The New Zealand border is currently closed to almost all travellers to help stop the spread of COVID-19, however, if INZ consider that you have a critical purpose for travel while the border is closed they may grant you a visa and border exception to recognise this.
‘Critical Health Workers’ are one of the critical purpose categories that can make a request for a border exception and are considered to be both current or new employees who hold a key position required to deliver critical services within the NZ health and disability system and are employed by or to be employed in one or more of the following settings:
- a District Health Board
- the New Zealand Blood Service
- hospice or palliative care
- a primary care practice such as urgent care or a medical or healthcare centre
- aged residential care, respite or continuing care facility. This includes care in a person’s home or community facility
- a Government or Non-Government Organisation delivering health and disability services
- organisations that provide, operate and maintain medical equipment
- private employers delivering health and disability services
Head Medical have continued to recruit Medical Doctors into various posts and healthcare settings throughout 2020 and 2021 despite the border closure and there is still a strong demand from both NZ healthcare employers and doctors looking to make the move.
We are now very familiar with the border exception application process and our in-house Licensed Immigration Adviser Gemma Evans (IAA 201000831) can support our doctors in obtaining the necessary approvals and visas to enter and commence work in New Zealand whilst the border remains closed.
If you are a Medical Doctor looking to explore your options to live and work in New Zealand, either short or long term, get in touch with us today to discuss your options and the process involved in obtaining the necessary border exception approvals.
For more information contact our Registration & Migration team on +44 (0)131 226 2200 or info@headmedical.com