Newsflash: Afghan Emergency Resettlement Visa announced
07 October 2021
At Idesi Legal we have fielded a lot of inquiries from family members of those who are citizens of Afghanistan or those who have family left in Afghanistan. Since the end of the initial evacuation we have been waiting for solutions to this developing humanitarian crisis. With this in mind there is news today which will be welcome news to some in the community.
The New Zealand government has announced the creation of the Afghan Emergency Resettlement Visa to allow recent evacuees from Afghanistan to stay permanently in New Zealand.
Who can apply?
Three groups of evacuees are elligible for the Afghan Emergency Resettlement Visa.
All applicants must:
- be an Afghan citizen,
- have been in Afghanistan on 15 August 2021,
- be in New Zealand when they submit their application.
What about family still in Afghanistan?
Partners and dependents who are not in New Zealand, and who don’t meet the eligibility criteria, may still be able to make a separate application under the partnership and dependent child category.
Will it be easy?
Immigration New Zealand will do a full assessment of whether you meet the above criteria. They will also check if you meet health and character requirements under Residency Instructions.
We highly recommend that you obtain legal advice before submitting your Residence application.
What more can be done?
At Idesi Legal we welcome these changes. They are an appropriate humanitarian response to the crisis as it is and provides a permanent solution to those the New Zealand government has evacuated.
However to thousands of New Zealanders it does not provide a solution for them.
It is hoped that a solution which allows for families of Afghan community members to come to New Zealand will be given full consideration and be implemented at the earliest possible opportunity.
If any of the above raises questions – please contact Idesi Legal for further information.
