New parent visa rules ‘discriminatory’
WELLINGTON: The Government’s new parent visa category is just for the rich and ‘‘blatantly discriminatory’’, an immigration adviser says.
And those who have been left in limbo with parents on the waiting list for years say it is still too early to celebrate.
Immigration Minister Iain LeesGalloway yesterday announced the Government would from February, 2020 restart the parent category visa programme, which allows parents to join adult children who have become residents or citizens and earn over a certain amount.
The previous government, in late 2016, temporarily closed the category, citing a growing cost to taxpayers and a need for a review. Immigration New Zealand has not considered applicants from the category since.
But the policy is returning with fish hooks.
Where previously a single earner had to make $65,000 a year to sponsor a parent, they will now need to earn $106,000 and about $159,000 if they want to bring two parents. That is three times the median New Zealand income.
A couple will have to earn more than $159,000 to be joined by one parent and $212,000 by two.
Auckland immigration adviser Gerard Cohen said while reopening the category was a positive step, the income thresholds were simply beyond most people on the waiting list, and ‘‘elitist’’.
‘‘It is blatantly discriminatory against poor people and against middleincome earners. They’re out,’’ he said.
‘‘It’s for the rich. It’s basically for the rich.’’
Mr Cohen said he would estimate that of those on the current waiting pool, about 70% to 80% would drop off.
The Government’s cap of 1000 parents a year was also too small, he said.
The Government has offered to refund the application fees of those who no longer qualify.
Despite the halt in 2016, about 2000 people had applied, paying fees of about $1 million by January this year.
The return of the policy came after reports it was caught up in negotiations with New Zealand First.
In a statement, Mr LeesGalloway said there had always been financial requirements and the policy was designed to attract and retain skilled migrants.
‘‘The presence of parents as part of the family is also linked to improved settlement and economic outcomes for their migrant children,’’ he said.