Special Direction—Extension of Visas Held by a Class of Onshore Persons Whose Visas are Expiring to Manage Effects and Deal With Consequences of Measures Taken to Contain or Mitigate the Outbreak of COVID-19 or its Effects
Under section 78A of the Immigration Act 2009 (“Act”), by special direction, I extend the visas held by the following class of people:
Every person who:
Visas held by this class are extended for a period of six months from the date on which they would otherwise expire (for example, if a visa has the recorded expiry date of 31 January 2022, it will be extended to 30 July 2022 and expire on the beginning of 1 August 2022).
For the avoidance of doubt, visas that expire in accordance with section 63(2) of the Act are not included in the class of persons covered by this special direction. In addition, visas held by this class are extended once only by this special direction, and are not extended again if the extended expiry date falls within the period specified above.
I am satisfied that the making of this special direction is reasonably necessary to manage the effects, or deal with the consequences of, measures taken under the Act or any other enactment in New Zealand, and other measures taken elsewhere, to contain or mitigate the outbreak of COVID-19 or its effects. This special direction manages the ongoing effects on the labour market as a result of COVID-19, by allowing flexibility in immigration settings so that existing migrant workers can continue to fill labour shortages while border restrictions remain.
This special direction expires on 30 June 2022 unless revoked earlier.
Dated this 11th day of October 2021.
Hon KRIS FAAFOI, Minister of Immigration.
The effect of this special direction is to extend Working Holiday and Working Holidaymaker extension visas by six months from the date they would otherwise expire where the holder is in New Zealand on 1 November 2021 and the visa is due to expire between 21 December 2021 and 30 June 2022 (inclusive).