How To Apply For The New Resident Visa In NZ This 2021

There's a new one-off resident visa announced by the NZ government last September. The said visa is offered to eligible temporary work visa holders currently in New Zealand. Those who have critical purpose visas may also be eligible to get one if they're going to New Zealand between September 30, 2021 and July 31, 2022 on long-term visas.

Those who are planning to apply may include their partners and dependents as part of the residence applications, including those currently outside New Zealand. This means more work visa holders can remain in the country permanently.

The visa is to recognise the contribution migrants have given to the country, especially during the pandemic. This will also allow employers to keep migrant workers considering their huge contribution to New Zealand's economy. Immigration New Zealand is expecting around 165,000 migrants to be eligible for this new visa.

There will be two phases for the applications. Eligible applicants may apply from December 01, 2021 and from March 01, 2022 for remaining eligible applicants. All applicants must submit their applications by July 31, 2022.

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How do I know if I’m eligible to apply?

The applicants must have met the criteria on September 29, 2021.

You are eligible to apply if:

• You have been in New Zealand on September 29, 2021
• You've acquired an eligible visa or have applied for one on or before September 29, 2021 and has been granted.

Applicants must also meet at least ONE of the following criteria:

You must have stayed in New Zealand for three or more years

If you have lived in New Zealand for the past 3 years or more, you may be eligible for this criteria:

• You must have arrived in New Zealand on or before September 29, 2018 
• You have spent at least 821 days in New Zealand between September 29, 2018 and September 29, 2021 (inclusive).

The time you have spent in New Zealand doesn't need to be consecutive, and there is no minimum amount within a calendar year. You may request for your travel movements from Immigration New Zealand if you want to check how much time you have spent in the country.

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You must earn within or above the median wage ($27 per hour)

If you're being paid the median wage of $27 per hour or above on September 29, 2021, you're eligible under this criteria.

You work in a job included on a scarce list

You must be working in a job that is on a scarce list on September 29, 2021.

List of jobs included:

• Jobs added on the Long Term Skill Shortage List
• Jobs that require occupational registration in the education or health
• If you work in personal care and other critical health jobs
• Specified primary sector jobs

Note: If you meet the criteria above but are currently in Australia and have been unable to come back to New Zealand by September 29, 2021, you may be considered eligible. 

What are the eligible visas?

On September 29 all applicants must have been on one of the following visas or have applied for them and later granted:

• Post Study Work Visa
• Talent (Accredited Employer) Work Visa
• Essential Skills Work Visa
• Religious Worker Work Visa
• Talent (Arts, Culture, Sports) Work Visa
• Long Term Skill Shortage List Work Visa
• Silver Fern Practical Experience Work Visa
• Trafficking Victim Work Visa
• Migrant Exploitation Protection Work Visa
• Skilled Migrant Category Job Search Work Visa
• Victims of Family Violence Work Visa
• South Island Contribution Work Visa
• Work Visa granted under Section 61 (provided that you held another eligible visa type within 6 months before being granted a Section 61 visa)
• Some Critical Purpose Visitor Visas (CPVV)

If you’re a Critical Purpose visitor holder:

There are two groups of Critical Purpose visitor visa holders eligible:

• Critical health workers for longer-term roles (at least 6 months or longer)
• Other critical workers for long term roles (more than 6 months)

Just make sure you arrive in New Zealand and apply before July 31, 2022.

Those who are in a short term or seasonal role on a Critical Purpose Visitor Visa such as fishing crew, shearers, agricultural operators, etc. are not eligible.

Not eligible for the one-off residence visa:

Short-term visa holders, including visitors, students, working holiday makers, and seasonal workers or those who are in the country as short-term critical workers are not eligible.

Additional notes:

• There's no need for overseas police certificates unless they are specifically requested by Immigration Officer.
• Some people may be required to provide medical certificates and chest x-ray certificates.
• You may be requested to provide further information as part of the application process.

If you don't meet the criteria mentioned, you can check other residence pathways or temporary visa options available for you.

What’s the application process?

The applications will be open in 2 phases.

First phase

The first group can apply from December 01, 2021, if you've done of the following:

• Sent an application for residence under the Skilled Migrant and Residence from Work categories before September 29, 2021
• Sent a Skilled Migrant Category Expression of Interest, and have added your dependent child in the Expression of Interest aged 17 years or older on September 29, 2021.

Second phase

Other eligible applicants may apply from March 01, 2022, including those who have submitted a Skilled Migrant Category Expression of Interest.

You may submit your applications online. Make sure to submit your application on or before July 31, 2022. If you can apply from December 01, 2021, you may expect an email from Immigration New Zealand by the end of this month with additional information.

Applicants can expect their applications to be processed within 12 months, or earlier.

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