Effect Of Immigration Act On N.Z. Visitors To Britain

Press, Volume CI, Issue 29803, 21 April 1962, Page 13

Effect Of Immigration Act On N.Z. Visitors To Britain

(N.Z. Press Association)

WELLINGTON, April 20. The provisions of the British Commonwealth Immigrants’ Act, which regulates the entry of other Commonwealth citizens into Britain, will come into force on July 1.

The British High Commissioner in Wellington says in a statement that it is not expected that the act will significantly affect the movement of New Zealanders to Britain. Virtually’ all New Zealanders travelling to Britain in the past would have entered under the act. ‘’Those visiting Britain for any purpose other than taking a job will be freely admitted, and visitors from New Zealand will, of course, be as welcome as they have always been.

"The main object of the controls is to regulate the number of people entering Britain for employment and full-time residence,” the statement says.

» "New Zealand citizens born in Britain will, in any case, not be affected. Special sections are being set up in the British High Commission in

Wellington, and shortly in Auckland and Christchurch, to advise and assist intending travellers. "As stated above, those visiting Britain tor any purpose other than taking a job will be freely admitted. All they need to do is to satisfy the immigration authorities that they can maintain themselves and do not intend to look for work. Students, holidaymakers, businessmen and so on all come into this category. “To minimise formalities at the port of arrival, such visitors, may. if they wish, obtain an entry ct rtificate in the form of an endorsement in their passports before leaving New Zealand. This will be accepted by the immigration authorities in Britain as conclusive evidence that the required conditions are satisfied. These entry certificates (which are entirely optional) will be issued by the offices of the British High Commission in New Zealand. Employment Vouchers

“New Zealand or other Commonwealth citizens who intend to stay in Britain for

an appreciable time and take up employment will need to obtain employment vouchers issued by the British Ministry of Labour permitting them to enter. Priority will be given to those who have jobs to go to and those who have skills or qualifications iu demand in Britain. Application should be made through the British High Commission offices in New Zealand.

“Alternatively, for those who have jobs in Britain already arranged, their future employers will be able to obtain the vouchers and send them to the applicant.

“Commonwealth citizens who have served in the armed forces of the Crown in war, or in the Royal Navy, British Army or Royal Air Force since 1945, may also claim priority in the issue of vouchers.” the statement says. Working Holidays “Some visitors come to Britain with the intention of taking a certain amount of employment in the course of their visit to help them pay the expenses of their holiday. These may nevertheless be admitted without employment vouchers provided that any employment that they may take will be purely incidental to the main purpose of their visit, and provided that they have every intention of returning to their own country. Those who want to do this are 'strongly advised to apply to the British High Commission offices in New Zealand in good time for an entry certificate. Unless they have taken th’S precaution, they may well encounter difficulties at the port of arrival. “Application forms both for entry certificates and employment vouchers, and guidance notes for applicants, will shortly be in the hands of travel agencies throughout New Zealand. They will also be available from the British High Commission in Wellington, the British Information Office in Auckland (after May 1) and the British Trade Commission in Christchurch (after June D,” the statement adds.