COVID-19 immigration powers to be extended on Thursday, 6 May 2021


The Government’s temporary COVID-19 immigration rules have been prolonged to 2023, granting continued extensibility to support migrants,
manage the border and industries facing workers shortages.


The laws were originally authorised for 12 months. They have been extended to 15 May 2023 to ensure continued flexibility in the immigration policy.
The 2021 Amendment Act is almost alike to the 2020 Amendment Act, with only minor variations.


The Act allows temporary visa applications outside New Zealand to be postponed for up to six months, up from three months currently.


The Minister has used the laws to benefit classes of migrants 19 times, including:


elongating visas for 22,500 workers and family members, to give more assurance to them and their employers


providing 5,600 offshore resident visa holders with more time to come to New Zealand and activate their visa


extending 16,600 visitor visas, to give people more time to secure ways to return home, and providing all visitors with the opportunity to study or
attend school while here


extending 7,800 working holiday visas, and easing conditions, to allow holders to work in industries like horticulture, and
waiving certain application
requirements for transit passengers.