Temporary-visa applications allowed from former quarantine-free travel zones

Policy effect

From May 7, 2021, people who were in, and intended to travel from, a country or territory that had ceased to be a COVID-19 quarantine-free travel zone were excepted from New Zealand’s suspension of offshore temporary-entry visa applications. The change allowed those people to apply; it did not itself grant a visa.

Official source excerpt

Quoted verbatim from the official source below. Ellipses indicate omitted text.

… on](#d15948641e212) | | | ## Regulations ##### 1 Title These regulations are the Immigration (Visa, Entry Permission, and Related Matters) Amendment (COVID-19—Applications) Regulations 2021. ##### 2 Commencement These regulations come into force on 7 May 2021. ##### 3 Principal regulations These regulations amend the [Immigration (Visa, Entry Permission, and Related Matters) Regulations 2010](https://classic.legislation.govt.nz/regulation/public/2021/0071/latest/link.aspx?id=DLM3148100). ##### 4 Regulation 9A amended (Suspension of ability to apply for certain visas) (1) Replace [regulation 9A … (1) (aa)](https://classic.legislation.govt.nz/regulation/public/2021/0071/latest/link.aspx?id=LMS408081#LMS408081) with: ##### (aa) is in, and intends to travel from,— ##### (i) a COVID-19 quarantine-free travel zone; or ##### (ii) a country or territory that has been, but is no longer, a COVID-19 quarantine-free travel zone; or (2) In [regulation 9A(1A)](https://classic.legislation.govt.nz/regulation/public/2021/0071/latest/link.aspx?id=LMS408081#LMS408081), replace "“**safe**”" with "“**quarantine-free**”". (3) In [regulation 9A(3) and (4)](https://classic.legislation.govt.nz/regulation/publ … e travel zone to the term COVID-19 quarantine-free travel zone, to more accurately reflect the nature of the travel zone; and - it allows a person to apply for a temporary entry class visa if they are in a country or territory that was, but is no longer, a COVID-19 quarantine-free travel zone; and - it extends, for a period of 3 months ending at the close of 6 August 2021, the suspension (with limited exceptions) of the ability of all persons who are outside New Zealand to apply for a temporary entry class visa. Issued under the authority of the [Legislation Act 2012](https://classic.legislati …

Review method

Two separate automated exact-claim source reviews

Other New Zealand changes operative in 2021

• 2021-04-27Prioritisation Rules for Onshore and Quarantine-Free Travel (QFT) Zone Visa Processing
• 2021-05-24Exclusion of Overnight Hours from Wage Calculations for Essential Skills and SMC Visas (Amendment Circular No. 2021-15)
• 2021-10-31Closure of Talent and Long Term Skill Shortage List Work Visas
• 2021-11-29Restriction of Compassionate Border Entry Exceptions