New immigration changes introduced by the New Zealand Government July 6, allowing Pacific Islanders to be issued with a two-year multiple-entry visa, have been welcomed by Samoans and fellow Pacific Islanders.
Under the change, they are now able to stay for up to six months in any 12-month period, and no more than nine months in 18 months.
However, all travelers must still meet the standard visa requirements. The previous New Zealand visa allowed a stay of three months.
Also, passport holders from Pacific Islands Forum countries travelling from Australia can enter New Zealand visa-free for up to three months, provided they have a valid Australian visitor, work, student, or family visa, and an NZeTA (New Zealand Electronic Travel Authority).
This one-year trial will not apply to those transiting through Australia.
The Pacific Islands Forum countries include: the Federated States of Micronesia, Fiji, Kiribati, Nauru, Palau, Papua New Guinea, the Republic of the Marshall Islands, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tonga, Tuvalu, and Vanuatu.
