Updated immigration policy

Immigration policy has been amended to give effect to the New Zealand government’s sanctions against Fiji following the coup on 6 December.

The changes include:

• A freeze on Fijian participation in seasonal work in New Zealand. No new visa applications will be approved for Fijians seeking to enter New Zealand to take up temporary seasonal work. This will include the Recognised Seasonal Employer policy, which is due to take effect early in 2007.
• Suspension of Fiji’s eligibility under the Pacific Access Category (PAC).  This suspension will apply to the next registration period for PAC in April 2007. Applications already received for the 2006 year will not be affected. 
• A ban on the issuing of visas (including transit visas) and permits to Fijians seeking to come to New Zealand for the purpose of sporting contact. Professional sportspeople playing as individuals will not be covered by this ban. 
• A ban on the issue of visas or permits to individuals associated with the December 2006 Fiji coup. This includes those people associated with supporting the December 2006 Fiji coup who are named on a list approved by the Minister of Immigration, and their immediate families. It also includes people who are, or were on 6 December 2006, members of the Republic of Fiji Military Force and their immediate families.  Immediate family members are partners, children and children's partners.

Note that applications lodged by Fijian citizens who are not covered by the travel ban, sports ban and seasonal work ban will be processed in the normal manner. 

Policy details can be found in Amendment Circular 2006/19 PDF [24KB] and Amendment Circular 2006/20 PDF [45KB].