These regulations, which come into force on 4 July 2022, amend regulation 9A of the Immigration (Visa, Entry Permission, and Related Matters) Regulations 2010. That regulation temporarily suspends the ability of a person outside New Zealand to apply for a temporary entry class visa, with certain exceptions.

The amendment to regulation 9A relaxes the suspension by introducing a new exception for spouses, partners, and dependent children of work visa applicants. The new exception comes into force at the same time as an exception for the work visa applicants themselves (which is introduced by the Immigration (Visa, Entry Permission, and Related Matters) Amendment (COVID-19—Applications) Regulations (No 2) 2022).