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Locked-out New Zealanders outraged as visa scheme for rich foreigners resumes

theguardian.com

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Re: Locked-out New Zealanders outraged as visa scheme for rich foreigners resumes

#11

Post by pmontra »

vanusa wrote: post #3
throwaway788 wrote: post #2

The last allocation of MIQ slots had 800+ rooms that were not taken. Anyone who urgently needed to return had the ability to secure a room in December. When Omicron appeared and it hadn’t been detected within the community in NZ it was obvious the NZ government would make changes to delay its introduction by moving to tighten MIQ settings and delaying any removal of quarantine restrictions. https://www.miq.govt.nz/ab…

Anyone who urgently needed to return had the ability to secure a room in December. I don't see how this is relevant. Moving forward, citizens and migrant workers will still be forced to get in line behind wealthy investors.

I'm not a NZ citizen, nor resident nor I have interest in getting there except maybe as a tourist someday. Anyway if I would apply for entry to NZ or any other country I'd expect that all citizens jump the line in front of me, then everyone paying millions, then everybody else.

Re: Locked-out New Zealanders outraged as visa scheme for rich foreigners resumes

#13

Post by incompatible »

aunty_helen wrote: post #6
Macha wrote: post #5

So what happens if you're a NZer who can not get a MIQ slot (which may have been more plentiful when you left), but your Visa in your current location is expiring?

You have to plead with the country you're in. Or apply for one of the emergency slots the week you have to leave (pretty difficult at the moment given the flight schedules). Or yano, deportation / imprisonment... There's not many good solutions in this case and it is very difficult to match a reservation spot with an airline ticket out.

You can come to Australia, as another option. I think the borders are open for NZers who can get a 444 visa (but don't take my word for it, double check with the government before booking a ticket).

Re: Locked-out New Zealanders outraged as visa scheme for rich foreigners resumes

#14

Post by chii »

aunty_helen wrote: post #6
Macha wrote: post #5

So what happens if you're a NZer who can not get a MIQ slot (which may have been more plentiful when you left), but your Visa in your current location is expiring?

You have to plead with the country you're in. Or apply for one of the emergency slots the week you have to leave (pretty difficult at the moment given the flight schedules). Or yano, deportation / imprisonment... There's not many good solutions in this case and it is very difficult to match a reservation spot with an airline ticket out.

> deportation

isn't this what you'd want? deported back to your country? It's not like you could be denied entry at the airport, and deported back to the foreign country...

Re: Locked-out New Zealanders outraged as visa scheme for rich foreigners resumes

#15

Post by incompatible »

chii wrote: post #14
aunty_helen wrote: post #6

Earlier quoted context omitted.

You have to plead with the country you're in. Or apply for one of the emergency slots the week you have to leave (pretty difficult at the moment given the flight schedules). Or yano, deportation / imprisonment... There's not many good solutions in this case and it is very difficult to match a reservation spot with an airline ticket out.

> deportation isn't this what you'd want? deported back to your country? It's not like you could be denied entry at the airport, and deported back to the foreign country...

Maybe they'd just leave you in prison until NZ is ready to take you back.

Re: Locked-out New Zealanders outraged as visa scheme for rich foreigners resumes

#16

Post by rafale »

chii wrote: post #14
aunty_helen wrote: post #6

Earlier quoted context omitted.

You have to plead with the country you're in. Or apply for one of the emergency slots the week you have to leave (pretty difficult at the moment given the flight schedules). Or yano, deportation / imprisonment... There's not many good solutions in this case and it is very difficult to match a reservation spot with an airline ticket out.

> deportation isn't this what you'd want? deported back to your country? It's not like you could be denied entry at the airport, and deported back to the foreign country...

Deportation usually comes with long lasting restrictions on travel to the country you are getting kicked from. Hopefully, USCIS/ICE will use their brains in situations like this.

Re: Locked-out New Zealanders outraged as visa scheme for rich foreigners resumes

#17

Post by tuatoru »

parkingrift wrote: post #10

>Immigration New Zealand (INZ) recently granted 32 visas to people who pledged to invest at least $10m locally over three years and another 76 visas to individuals pledging to invest at least $3m, according to the news website Stuff. > With their visas in hand, investors may apply to compete for spots in New Zealand’s congested MIQ system. A stay in MIQ is a prerequisite for entry to the country, which has been large…

In New Zealand we try to have something called the Rule of Law. The same laws and regulations apply to everyone regardless of wealth or political connection.

The rule of law is the key innovation that allowed the industrial revolution to take place bringing the West to its present rich and free lifestyle.

Adherence to the rule of law is a major reason why NZ is regularly in the top 5 countries globally for lack of corruption, transparency, and ease of doing business.

Abandoning the rule of law leads eventually to autocracy. From this distance the US appears to be well down that road.

Re: Locked-out New Zealanders outraged as visa scheme for rich foreigners resumes

#18

Post by selimthegrim »

nimbius wrote: post #9

I think the cat was out of the bag when kimdotcom was indicted. New Zealand is bought and paid for by the cloistered elite seemingly against any real argument by the locals. You could make an argument the work here/look see initiative that imported skilled labor was somehow a counter indication of a plutocracy but I think its largely just salt in the wound for the average NZ resident as it ran defense for anyone who…

What’s the point of spending more on STEM education when the absurdly low salaries for tech and IT positions already have them going begging for workers?

Re: Locked-out New Zealanders outraged as visa scheme for rich foreigners resumes

#19

Post by refurb »

tuatoru wrote: post #17
parkingrift wrote: post #10

>Immigration New Zealand (INZ) recently granted 32 visas to people who pledged to invest at least $10m locally over three years and another 76 visas to individuals pledging to invest at least $3m, according to the news website Stuff. > With their visas in hand, investors may apply to compete for spots in New Zealand’s congested MIQ system. A stay in MIQ is a prerequisite for entry to the country, which has been large…

In New Zealand we try to have something called the Rule of Law. The same laws and regulations apply to everyone regardless of wealth or political connection. The rule of law is the key innovation that allowed the industrial revolution to take place bringing the West to its present rich and free lifestyle. Adherence to the rule of law is a major reason why NZ is regularly in the top 5 countries globally for lack of co…

But this is the rule of law? These folks with their new visas line up just like everyone else for an MIQ slot?

Re: Locked-out New Zealanders outraged as visa scheme for rich foreigners resumes

#20

Post by tuatoru »

refurb wrote: post #19
tuatoru wrote: post #17

Earlier quoted context omitted.

In New Zealand we try to have something called the Rule of Law. The same laws and regulations apply to everyone regardless of wealth or political connection. The rule of law is the key innovation that allowed the industrial revolution to take place bringing the West to its present rich and free lifestyle. Adherence to the rule of law is a major reason why NZ is regularly in the top 5 countries globally for lack of co…

But this is the rule of law? These folks with their new visas line up just like everyone else for an MIQ slot?

The same rule for everyone regardless of wealth or political connection.
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