Black Cap Conway fast-tracked for visa
Immigration NZ fast-tracked residency for South African-born New Zealand cricketer Devon Conway after it was deemed a matter of national interest.
It means that the big-hitting batsman can now tour to England safe in the knowledge he will be able to return to his new home, Wellington, at the tour’s end.
Immigration advisers have confirmed the criteria that allowed Conway to get New Zealand residency also sees civil engineers getting lower priority to live in New Zealand than real estate agents.
At the root of it is Immigration NZ’s (INZ) Employment Visa Escalation (EVE) process which means that the government department will urgently look at visas for temporary workers and skilled residents for some applicants and associated family members if they meet certain criteria: compelling personal circumstances, humanitarian factors, or for matters of national interest.
It also prioritises professions with registration bodies – such as the Teaching Council – or people earning at least $106,080 per year, or $51 per hour.
News of Conway’s fasttracked process comes as families remain divided by New Zealand’s Covid-tightened borders, which this week tightened further still as a temporary suspension was put on arrivals from India, where the virus is raging. But the Government has previously allowed entry exemptions for some foreigners, including America’s Cup teams and backers, the Wiggles, and film crews.
But those exemptions can only be applied for by those out of New Zealand, meaning Conway would have had to leave New Zealand uncertain of being accepted back.
Jeannie Melville, from INZ, said Conway and his partner applied for priority allocation of their skilled migrant visas. It was supported by NZ Cricket and the NZ Cricket Players’ Association.
‘‘One of the three criteria that an EVE is considered under is matters of national interest,’’ she said.
‘‘Based on the submissions received, INZ determined that Devon Conway’s situation merited priority allocation.
‘‘This was based on his likely inclusion in the national squad ahead of its upcoming tour to the United Kingdom and the fact that Conway would have been unable to return to New Zealand on his current work visa.’’ The fasttracked visas were granted on March 29.
Conway applied for residency last year but was told there was an eight-month delay in processing applications due to Covid-19.
Conway was named on Thursday in the Black Caps 20-man squad for the England tour, and is highly likely to make his test debut at Lord’s on June 2, and play in the World Test Championship final against India on June 18.
Conway was one of the team’s standout players this season.
Cricket NZ said Conway would not comment.