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Online submissions now available for NZ PR Visa applications!
Starting end of January 2024, applicants for Permanent Resident Visa General (PRV), Second or Subsequent Resident Visa, and Variation of Travel Conditions of a Resident Visa will be required to submit their applications through the Immigration Online system.
Moving applications to this Online system will minimize the need for applicants to submit physical documents, such as passports and forms. This digital approach will allow applicants to track the status of their applications online.
This transition to a digital platform is being implemented in anticipation of a substantial surge in PRV applications next year. This increase is attributed to the eligibility of a large number of 2021 Resident Visa applicants to apply for permanent residency.
It is important to note that some specialized permanent resident visa applications, like the Global Impact Permanent Resident Visa and the Afghan Emergency Resettlement Permanent Resident Visa, will continue to require paper-based applications.
Integrating secondary applicants into the PRV application process
The NZ Immigration Online system does not allow the addition of secondary applicants to already submitted Permanent Resident Visa (PRV) applications. This resulted in some 2021 Resident Visa applications being filed without secondary applicants. Affected applicants were instructed to submit a cover letter requesting the inclusion of their partners and/or dependent children. However, in a limited number of instances, these requests were inadvertently overlooked, leading to the issuance of residency visas to principal applicants without their families. This oversight has caused a delay in the PRV eligibility of affected secondary applicants compared to the principal applicant.
Immigration New Zealand is committed to ensuring that secondary applicants do not experience any disadvantage when applying for a PRV due to this oversight and to mitigate the impact, INZ encourages affected families to apply for PRV together when the principal applicant becomes eligible. They should include a cover letter explaining the situation and attach a copy of the email from INZ, which will be sent directly to them. INZ will then assess each case and may grant a PRV as an exception to immigration guidelines.
For any questions regarding this update or any further immigration matters, please contact Arno at Arno.Nothnagel@absoluteimmigration.com
