Border closures and exceptions
#1
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Joined: Jan 2017
Location: Cardiff -->Gold Coast via NZ
Posts: 54
Border closures and exceptions
Hi,
Has anyone had recent experience of travelling to NZ and applying for an exception? We are currently based in the UK and are looking to spend Christmas/Summer holidays in NZ with family there as we have experienced a bereavement this year and want to be together. I am a NZ citizen so I understand the border closure doesn't apply to me even though I'm not a resident. My wife is British/former Australian Permanent Resident and my children are dual British/Australian, do I have to apply for exceptions for them? What about my mother-in-law (British citizen), would she be eligible for an exception?
I'm aware of the 14 day quarantine requirement which we are willing to do to prevent bringing COVID into NZ.
Thanks.
Has anyone had recent experience of travelling to NZ and applying for an exception? We are currently based in the UK and are looking to spend Christmas/Summer holidays in NZ with family there as we have experienced a bereavement this year and want to be together. I am a NZ citizen so I understand the border closure doesn't apply to me even though I'm not a resident. My wife is British/former Australian Permanent Resident and my children are dual British/Australian, do I have to apply for exceptions for them? What about my mother-in-law (British citizen), would she be eligible for an exception?
I'm aware of the 14 day quarantine requirement which we are willing to do to prevent bringing COVID into NZ.
Thanks.
#2
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: Jun 2005
Location: In a large village called Auckland
Posts: 5,249
Re: Border closures and exceptions
Best to take advice from official sources:
https://www.immigration.govt.nz/abou...New%20Zealand.
It seems your wife and any kids under 19 can travel without exception, if they already have visas due to relationship with you and provided thet have already travelled to NZ before on said visas. I believe they would need to be able to demonstrate critical purpose to travel.
I don't really fancy your chances of gaining an exception but of course things may change. There's many heartbreaking stories in the media with people having applied and been declined multiple times. Quarantine accommodation is also said to be maxed out and a lot of talk also in this space about charging incoming folks to pay for the 14 days accommodation and testing.
https://www.immigration.govt.nz/abou...New%20Zealand.
It seems your wife and any kids under 19 can travel without exception, if they already have visas due to relationship with you and provided thet have already travelled to NZ before on said visas. I believe they would need to be able to demonstrate critical purpose to travel.
I don't really fancy your chances of gaining an exception but of course things may change. There's many heartbreaking stories in the media with people having applied and been declined multiple times. Quarantine accommodation is also said to be maxed out and a lot of talk also in this space about charging incoming folks to pay for the 14 days accommodation and testing.
#3
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Joined: Jul 2007
Location: bottom of the world
Posts: 4,533
Re: Border closures and exceptions
https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-ad...y-requirements
I think you may be allowed in although I think it goes against the intention of the ruling as only you are a returning kiwi, and you are not actually returning are you. You would be using your status to bring in others with the intention of having a holiday.
I think you may be allowed in although I think it goes against the intention of the ruling as only you are a returning kiwi, and you are not actually returning are you. You would be using your status to bring in others with the intention of having a holiday.
Last edited by Justcol; Jul 28th 2020 at 9:42 am.
#4
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Joined: Jan 2017
Location: Cardiff -->Gold Coast via NZ
Posts: 54
Re: Border closures and exceptions
Thank you both for those links, that answers my question then.
I'll keep checking those websites for any updates between now and the end of the year, but I doubt anything will change.
Australia has already started passing on the costs for quarantining to visitors so I suspect NZ will do the same soon.
I'll keep checking those websites for any updates between now and the end of the year, but I doubt anything will change.
Australia has already started passing on the costs for quarantining to visitors so I suspect NZ will do the same soon.
#6
Re: Border closures and exceptions
I was able to get an exemption to get back to Nz (I'm Australian) and an essential health worker and already a resident in Nz but got locked down in Oz when I went there for work experience before this all escalated in March. I had to apply to leave Oz as our borders are still closed as well.
I chose to stay in Oz until the Trans Tasman bubble eventually re opens as my adult daughters live in Oz and I want to be able to move freely over the Tasman as I previously did as I'm their only parent.
I had to give up my rental and job but Nz isn't going anywhere, as frustrating as it is..
I chose to stay in Oz until the Trans Tasman bubble eventually re opens as my adult daughters live in Oz and I want to be able to move freely over the Tasman as I previously did as I'm their only parent.
I had to give up my rental and job but Nz isn't going anywhere, as frustrating as it is..
#8
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Joined: Jul 2007
Location: Wellington, New Zealand
Posts: 389
Re: Border closures and exceptions
#9
Home and Happy
Joined: Dec 2002
Location: Keep true friends and puppets close, trust no-one else...
Posts: 93,814
Re: Border closures and exceptions
https://uk.embassy.gov.au/lhlh/covid19faq.html#states
Last edited by Pollyana; Jul 29th 2020 at 2:57 am.
#10
Re: Border closures and exceptions
Most states are already charging people entering Australia, not just visitors, but everyone. Qld was the first, they started weeks ago. Some states are also charging for quarantine when crossing state borders.
https://uk.embassy.gov.au/lhlh/covid19faq.html#states
https://uk.embassy.gov.au/lhlh/covid19faq.html#states
#11
Re: Border closures and exceptions
I must say that I also think it fair to charge however I feel the charge to be somewhat steep. It isn't fair for the taxpayers to continue to shoulder the burden of this. Those that seek to enter after many years away and who will likely leave again or those seeking to travel in for purposes other than settling should pay their own way as a part of the travel costs. Those that are trying to repatriate permanently and who have been held up for some reason should not have to pay I feel .
As I understand it the border closure applies to everyone at the moment. All must do the 14 days of managed quarantine and quite rightly so imo. The OP has stated they are happy to do the two weeks upon entry to NZ. Question for him is the 2 weeks possible quarantine upon returning to his country of residence.
#12
Re: Border closures and exceptions
When I do get back to the good old South Island I'll pay if that's required but it's different for me as I'm single and it's just little old me (not sure when miss 19 is/if coming) but I can understand it's quite hefty for a family..
#13
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: Jun 2005
Location: In a large village called Auckland
Posts: 5,249
Re: Border closures and exceptions
So decision has been made today $3100 per room and $950 for each extra adult and $475 per child - returning permanent residents and citizens intending to stay longer than 90 days or intending permanent settlement back in NZ will not pay. However, anyone who leaves NZ from now onwards and comes back will pay.
#14
Re: Border closures and exceptions
So decision has been made today $3100 per room and $950 for each extra adult and $475 per child - returning permanent residents and citizens intending to stay longer than 90 days or intending permanent settlement back in NZ will not pay. However, anyone who leaves NZ from now onwards and comes back will pay.
#15
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Location: bottom of the world
Posts: 4,533
Re: Border closures and exceptions
i still feel it is unfair to charge for isolation without back dating it and charging EVERY ONE who has returned since March