Chinese Migrants in New Zealand Unite Against Unjust Visa Delays
Staff Writer: Yiyi Xie
Image Source: Supplied
New Zealand’s immigration policies have evolved over the years, but for Chinese applicants, one thing remains constant—the prolonged and painful wait. Many are stuck in the critical NSC, a process seemingly tailored to scrutinize applicants from countries like China.
The NSC, or National Security Check is initiated by New Zealand in recent years for nationals of certain countries, including Sri Lanka, Russia, Afghanistan, and China. Even as 2023 draws to a close, there are still applicants from the 2021 Resident Visa cohort waiting for NSC approval—a wait that has stretched to over 20 months. Faced with such delays, Chinese applicants have decided they can no longer remain silent.
"We Work Hard, Yet Still No Residency"
In response to the delays caused by the NSC process, we interviewed Mazzy, a Chinese living in Auckland.
Mazzy is one of many who missed out on the 2021 residency amnesty. Due to pandemic-related delays, her work visa was not processed in time, preventing her from applying. "The immigration office itself is partly to blame for this situation," she noted.
Mazzy submitted her NSC application in December last year, but nearly 10 months later, she is still waiting for an update. Despite sending multiple emails to immigration officials and filing complaints, she has only received the standard response—that her case is being handled by a third party and cannot be expedited.
Mazzy pointed out the lack of transparency in the immigration system. "We've worked hard for years here in New Zealand, yet we still don’t have residency. The longer we wait, the more unbearable it becomes," she said, echoing the frustration of many others.
Mental Health at Stake
For many applicants, the uncertainty has had a profound impact on their mental health and well-being. A user on the Chinese platform Xiaohongshu shared that their NSC process has been pending for over 300 days. "Just seeing the letters N, S, and C makes me feel sick," they said, highlighting the growing anxiety, frustration, and anger.
One applicant shared their story, saying, "I feel like a victim of New Zealand’s immigration system."
After arriving as a student in 2017, they had planned to apply for residency but were derailed by the pandemic and are now stuck in the seemingly endless NSC process.
Another applicant, who missed the 2021 amnesty, has been deeply affected by the uncertainty. After losing a close friend in a car accident, they left New Zealand to cope with their grief. Now back in the country, they find themselves struggling with depression, isolated from family and stuck in a limbo created by the NSC delays.
Chinese Migrants Demand Action
Frustrated by the lack of progress, many Chinese migrants are taking action. Angela, one of the movement’s organizers, said, "We can’t wait in silence any longer. Our voices need to be heard." She, along with over 300 other applicants waiting for NSC approval, has organized a protest.
The protests will take place at Aotea Square in Auckland on November 12 and outside Parliament in Wellington on November 13. Mazzy, one of the leaders of the protest, outlined three key demands:
- The NSC should only apply to highly suspicious cases, not all Chinese applicants.
- Immigration New Zealand must provide a clear timeline for processing NSCs.
- Applicants with expiring work visas should be granted interim visas while waiting for NSC clearance.
Mazzy emphasized that this fight is not just about individual cases but about standing up against racial discrimination. "This concerns every Chinese person in New Zealand," she said.
The group remains determined to keep pushing for their demands until they are met.
