“Overseas partners of temporary migrant workers to be allowed in July,” Minister of Immigration clarifies
Minister of Immigration Kris Faafoi has once again told the Indian Weekender that overseas partners of currently onshore temporary migrant workers will be allowed to enter New Zealand in the fourth stage of the phased-border reopening plan in July 2022 – as stated earlier in an exclusive report by this publication on February 11.
This confirmation from the Minister's office should address all confusions and doubts emanating from the earlier reporting by the Indian Weekender where the Minister was quoted as saying that the overseas partners of currently onshore temporary migrant workers will be allowed in July.
In that Indian Weekender report, the Minister was quoted as saying, "From Step 4 (in July), short-term visitors from visa waiver countries will be able to enter New Zealand – enabling more people to be reunited, including eligible visitors who wish to come to New Zealand to live with their partner, in order to satisfy partnership visa requirements. Partnership visa processing will also commence in Step 4, for partners of work visa holders."
The Minister had then responded to the Indian Weekender's query about the palpable frustration within hundreds of temporary migrant workers and Kiwis who were being denied the ability to bring their overseas partners, while the government continued to prioritise tourists and travellers from the visa-free country ahead of them.
However, that comment had created some confusion and doubts within temporary migrant workers, where it was assumed that the Minister was talking about the overseas-based partners from visa-waiver countries that may not include the partners based in non-visa waiver countries such as India and other countries of South Asia.
Following those confusion and doubts raised with the Indian Weekender by the members of the community, the Minister's office was again reached with a more pointed follow-up question if it means that the government will be opening up Partnership Visa processing for all temporary migrants onshore (regardless of partners being from a visa-waiver country or otherwise, such as India) in Step 4 (July).
In response, the Minister's office had now clarified, "The visa processing of partners of workers will open at step 4 (July)."
This should clarify all doubts related to the earlier reporting by the Indian Weekender around the emotive issue of family reunification for temporary migrants.
"Partners of students will happen at Step 5 (October) if they require a visa to travel (ie, from a non-visa waiver country)," the Minister further added.
Temporary migrants earning 1.5 times median wage first in the queue
However, continuing the broad emphasis that this government has pursued since last four years of dividing the temporary migrant workers based on their wages and salaries, the Minister of Immigration told the Indian Weekender that those earning 1.5 times the median wages would be able to bring their overseas partners at stage 2 (March 13) – ahead of others.
"From Step 2 (March 13), temporary migrants who earn 1.5 times the median wage, under the expanded "Other Critical Worker" criteria, will be able to bring their partners and dependents to New Zealand. Also, anyone with a border exception or able to get one can travel to New Zealand and self-isolate, including people eligible under current family reunification border exceptions," Mr Faafoi said.
It is not clear yet when can overseas partners of Kiwis (New Zealand citizens) will be able to enter NZ.
Notably, Immigration New Zealand is reported to have said that the way they prioritise foreigners' entry into the country is based on requirements placed upon them for visa processing.
Minister of Immigration Kris Faafoi has once again told the Indian Weekender that overseas partners of currently onshore temporary migrant workers will be allowed to enter New Zealand in the fourth stage of the phased-border reopening plan in July 2022 – as stated earlier in an exclusive report by...
Minister of Immigration Kris Faafoi has once again told the Indian Weekender that overseas partners of currently onshore temporary migrant workers will be allowed to enter New Zealand in the fourth stage of the phased-border reopening plan in July 2022 – as stated earlier in an exclusive report by this publication on February 11.
This confirmation from the Minister's office should address all confusions and doubts emanating from the earlier reporting by the Indian Weekender where the Minister was quoted as saying that the overseas partners of currently onshore temporary migrant workers will be allowed in July.
In that Indian Weekender report, the Minister was quoted as saying, "From Step 4 (in July), short-term visitors from visa waiver countries will be able to enter New Zealand – enabling more people to be reunited, including eligible visitors who wish to come to New Zealand to live with their partner, in order to satisfy partnership visa requirements. Partnership visa processing will also commence in Step 4, for partners of work visa holders."
The Minister had then responded to the Indian Weekender's query about the palpable frustration within hundreds of temporary migrant workers and Kiwis who were being denied the ability to bring their overseas partners, while the government continued to prioritise tourists and travellers from the visa-free country ahead of them.
However, that comment had created some confusion and doubts within temporary migrant workers, where it was assumed that the Minister was talking about the overseas-based partners from visa-waiver countries that may not include the partners based in non-visa waiver countries such as India and other countries of South Asia.
Following those confusion and doubts raised with the Indian Weekender by the members of the community, the Minister's office was again reached with a more pointed follow-up question if it means that the government will be opening up Partnership Visa processing for all temporary migrants onshore (regardless of partners being from a visa-waiver country or otherwise, such as India) in Step 4 (July).
In response, the Minister's office had now clarified, "The visa processing of partners of workers will open at step 4 (July)."
This should clarify all doubts related to the earlier reporting by the Indian Weekender around the emotive issue of family reunification for temporary migrants.
"Partners of students will happen at Step 5 (October) if they require a visa to travel (ie, from a non-visa waiver country)," the Minister further added.
Temporary migrants earning 1.5 times median wage first in the queue
However, continuing the broad emphasis that this government has pursued since last four years of dividing the temporary migrant workers based on their wages and salaries, the Minister of Immigration told the Indian Weekender that those earning 1.5 times the median wages would be able to bring their overseas partners at stage 2 (March 13) – ahead of others.
"From Step 2 (March 13), temporary migrants who earn 1.5 times the median wage, under the expanded "Other Critical Worker" criteria, will be able to bring their partners and dependents to New Zealand. Also, anyone with a border exception or able to get one can travel to New Zealand and self-isolate, including people eligible under current family reunification border exceptions," Mr Faafoi said.
It is not clear yet when can overseas partners of Kiwis (New Zealand citizens) will be able to enter NZ.
Notably, Immigration New Zealand is reported to have said that the way they prioritise foreigners' entry into the country is based on requirements placed upon them for visa processing.
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