March Updates

Immigration New Zealand (INZ) has announced the launch of the Recovery Visa (a Specific Purpose Work Visa). The short-term visa allows New Zealand employers to hire migrant workers to help with the country’s emergency response and recovery after the damage caused by Cyclone Gabrielle.

This visa is intended for people coming to New Zealand for a short period for:

• Providing emergency response
• Immediate clean-up
• Assessing risk or loss
• Infrastructure, building and housing stabilization and/or repair (including planning functions)
• Work that directly supports the recovery (e.g. producing relevant material for road rebuild, transport drivers etc.)

The Visa will be valid for up to 6 months and the $700 fee will be refunded for successful applicants. INZ will aim to process applications for the Recovery Visa within a week. Employers will need to confirm that the role supports the North Island response to the extreme weather events. 

Migrants already in New Zealand who need to change their role and location will be able to do so without breaching their visa conditions for up to 2 months – provided they stay with their same employer. Those who want to change their employer will still need to apply for a Job Change or Variation of Conditions.
 

We will be happy to assist you with this new visa. Get in touch with us