May 13 2021 New Zealand Immigration Service has issued a notice to continue the suspension of temporary visa applications overseas for three months, Sky News reported.
On August 10, 2020, the government suspended the application of temporary categories of visas (including visitor visas, work visas, student visas, etc.) for overseas applicants, the agency said. This suspension application period expires on 7 May 2021. The Government has now decided to extend the suspension period for a further three months, meaning that most temporary visa applications for persons outside New Zealand will remain suspended until 6 August 2021.
The Immigration Department will reject visa applications from individuals who do not meet the current entry conditions, but the suspension order will not be affected if the applicant meets the entry exemption criteria or is in a country that is in a country free of segregation with New Zealand.
In addition, from 27 April 2021, applicants in countries with which New Zealand is exempt from segregation may receive the same priority as applicants of the same type in New Zealand when applying for a resident category visa.
Currently, the first priorities for New Zealand Immigration to process resident visas are:
Resident visa applicants in New Zealand or countries with which New Zealand is free of segregation will receive further priority rights for skilled immigration applicants and job-transfer residents with an hourly wage of twice the median or for registered occupations
Family resident visa applications for spouses and dependent children
COVID-19 Residence Support category visa applications
Resident visa conditions change, residents to permanent residence visa application
Talented workers sign up for Permanent Residence, Christchurch Response Program, Global Impact Visa Application
Overseas applicants who do not meet the above priority criteria are second priority when applying for a resident visa.
