Search
Contact
Login
Share this article
IMPACT – HIGH
Foreigners seeking entry to New Zealand as an exception to the border closures face a new process and lodgment fees. Additionally, offshore visas will be suspended.
Key points:
Background: New Zealand closed its borders to non-citizens in March and has among the world’s strictest entry requirements.
Analysis & Comments: The response to the COVID-19 pandemic continues to develop, and Deloitte will provide additional updates as information becomes available. Please check Deloitte’s COVID-19 Digital Map, available here, for information on travel restrictions and immigration changes in other countries.
Rest of World Source: Deloitte. Deloitte refers to one or more of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited (“DTTL”), its global network of member firms, and their related entities. DTTL (also referred to as “Deloitte Global”) and each of its member firms are legally separate and independent entities. DTTL does not provide services to clients. Please see www.deloitte.com/about to learn more. Deloitte Legal means the legal practices of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited member firms or their affiliates that provide legal services. For legal, regulatory and other reasons, not all member firms provide legal services. This includes Deloitte Tax LLP in the United States which does not provide legal and/or immigration advice or services. This communication contains general information only, and none of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited, its member firms or their related entities (collectively, the “Deloitte network”) is, by means of this communication, rendering professional advice or services. Before making any decision or taking any action that may affect your finances or your business, you should consult a qualified professional adviser. No entity in the Deloitte network shall be responsible for any loss whatsoever sustained by any person who relies on this communication. © 2020. For information, contact Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited.
IMPACT – MEDIUM
New Zealand recently announced it will soon change the way it assesses the skill level of jobs for essential skills work visas.
Key Points:
Background: The removal of ANZSCO for the assessment of Essential Skills work visa applications is part of the wider changes to employer assisted work visas that are due to be introduced by INZ in mid-2021. Analysis & Comments: Employers should note the assessment changes and prepare accordingly.
As of June 18, there will be an additional border exemption for “other essential workers.”
Analysis & Comments: Strict quarantine rules remain for anyone coming into New Zealand. Workers and their families must secure a place in managed isolation or quarantine for 14 days, and the worker or employer must cover the costs. Employers who believe they have an employee who may be eligible for border exemptions under the “other essential workers” category should contact Deloitte for a detailed assessment. If eligible, a border exemption application must be submitted to Immigration New Zealand (INZ).
The response to the COVID-19 pandemic continues to develop, and Deloitte will provide additional updates as information becomes available. Please check Deloitte’s COVID-19 Digital Map, available here, for information on travel restrictions and immigration changes in other countries.
Rest of World Source: Deloitte. Deloitte refers to one or more of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited (“DTTL”), its global network of member firms, and their related entities. DTTL (also referred to as “Deloitte Global”) and each of its member firms are legally separate and independent entities. DTTL does not provide services to clients. Please see www.deloitte.com/about to learn more. Deloitte Legal means the legal practices of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited member firms or their affiliates that provide legal services. For legal, regulatory and other reasons, not all member firms provide legal services. This includes Deloitte Tax LLP in the United States which does not provide legal and/or immigration advice or services. This communication contains general information only, and none of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited, its member firms or their related entities (collectively, the “Deloitte network”) is, by means of this communication, rendering professional advice or services. Before making any decision or taking any action that may affect your finances or your business, you should consult a qualified professional adviser. No entity in the Deloitte network shall be responsible for any loss whatsoever sustained by any person who relies on this communication.
The government announced additional transit guidelines for foreign nationals seeking to return to their countries of residence.
Background: New Zealand announced several transit measures in late March. For more information on the transit policy, visit the New Zealand government’s COVID-19 website.
Analysis & Comments: The response to the COVID-19 pandemic continues to develop, and Deloitte will provide additional updates as information becomes available.
The government of Malaysia has extended the movement control order (MCO) it implemented earlier this month to mitigate the spread of COVID-19. The temporary MCO will continue to be in force until April 14.
Analysis & Comments: Employers must continue to be prepared for significant disruptions to all but essential business and government functions. The response to the COVID-19 pandemic continues to develop, and Deloitte will provide additional updates as information becomes available.
As of 11:59 p.m., March 19, New Zealand has closed its borders to foreign nationals to mitigate the spread of COVID-19.
Additional information: Affected travelers must have boarded their flight by 11:59 p.m., March 19. Immigration New Zealand may make exceptions for humanitarian reasons, health and other essential workers, Samoan and Tongan citizens traveling for essential reasons, and visa holders who normally reside in New Zealand and are the partner or dependent of a temporary work or student visa holder.
Immigration New Zealand (INZ) is working with the Ministry of Health and other government agencies to manage the COVID-19 outbreak. These restrictions will be reviewed in 14 days.
Analysis & Comments: Employers should anticipate that the entry ban will significantly disrupt business activity and employee mobility. The response to the COVID-19 pandemic continues to develop, and Deloitte will provide additional updates as information becomes available.
Source: Deloitte. Deloitte refers to one or more of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited (“DTTL”), its global network of member firms, and their related entities. DTTL (also referred to as “Deloitte Global”) and each of its member firms are legally separate and independent entities. DTTL does not provide services to clients. Please see www.deloitte.com/about to learn more. Deloitte Legal means the legal practices of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited member firms or their affiliates that provide legal services. For legal, regulatory and other reasons, not all member firms provide legal services. This communication contains general information only, and none of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited, its member firms or their related entities (collectively, the “Deloitte network”) is, by means of this communication, rendering professional advice or services. Before making any decision or taking any action that may affect your finances or your business, you should consult a qualified professional adviser. No entity in the Deloitte network shall be responsible for any loss whatsoever sustained by any person who relies on this communication. © 2020. For information, contact Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited.
