Visa Woes and Goes
Entering Australia has become a simpler process for Israelis thanks to immigration changes made by the new Federal government…but in New Zealand some Israeli “tourists” are being refused entry into the country.
In Australia the Assistant Minister for Immigration and Border Protection Senator Michaelia Cash announced that Israelis haven joined 72 other nationalities in being able to apply for a visa online. The change applies only to visitor visa applications. Senator Cash said: “Citizens of Israel will find the process for applying for a visitor visa for travel to Australia faster than ever. Online access to these visas is being progressively expanded to all countries.”
But New Zealand immigration authorities have been keeping a watchful eye in Israeli “tourists” who are entering the country not to tour but to man the sales kiosks in shopping centres selling Israeli products, predominantly those from the Dead Sea.
Israeli media reports that last week alone six Israelis were extensively questioned at the airport then put aboard an aircraft to the destination from which they had arrived.
The Israeli Government has issued a travel warning and advised travellers on tourist visas that they should have a return ticket, a travel plan and enough money to last the duration of their stay.
Those deported, according to media reports, have been banned from visiting New Zealand for five years.
The Israeli Embassy in Wellington is well aware of the situation but is not commenting as the issue concerns New Zealand’s immigration laws.
A return ‘rocket’?? A Freudian slip, I guess.
a return rocket?