Immigration New Zealand has announced a new 2021 Residence Visa category, which will offer a one-off opportunity for many migrants who are currently living and working in New Zealand to apply for a residence visa. Immigration New Zealand states that the 2021 Residence Visa category “recognises the immense contribution migrants have made to New Zealand during COVID-19 and the uncertainty they’ve faced with closed borders and necessary changes to immigration settings”.
The Minister of Immigration has announced that the streamlined application process will require health, police and security criteria to be met, and that he expects the majority of applications to be granted within a year of the category opening.
The Minister states that “We are providing a way forward for our migrant families who have been long disrupted by COVID-19, while ensuring businesses have the certainty they need to plan into the future and continue driving the economic recovery.”
The 2021 Resident Visa will be available to most work-related visa holders, including Essential Skills, Work to Residence, and Post Study Work visas and their immediate family members.
Eligibility for the 2021 Residence Visa
Applicants must have met the criteria on 29 September 2021. To be eligible applicants must:
- have been in New Zealand on 29 September 2021, and
- be on an eligible visa or have applied for an eligible visa before 29 September 2021 that is later granted.
They must also meet one of the following three criteria:
- have lived in New Zealand for three or more years; or
- earn at or above the median wage ($27 per hour); or
- work in a role on the ‘scarce list’.
All applicants must be on an eligible visa. These include the following temporary visas:
- Post Study Work Visa;
- Talent (Accredited Employer) Work Visa;
- Essential Skills Work Visa;
- Long Term Skill Shortage List Work Visa;
- Migrant Exploitation Protection Work Visa;
- Some Critical Purpose Visitor Visas (CPVV).
Immigration New Zealand has confirmed that more information about application fees and the application process will be announced by the end of October.
When Can I Lodge my Application for Residence?
Immigration New Zealand has confirmed that applications for the 2021 Resident Visa will open in two phases:
· Phase One opens on 1 December 2021
· Phase Two opens on March 2022.
Phase One:
From 1 December 2021, people who have submitted a Skilled Migrant Category (SMC) or Residence from Work (RfW) application can apply, as well as those with dependent children 17 years or older who currently have an SMC Expression of Interest (EOI) submitted.
Phase Two:
From 1 March 2022, all other eligible applicants, including any others in the SMC Expression of Interest pool, can apply.
Who can be Included in a 2021 Residence Visa Application?
Visa holders can also include their partners and dependents in their application. This includes partners and dependent children who are outside of New Zealand.
Documentation Required
All applicants must meet the health and character requirements for the 2021 Resident Visa. In general, overseas police certificates will not be required unless specifically requested by an Immigration Officer. Limited medical certificates and chest x-ray certificates may be required for some people. Immigration New Zealand may request further information as part of the application process.
Processing Times and Costs
The 2021 Resident Visa category has a simplified application process to ensure that applications are processed as quickly as possible. Immigration New Zealand hopes that the majority of applications will be processed within a year of the category opening.
Immigration New Zealand has not yet confirmed the costs of applying for a visa under the 2021 Resident Visa category.
The Skilled Migrant Category Pool
To prioritise the processing of the 2021 Resident Visa, selections from the Skilled Migrant Category Expressions of Interest pool will remain closed until the 2021 Resident Visa closes on 31 July 2022. However, applicants who meet the criteria in the EOI pool will be able to lodge applications for the 2021 Residence Visa from 1 December 2021 or from 1 March 2022, depending on which category they fall into.
This is a very exciting and welcome announcement by Immigration New Zealand. Many thousands of migrants now have a pathway to residence. We can assist you to determine whether you and your family are eligible, and plan your pathway to residence in New Zealand. If you have any questions about these changes, please fill out a free evaluation form, Click Here.2021 RESIDENT VISA – FREE INITIAL VISA EVALUATION
Alternatively, you can contact your Licensed Immigration Adviser directly for assistance.
Borey Chum +64 (0) 277514276 borey.chum@migrationassociates.co.nz
Christine Yap +64 (0) 211740937 christine.yap@migrationassociates.co.nz
Michael Cooke +64 (0) 277514276 michael.cooke@migrationassociates.co.nz
Vivian Booth +64 (0) 211740937 vivian.booth@migrationassociates.co.nz