H5.25 Definitions (30/03/2020)

H5.25.1 Essential health workers

1. An essential health worker is a person who will work in New Zealand in a job or occupation described on the Immigration New Zealand website as an essential health worker.
2. The jobs and occupations considered as essential health workers are agreed to by the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment.

H5.25.5 Essential workers

Essential workers are considered by the COVID-19 All of Government Officials group as critical to delivering the response to COVID-19 and/or maintaining critical infrastructure, and agreed to by the Minister of Immigration and either Ministers with Power to Act or by Cabinet.

H5.25.10 Humanitarian reasons

1. Humanitarian reasons are exceptional circumstances of a humanitarian nature that make it strongly desirable for the applicant to travel and enter New Zealand.
2. When considering whether a person has humanitarian reasons for travelling to New Zealand, immigration officers must consider the purpose of these instructions and the strong public interest in protecting the health of New Zealander and supporting Government agencies response to the risks posed by the COVID-19 situation.
3. Relevant factors when considering if humanitarian reasons justify the grant of a visa under these instructions include:
   1. the applicant’s connection to New Zealand
   2. the applicant’s connection to the place they are currently located
   3. whether New Zealand is their primary place of residence, and their period of absence from New Zealand
   4. whether the applicant has any alternative options
   5. the impact of not granting a visa and entry permission to the applicant,
   6. whether the Ministry of Health or a District Health Board supports the provision of any medical treatment that may be required by an applicant.

Effective 30/03/2020