What is a Critical Purpose Visitor Visa in New Zealand?
The pandemic has altered every aspect of our life that we used to take for granted. It has not only destroyed our economies and affected crucial activities worldwide but also given us a valuable lesson about the importance of making changes in response to that. For the purpose of ensuring the safety and well-being of its citizens, the New Zealand government closed its border quicker than its counterparts. Still, at the same time, it implemented several changes to allow foreign nationals to enter New Zealand as an exceptional measure. Among these are the automatic extensions for visitor visas and work visas and the introduction of the Critical Purpose Visitor Visa.
What is a New Zealand Critical Purpose Visitor Visa?
- Any national may visit New Zealand if they have a crucial purpose set by Immigration New Zealand, thanks to the Critical Purpose Visitor Visa. The visa allows you to stay in New Zealand for a period of up to 12 months. The following are the eligibility requirements you should keep in mind when applying for a Critical Purpose Visa for New Zealand.
Who may qualify for a Critical Purpose Visitor Visa?
To start with your NZ visitor visa application, you must be one of the criteria set by Immigration New Zealand, including;
- Critical health workers and their partners and dependent children
- Time-bound critical workers
- People belonging to a class exception, such as nominated international students
- Some partners and children of New Zealand citizens/residents
- Citizens of Samoa and Tonga who have been nominated by their governments and whose journey has been authorised by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade.
- People who are granted on the compassionate and humanitarian ground
- Replacement crew for a cargo ship arrives by air
- Some partners or dependent children of visitor/work/student visa holders
- Partners and children of teachers
- Compassionate entry
How can I apply for a Critical Purpose Visitor Visa?
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You cannot directly apply for a Critical Purpose Visitor Visa!
The visa application process requires first completing a request for travel to New Zealand form. If it is successful, you will receive an official invitation to apply for a Critical Purpose Visitor Visa.
Even if you were granted a visa for New Zealand before the border closure, you still need to be granted a Critical Purpose Visitor Visa to enter New Zealand while the border is closed due to Covid.
After receiving the invitation to apply, you will need to submit a more detailed reason for a critical visit with supporting documents by the due date.
Getting an invitation to apply does not guarantee a Critical Purpose Visitor Visa.
How long does it take to process a Critical Purpose Visitor Visa to New Zealand?
Within five working days, the applicant should get an outcome of their expression of interest.
Critical Purpose Visitor Visa application processing typically takes more time than processing an expression of interest. There is no set processing time, but if you act quickly with more persuasive evidence, you will likely be granted an outcome soon.
Bottomline
When visiting New Zealand from abroad during the Covid pandemic era, things do seem a little bleak. However, you must arm yourself with the most recent updates and immigration policy and announcements to plan your stay in New Zealand, especially in these difficult times. It is highly advisable to let a reliable immigration professional do the job if you are serious about getting any visa to New Zealand.
To learn more about Critical Purpose Visa NZ, schedule a consultation with our immigration adviser. He will happily guide you through the whole procedure as smoothly as possible while maximising the odds of obtaining your visa.
Note: Upon the complete opening of our border, the Critical Purpose Visitor Visa is now closed (added on June 2023)
Contact Us
To address all of your worries, we will work with you. Contact us to receive professional immigration law advice or to have us represent you. Visitors must have an appointment.