Immigration New Zealand has told working visa holders that their visas have been extended.
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French woman Marion, who is picking kiwifruit in Hawke’s Bay, says she is unable to look for other work until the online work entitlements system is updated. However, Marion said that in a phone call with Immigration, the adviser could not explain what her work rights were. Marion was told to tell prospective employers to write to Immigration to check her status. While she was able to get work picking kiwifruit for a company that had hired her in the past and were comfortable waiting for visa confirmation, Marion was unable to apply for other jobs because her status was unclear.