have almost finished all my savings, and the financial pressure has started taking a toll on my health. Despite having no income for months now, I am paying all my expenses in New Zealand including the EMIs of my car in New Zealand as well as my NZ health insurance among other things. It is getting hard to survive like this.”
Ruby Singh is also among those trying hard to get back to New Zealand and facing financial problems owing to not being able to do so. “I had come to India to meet my mother, who was diagnosed with cancer in February this year. I had taken leave from my work as an administrative executive in Wellington to be with her.
“Fortunately, she is well now, and I want to go back to NZ, but I can't. My savings are almost over as there has been no income. Despite being in India, I am paying for the mortgage of my house in NZ as well as the instalment of my car and other expenses. The uncertainty of when I will be going back and the dropping finances are making me depressed.”
Health experts feel that with no income coming in, it gets extremely difficult to survive.
Psychotherapist Madhu Chandra, says, “Any financial burden can be very stressful and causes anxiety. Too much stress and anxiety take a toll on both physical and mental health. On top of it, we are living in a pandemic, therefore, the intensity of stress has multiplied. Moreover, It is difficult to work out financial problems when you are abroad. Each person's resilience to stress is different.
“Some people can feel isolated and alone which can lead to depression. The best way to deal with such a situation is to ask people for emotional support and financial advice as you may not be thinking clearly when under financial stress. Others can give you a clearer perspective of your options and choices and that can help in solving your problem. And don't lose hope. Remember this too shall pass.”
Leave a Comment