Thousands of overseas visa applications stalled
‘‘Tens of thousands, if not more’’ visa applications are sitting idle in overseas Immigration New Zealand (INZ) offices, as border restrictions prevent virtually all foreign nationals from entering the country.
While Covid-19 border exemptions are available, the ‘‘bar is set high’’, with INZ having ‘‘no ability to apply discretion’’ when considering these requests.
So far, more than 10,000 people have applied for an exemption, but only around 2000 have been successful.
Among the unlucky ones is South African national, primary school teacher Cameron Read, who doesn’t know when he will be reunited with his New Zealand citizen fiancee Peta Cooke.
The pair have not seen each other since March, and Cooke’s tears fall freely as she speaks about the pain she feels awaiting a decision on Read’s partnership work visa application.
‘‘It’s terrifying, to be honest with you. I’ve had to get medical help because I have just been in such a state,’’ Cooke said. ‘‘It’s the unknown. I just feel petrified.’’
Read applied for a border exemption on April 5, but his application was declined, INZ said. Border exemptions were granted only where people have a ‘‘critical purpose’’ for travelling here, with exceptions considered for the likes of essential health workers and for humanitarian reasons.
Born in South Africa, Cooke moved to New Zealand when she was 8, but returned to her birth land every year to visit her father. It was on one of these visits that the pair first met, both aged 12.
Too young to pursue a relationship, the pair officially began dating when they crossed paths again when Cooke was travelling and working abroad.
‘‘We did six months of long distance, and then I moved to South Africa to live with him with the intention of coming here as soon as we could because things there aren’t that great,’’ Cooke said.
In November, the couple filed the paperwork for their partnership visa, including evidence of their shared bank accounts and communication.
‘‘At the time, INZ said 50 per cent of the applications were completed within 35 days,’’ Cooke recalled.
Fast-forward six months and the pair has heard nothing concrete from INZ, receiving contradictory information from call centre staff, compounding a progressively stressful situation.
‘‘I don’t expect him to be on a plane tomorrow. I understand that the world is going through a crazy time, but they haven’t even said when the visa will be processed,’’ the Auckland resident said.
Cooke, a nurse, recognised the Covid19 pandemic had likely slowed down processing times, but the waiting, the indecision and the lack of clear communication is taking its toll. ‘‘Every time we call, it’s a different story ... it’s impacting my work and everything.
‘‘It’s hard because there’s not a lot of compassion from them,’’ she said.
INZ border and visa operations general manager Nicola Hogg said Read’s visa application was yet to be assessed because INZ is not processing any overseas applications without a border exemption.
‘‘Mr Read has never previously travelled to New Zealand and this is the first visa application INZ has received from him and the first time INZ has been able to assess the partnership.
‘‘Partners of a New Zealand citizen or resident must be travelling with the New Zealand citizen or resident to be able to enter New Zealand.
‘‘As Mr Read’s fiancee is already in New Zealand, he would not be travelling with her and therefore subject to the border restrictions,’’ Hogg said.
When asked why there had been no formal communication, an INZ spokeswoman said it was not normal process for applicants to be updated during the process, and applicants waiting for information should consult the INZ website.
INZ was unable to say when overseas offices would be reopened, and could not confirm when processing of applications would resume.
A decision to reopen the border sat with the Government.