Announced yesterday by the Minister of Immigration*, Dr Coleman, are new academic visas allowing academics from over 50 countries to visit New Zealand for up to three months without first having to apply for a work visa.
Franz Joseph Glacier (Source: Wikimedia Commons)
The motivation is explained by Dr Coleman in the press release as
’Even though academics are often here for a short time — for instance to speak at a conference — it’s technically work if they receive any sort of reward, including accommodation or airfares. Previously academics have required a work visa before travelling here,’
(It is usual practice at international meetings to cover the costs of at least the leading speakers.)
These new visas are to be available from Monday April 4th, 2011. Details beyond the initial press release do not yet appear to be available. I imagine the countries covered are the 50+ countries** whose residents are currently able to enter New Zealand for a 3-month visit without requiring a visa or visitor permit. No details on how these are issued (presumably on arrival) or what documentation is required to support them appears to available yet, although the press release does say
