In response to the crisis, Immigration New Zealand expressed sympathy for those affected by the conflict and acknowledged the challenges faced by individuals separated from their loved ones during this tumultuous period. Marcelle Foley, the acting director of visas at INZ, disclosed that a total of 277 offshore visa applications had been received from Israelis, Palestinians, and Iranians since the beginning of June.
The majority of the applications came from Iranian nationals, with 230 submissions in total. Out of these, 93 have been approved, seven declined, and the rest are still under review. Additionally, 41 applications were submitted by Israeli nationals, with 24 approvals, one rejection, and the remaining applications in various stages of processing. Six applications were lodged by Palestinian nationals, with two approvals and the others awaiting assessment.
Furthermore, INZ revealed that since October 7, 2023, a total of 8634 New Zealand Electronic Travel Authority (NZeTA) applications have been granted to Israeli nationals. Marcelle Foley emphasized that Israel is a visa waiver country, allowing Israeli citizens to visit New Zealand temporarily without a visitor visa but requiring them to obtain an NZeTA.
This surge in visa applications underscores the impact of geopolitical conflicts on global migration patterns and the importance of providing support to individuals affected by such crises.
