Immigration New Zealand had slowed down the processing of visa applications because of the last lockdown, as they need to work remotely from home. This has just put more stress on the people who are still waiting for their residency application outcome since the year 2019.
The first lockdown had served as a blessing for the country, but the recurring ones served as a shock for the economy, especially the last one, when it spread in the community and Auckland was immediately moved to alert level 3.
Here, we are not just talking about the residency application that are still getting processed since 2019 even though the application intake closed last year but also about other visas like work visa.
Perhaps work visa holders are the worst affected and are going through immensely at the moment. Even if they are residing in New Zealand or stuck outside the country. While the ones that could not make it in time before the borders closed are not given clear date, time etc. on when they can travel back, migrants holding skilled migrant work visa are not given clarity on what changes are in store for them.
Before, the skilled migrant work visa holder could submit expression of interest (EOI) once they met the income threshold and points set by immigration to invite them to apply for residency, but now they have stopped selecting EOIs and this category is set to be reviewed as stated by Immigration Minister Kris Faafoi.
According to the immigration lawyers and advisers’ discussions, the skilled migrant residency programme is set to have major changes like jump in the points (at present you need to have 160 points in order to qualify for the program) or increase in minimum income threshold (at present the threshold sits at $25.50 per hour) or both.
In present circumstances, where countries like Canada are allowing work visa holders residency permit, New Zealand might be planning to make rules tougher instead of relaxing them speaks volume on how this government treats its skilled work force. The government is already facing a backlash of not treating critical health care workers fairly, where their families are not allowed to reunite due to border restrictions.
It is hard to understand if this is governments indirect way to deter any further migrant intake or they are just struggling to take decisions with so much pressure from people. Because in one way or the other they are being totally unfair to many (be it international students, work visa holders, their dependent family members or even residents who wish to bring their partners from other countries)
The outcome of such indecisive action by the government is obvious, migrants are wanting to leave out of frustration and uncertainty. But the question arises that is the government being consciously sound when they are not paying much heed to immigration issues? Isn’t this the same government where it’s leader talks about showing kindness and compassion to each other when there is community Covid-19 spread or while speaking about Christchurch terror attack?
People want to know why is this just a talk and no action? There is amplified feeling of helplessness and hopelessness among migrants who have either spent thousands of dollars to come to New Zealand or have been here paying taxes since years like kiwis.
New Zealand immigration must take all the blame when people express the immigration system to be full of lies, empty promises, unanswered phone calls, also, humanitarian exemption applications not being responded. But they fail to understand that if the ruling government does not provide clarity or direction on what the future looks like for migrants then how is it supposed to accept or reject applications.
MP for East Coast Bay Erica Stanford, Migrant workers association of Aotearoa, Migrant Rights Network NZ, Union Network of Migrants NZ, groups like ANKA, many journalist and media firms are just to name a few those who are constantly trying to make the government realize that migrant lives matter.
At present, it is essential for migrants to stay united and make their voices heard so that the government is compelled to take the right decision. -TIN Bureau (Picture courtesy: RNZ)
“Tell Us Your Story!
We are asking people what their story or situation is with regards to immigration. Since the pandemic, situations across the world have changed, we need more compassion and empathy from Immigration New Zealand when it comes to visa status for people who wish to stay and work for the betterment of New Zealand.
Contact us on editor@indiannews.co.nz or message us on our Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter handle. Let your voices be heard!”