Psychological distress caused by COVID-19 on Indian immigrants with temporary visas working in retail industries in Auckland, New Zealand

This study explores the psychological distress due to COVID-19 experienced by Indian immigrants with work visas working in retail industries throughout COVID-19 in Auckland, New Zealand.The study targeted two categories of employees: 1. immigrants with full-time work visas; and 2. immigrants with full-time work visas who were made redundant and went back to study with student visas to upskill in order to meet new job market requirements in New Zealand.The available COVID-19 literature shows the significant impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on people's lives, particularly on temporary visa holders who work in the retail and hospitality sectors.The mixed-method research approach with the Kessler Psychological Distress Scale was employed to identify the psychological distress caused by COVID-19 among Indian immigrants with temporary visas working in retail industries in Auckland, New Zealand.The study findings revealed that 48.65% of participants on work visas experienced high to very high psychological distress, whereas 84.61% of participants on student visas experienced high to very high psychological distress.Additionally, this research discovered that changes in immigration rules, fewer family ties, worry of losing a job, and concern of being infected with COVID-19 were the participants' main reasons for psychological distress during and after COVID-19.Consequently, this research represents the psychological stress level and its leading causes due to COVID-19 among immigrants with temporary visas, especially work and student visas, which can facilitate the development of policies to mitigate the psychological distress of any future instances of a pandemic for immigrants.