15 Apr 2020

Coronavirus: Immigrants without work facing visa issues

From Morning Report, 8:25 am on 15 April 2020

Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern says ministers are discussing how they can support or repatriate immigrants who have lost their job during the Covid-19 lockdown.

The government has now suspended the skilled migrant category of residence visas, Pacific visa ballots and 19 working holiday programmes.

Immigration New Zealand told RNZ it's continuing to look at options for holders of temporary work visas whose work has been affected by the Covid-19 situation.

Immigrants already here say they have New Zealand jobs to go to and visa issues are blocking their way.

Gill Bonnett reports.