Reconnecting New Zealand to the World (again)
The Government has announced a new, five-step approach to reopen New Zealand borders to the world. The key to this process is the removal of Managed Isolation and Quarantine for most travellers. MIQ will be replaced with self-isolation and tests on arrival. Note that mandatory MIQ will remain for unvaccinated travellers.
This new plan prioritises the reopening of certain key visa categories in a short timeframe in order to address worker shortages. New Zealand’s unemployment rate in early 2022 is just over 3%.
A new, five-stage approach to reopening New Zealand Borders
Updated 16 March 2021
| STEP | TIMING | TRAVELLERS |
|---|---|---|
| STEP 1 | From 11.59 pm, Sunday 27 February 2022 | NZ borders will reopen to New Zealanders and other eligible travellers (including Critical Purpose visa holders) under current border settings (e.g. people with border exceptions) from Australia |
| STEP 2 | From 11:59 pm, Sunday 13th March 2022 | Reopen to New Zealanders and other eligible travellers under current border settings from the rest of the world (from Friday 4th March)Open to skilled workers earning at least 1.5 times the median wage (NZ$40.50 per hour or NZD$84,240 annual salary)Open to Working Holiday Scheme visas |
| STEP 3 | From 11:59 pm, Tuesday 12 April 2022 | Open to Australian citizens and permanent residents arriving from anywhere in the world open to current offshore temporary visa holders, who can still meet the relevant visa requirements, Open to up to 5000 international students for semester two further class exceptions for critical workforces that do not meet the 1.5 times the median wage test will be considered from 11.59 pm, Sunday 1 MayOpen to visa-waiver travellers open to existing holders of visitor visas (including guardian visas). |
| STEP 4 | From July 2022 | The Accredited Employer Work Visa will open, meaning the skilled and health worker border exception can be phased out |
| STEP 5 | October 2022 | Border fully reopens to visitors from anywhere in the world, and all visa categories fully reopen. |
February and March 2022
No more MIQ
Eligible travellers will no longer need to stay in MIQ but self-isolation and regular testing on arrival will be required. Isolation requirements will go from 10 to 7 days and will be constantly reviewed.
Tests on arrival
Travellers arriving in New Zealand will be given three antigen tests at the airport, one for use on day 0/1, and one for use on day 5/6 (and one extra for backup). The goal is to continue identifying cases at the border to limit spread in the community.
Workers needed!
The Government is attempting to address the immense labour shortage and speed up economic recovery by bringing forward the reopening of a range of visa categories. The reopening of Working Holiday visa schemes as early as March is meant to alleviate the labour pressure on industries where these young workers are typically needed, ie tourism, hospitality, wine and horticultural sectors.
Critical workers process simplified
In March the process to secure a border exception as a Critical worker will be simplified and the requirements lowered. Skilled workers with job offer paying at least 1.5 times, instead of double, the median wage will be able to come in without the need to demonstrate that their skills aren’t readily obtainable in New Zealand. The threshold will equate to NZ$40.50 per hour or NZD$84,240 annual salary on a 40-hour week.
April to October 2022
More workers allowed to come in
Further class exceptions will be considered to allow a wide range of workers to come into New Zealand. Later, by July 2022, the Accredited Employer Work visa category will be implemented, which means the phasing out of the health worker border exception.
