The short answer is that you will only be allowed to emigrate to New Zealand if you are deemed to be travelling for a critical purpose. So, if you and your family have gone through the lengthy process to make the move from South Africa, you might have to be patient for a while longer if you or your spouse are not critical workers in the health, construction, civil engineering, veterinary, and horticultural fields. The global pandemic has brought international borders to a stand-still in an attempt to curb the spread of the disease and we understand that this might be a frustrating and stressful time for families who are desperate for international travel to resume. There is, however, a lot you can be doing during this time to get a headstart with your application and to be ready for borders reopening.

While some countries have slowly started to re-open their borders for international travel, the regulations and directives are rapidly changing as governments keep tabs on the infection rate in their own countries and others. New Zealand clamped down in a decisive move from the early days of the pandemic, immediately closing all borders in an attempt to eliminate the virus entirely. 

Latest information on emigrating to New Zealand

• New Zealand’s border is still closed to anyone who is not a New Zealand citizen or resident. Use this time wisely to get a headstart in your application to get al your documents ready.
• Immigration New Zealand (INZ) offices are open but the processing of visas for critical workers are being prioritised.
• Selections for Expressions of Interest in the Skilled Migrant Category and the Parent Category have been postponed.
• The processing of residence visa applications resumed on 14 May 2020. Applications relating to individuals who are in New Zealand are being prioritised.
• International visa application processing is still on hold and will remain in the queue until border restrictions are lifted.

If you would like to discuss whether you will be able to emigrate to New Zealand during Covid-19, get in touch with our team at Tri-Nations Migration today.