More than 1100 PSW Visa holders of Indian origin get visas

It has been a long wait for thousands of Post Study Work Visa (PSWV) holders who have been stuck offshore due to the border closing in March 2020 as a response to the Covid-19 pandemic by the government.

Finally, two weeks ago Immigration New Zealand sent emails to the eligible migrants confirming that they can come back to New Zealand effective from March 30, 2023.

Giving more details about the same, Michael Carley, Acting General Manager Border and Visa Operations, told the Indian Weekender, "The Minister of Immigration has granted 12-month Open Work Visas by special direction to eligible people who held a Post Study Work Visa but were unable to use it due to the border closing in March 2020. This applies to over 4,000 visa holders.”

He says that INZ recognises the impact the border restrictions had on individuals and their families, particularly people on temporary visas, and this special direction recognises that impact. “It is intended to reinstate the ability of former post-study work visa holders, who were offshore when the NZ's border restrictions came into place, to work in NZ,” he says.

When asked how many of those are Indian nationals, Carley said, "Of the 4000 visas, 1,141 are for those who hold Indian nationality.” This accounts for nearly 28 per cent of the total.

Carley also clarified that these Open Work Visas will be effective from March 30 2023, and will activate upon first entry to NZ. Visa holders will have six months from the date of issue to travel to NZ.

Ever since Michael Wood announced in December that PSWV holders stranded offshore would be given a year visa, there have been demands to expand the same for migrants who were on different visas such as partnership, essential skills or student and unfortunately got stranded offshore. However, there is no good news for them at the moment.

Carley confirms, "There are currently no plans to widen these criteria to include other visa types like student visas or partnership visas. NZ’s borders are now fully open, meaning other former visa holders can apply to work, visit and study using the visa categories best suited to them.”