Key Takeaways:
- Over 12,000 parents await New Zealand resident visas, with only 500 approved in the past year.
- The new parent visa policy aims to clear the backlog in 3-4 years, showing gradual improvement.
- Families face emotional and financial challenges, with proposed solutions including temporary renewable visas and adjustments to the existing system.
Thousands of Parents Still Waiting for Resident Visas in New Zealand
Families in New Zealand are frustrated with the prolonged delays and the lottery system that impacts their chances of bringing their overseas parents to join them permanently. As of now, approximately 12,000 parents of residents and citizens are in the queue, with only 500 individuals approved to apply in the past year. This issue primarily affects those who submitted applications during a period when the parent resident visas were suspended from 2016.
Why Are Families Still Waiting for Resident Visas?
When former Immigration Minister Michael Wood introduced the new parent visa policy in October 2022, he estimated that clearing the backlog of more than 8500 parents would take three to four years. However, by November 2023, the situation showed improvement due to various factors like changed circumstances and withdrawn applications resulted in all registered expressions of interest (EOIs) being selected and invited to apply.
Stories of Family Reunification Amidst Challenges
Natasha Telles’ Father’s Journey
Natasha Telles’ father, Derek, received his parent resident visa in March after an eight-year wait. Natasha applied before she had children, and Derek finally arrived last month. Reflecting on their long journey, she shared:
“We’re all kind of still pinching ourselves. My children are now eight and six, and my six-year-old walks around school, saying ‘my Papa’s here for ever and ever,'” Natasha said.
Tragically, her mother Anne passed away during the wait, and Natasha could only attend her funeral virtually due to Covid-19 border restrictions.
“There’s another family we know who has been on a similar journey, also ended up losing a parent in the process, because that’s just how long it took,” Natasha added.
What Are the Drawbacks of the Current Lottery System?
Raina Vermani’s Experience and Frustrations
Raina Vermani, who hoped to bring her Indian parents-in-law to New Zealand, encountered significant hurdles with the system. Her 10-year-old daughter was a toddler when the parent visa category closed, but when a new ballot opened last year, most spots went to prior applicants due to an annual cap of 2500. This cap left many families in a quarterly ballot where only a handful — 100 to 200 people — were selected at a time.
Raina faces additional financial burdens, with fees ranging from $430 to $550 if her parents-in-law remain unsuccessful in the subsequent ballots.
“We helped them, right, they wanted our vote and we gave it to them, we listened to the promises they made and we believed in them. And now we feel like ‘oh well, so now we’re not a priority.’ And they don’t even talk about it. So it is quite frustrating,” Raina expressed.
Proposed Solutions to Improve Family Reunification
David Cooper’s Insights on the Ballot System
David Cooper, Malcolm Pacific Immigration’s chief executive, commented on the challenges stemming from the lottery system and the high salary requirements for child sponsors. He suggested that the coalition government’s proposed five-year renewable visa could be an effective temporary solution.
“There’s been tinkering around the edges, the salary for the child sponsor has gone through the roof,” said Cooper. He further added, “I think there’s a whole lot of factors that are at play and I think that temporary visa would take a whole lot of pressure away and that would then give the government time to sit back and say well, is the current parent category actually fit for purpose? Should we be even playing in the sandpit in the first place, should we even have a parent category? And if we should have what should it look like?”
What Can Pending Applicants Expect?
Syed Khurram Iqbal’s Current Status
Syed Khurram Iqbal, an Environment Hearing Commissioner and Justice of the Peace, managed to reach the visa application stage last December. However, he remains uncertain about the timeline for a final decision.
“They should update the latest information. I have no idea how much the total [visa] count is for this financial year, which is going to be close to 30th of June. And in the current scenario, what is the average processing time?” Iqbal questioned.
Immigration New Zealand’s Official Stance
According to Jock Gilray, Immigration New Zealand’s visa director, the annual figure of 2500 parents approved is an upper limit, rather than a set quota. For the current financial year, nearly 2500 individuals have been approved in principle, with 2100 actual visas issued.
Alternative Options for Family Reunification
While families wait for a more permanent solution, there are temporary options available. Parents can stay in New Zealand for up to six months at a time, totaling 18 months over three years. Additionally, wealthier families might consider the parent retirement visa, which requires significant investment of assets.
To know more about the specific details of visas and current immigration policies, you can visit the official New Zealand Immigration website. It provides authoritative information and the latest updates relevant to family reunification and resident visas.
What Can You Do?
If you or someone you know is navigating the long wait for parent resident visas, consider taking these actionable steps:
- Stay Informed: Regularly check the official Immigration New Zealand site for updates on processing times and new policies.
- Join Support Groups: Engage with communities and forums where other families share their experiences and updates.
- Consider Temporary Options: Look into temporary visa options for parents to visit and stay in New Zealand while awaiting a more permanent solution.
- Legal Advice: Consult with immigration lawyers or consultants who can provide expert guidance tailored to your specific situation.
- Financial Planning: Be prepared for additional costs involved in the application process and explore financial resources or assistance if available.
The journey toward family reunification in New Zealand is challenging but not impossible. By staying informed, prepared, and united, families can better navigate the complexities of the immigration system.
Remember, each family’s experience is unique, and while the process may be slow and frustrating, staying persistent and hopeful can eventually lead to a successful reunion.
Learn Today:
Glossary of Immigration Terms
- Resident Visa:
A type of visa that allows individuals to live permanently in a country, often including the rights to work, study, and access certain social services. In this context, it refers to the visa parents of residents and citizens of New Zealand are waiting for. - Lottery System:
A method used to select visa applicants randomly, often due to a high volume of applications exceeding the available quota. This system impacts families trying to reunite with their parents in New Zealand by creating uncertainty in the selection process. - Expression of Interest (EOI):
A preliminary step in the immigration process where potential applicants express their desire to apply for a visa. EOIs are evaluated, and suitable candidates are invited to make a full application. In this context, EOIs for parent resident visas in New Zealand have been fully selected and invited to apply. - Ballot System:
A specific type of lottery system used to randomly select visa applicants within a set quota or cap. In the New Zealand immigration context, a quarterly ballot system was used, where only a small number of applicants were selected each time. - Parent Retirement Visa:
A specialized visa category that allows parents of New Zealand residents or citizens to stay in the country based on their investment of significant assets. This is an option for wealthier families seeking a more assured route for family reunification.
This Article In A Nutshell:
Thousands of parents hoping to join their children in New Zealand face lengthy waits for resident visas. Over 12,000 parents are in the queue, with only 500 approved to apply last year. Delays, caused by a lottery system and bureaucratic hurdles, leave families feeling frustrated and uncertain about their futures.
— By VisaVerge.com
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