New Zealand has begun requiring almost all international travelers to self-isolate upon arrival. The change is one of a handful of measures New Zealand has implemented to mitigate the spread of the COVID-19 virus.
The current restrictions are as follows:
Analysis & Comments: The New Zealand government will review the new restrictions in 16 days. Employers should account for affected travelers and rearrange travel schedules accordingly. Significant delays may also occur at this time for consular and in-country processing.Source: Deloitte. Deloitte refers to one or more of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited (“DTTL”), its global network of member firms, and their related entities. DTTL (also referred to as “Deloitte Global”) and each of its member firms are legally separate and independent entities. DTTL does not provide services to clients. Please see www.deloitte.com/about to learn more. Deloitte Legal means the legal practices of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited member firms or their affiliates that provide legal services. For legal, regulatory and other reasons, not all member firms provide legal services. This communication contains general information only, and none of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited, its member firms or their related entities (collectively, the “Deloitte network”) is, by means of this communication, rendering professional advice or services. Before making any decision or taking any action that may affect your finances or your business, you should consult a qualified professional adviser. No entity in the Deloitte network shall be responsible for any loss whatsoever sustained by any person who relies on this communication. © 2020. For information, contact Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited.
What is the change? Immigration New Zealand (INZ) has announced that visa processing delays are expected following the closure of its Beijing visa processing office.
What does the change mean? INZ is transferring incoming visa applications from its Beijing office to other offices and has relocated immigration officers who normally work on Essential Skills visas to assist in processing visitor and student visa applications. As a result, INZ expects that this will increase the overall visa processing times of Essential Skills Work Visa applications.
Background: The Beijing office, which processes roughly 10,000 applications weekly, closed temporarily on Jan. 24 amid coronavirus concerns. The closure resulted in a reduction of 130 immigration officers who process visas.
Analysis & Comments: Although INZ has assigned 50 immigration officers who normally work on Essential Skills visas to process visitor and student visas from the Beijing office, they are currently facing a two-week backlog of over 13,000 applications. Essential Skills visa applications are currently taking 10 days to be allocated to an officer for processing, but could take up to six weeks, depending on developments in the coming weeks. Employers must be prepared to be flexible with employee schedules and start dates for employees who are affected by travel restrictions and delays. Deloitte will alert clients to additional changes or restrictions as information becomes available.
What is the change? The government has banned entry for all foreign nationals traveling from, or transiting through, mainland China.
What does the change mean? Residents of mainland China, as well as foreign nationals who have traveled in or transited through mainland China since Feb. 2, are barred from entering New Zealand.
Implementation time frame: The restrictions took effect Feb. 2 and will remain in effect until they are lifted by the New Zealand government.
Analysis & Comments: The government has suspended entry for all foreign nationals traveling from or transiting through mainland China since Feb. 2. Further, it has temporarily closed the Immigration New Zealand office in Beijing. Employers should expect significant mobility delays for employees and business visitors coming from or via mainland China. The response to the coronavirus continues to evolve, and Deloitte will alert clients to additional changes or restrictions as information becomes available.
Source: Deloitte. Deloitte refers to one or more of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited (“DTTL”), its global network of member firms, and their related entities. DTTL (also referred to as “Deloitte Global”) and each of its member firms are legally separate and independent entities. DTTL does not provide services to clients. Please see www.deloitte.com/about to learn more. Deloitte Legal means the legal practices of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited member firms or their affiliates that provide legal services. For legal, regulatory and other reasons, not all member firms provide legal services. This communication contains general information only, and none of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited, its member firms or their related entities (collectively, the “Deloitte network”) is, by means of this communication, rendering professional advice or services. Before making any decision or taking any action that may affect your finances or your business, you should consult a qualified professional adviser. No entity in the Deloitte network shall be responsible for any loss whatsoever sustained by any person who relies on this communication. © 2019. For information, contact Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited.
What is the change? New Zealand is poised to increase income thresholds for Skilled Migrant Resident Visas and Essential Skills Work Visas.
What does the change mean? The salary thresholds will increase by 2% across the board on Feb. 24. The exact amounts vary depending on the type of visa, job category and skill level, as detailed below.
Additional information: The new thresholds are based on the country’s median salary of NZ$25.50 per hour or NZ$53,040 per year for a 40-hour work week.
Skilled Migrant Resident Visas (all figures in New Zealand dollars):
* Some occupations at ANZSCO skill levels 4 and 5 are treated as an exception. From Feb. 24, the threshold for skilled employment for these occupations will be $25.50 per hour ($53,040 per year) or above
Essential Skills Work Visas (all figures in New Zealand dollars):
Analysis & Comments: Employers should budget for the increase as needed. The new income thresholds affect only applications received by Immigration New Zealand on or after Feb. 24. The changes do not affect current visa holders or (1) Essential Skills Work Visa applications received before Feb. 24 or (2) Skilled Migrant Residence Visas for which the Expression of Interest has been selected before Feb. 24.