NZ Offers Fresh Chance to Filipinos Hit by Visa Scam
WELLINGTON: The New Zealand government has announced new rules to allow Filipinos caught up in a visa scam to continue working in the dairy industry, media reports said.
The rule change would apply to Filipino dairy workers who might have provided incorrect information relating to their qualifications and experience with their original work visa applications, Immigration Minister Michael Woodhouse was quoted as saying by Global Post.
“Today I approved amendments to immigration instructions to allow further work visas to be granted to those workers who admit to previously providing incorrect information,” Woodhouse reportedly said.
Those who were compliant in all other respects with the regulations would be eligible to be granted a further work visa, the report said.
“This approach acknowledges that many of these workers are making a significant contribution to their employers and their communities and are well-settled in New Zealand. It also accepts the admission of having provided incorrect information by workers who come forward,” he reportedly said.
“The changes minimize the disruption that would have been caused by a significant number of workers having their visas declined.”
Last month, law enforcement officials reportedly arrested a woman with dual Filipino-New Zealand nationality on charges of helping Filipinos fraudulently acquire visas to work in New Zealand’s dairy industry.
Immigration New Zealand launched an investigation after becoming aware of potential issues with applications from some Filipino nationals working on dairy farms in the South Island in February, said the news portal.
The agency uncovered more widespread concerns of false or misleading information being provided in work visa applications submitted by Filipino nationals, reported Global Post.