Following the NZ Government’s recent announcement of the one-off 2021 NZ Resident Visa, further details have been released for the pathway to residence for migrants to New Zealand.
All principal applicants must be in New Zealand and hold an eligible visa on the day they apply and there are two phases for applications as follows:
First Phase
The first phase of applications for the 2021 Resident Visa opens on 1 December 2021.
Those who had, on or before 29 September 2021, submitted an expression of interest (EOI) for the Skilled Migrant Category (SMC) Visa which also included a dependent child over the age of 17 may apply for the 2021 Resident Visa in this first phase, as can those with pending residence applications under the Skilled Migrant and Residence from Work (RfW) categories.
To be eligible for the 2021 Resident Visa, first phase applicants will need to meet criteria on two dates:
- 29 September 2021, which is the day before the announcement of the 2021 Resident Visa, and
- the date they submit their application.
Second Phase
The second phase of applications for the 2021 Resident Visa opens on 1 March 2022 for all others eligible, including Critical Purpose Visa holders who do not qualify to apply in the first phase.
Critical Workers
Some critical workers coming to New Zealand for a longer-term (6+ months) role do not need to meet settled, skilled or scarce criteria if they held a Critical Purpose Visa 29 September 2021 or were granted one after that date.
Nurses
To be eligible, those granted a Critical Purpose Visa to obtain occupational registration as a nurse in New Zealand must:
- pass their Competence Assessment Programme and secure occupational registration, or
- have transitioned to an eligible work visa before or on 29 September 2021 and meet either settled, skilled or scarce requirements.
Eligibility Under Other Criteria
Settled Criteria: To be eligible under the settled criteria, applicants are required to have first arrived in New Zealand on or before 29 September 2018 and spent at least 75% of the three years (821 days) after that date here.
Skilled Criteria: To be eligible under the skilled criteria, applicants must normally be paid at least NZD$27 per hour for an average of at least 30 hours per week on 29 September 2021 and the date they apply. Those temporarily affected by COVID-19-related disruption to business activity must be able to show they were previously paid that rate
Scarce Criteria: To be eligible under the scarce criteria, an applicant must normally have been employed for an average of at least 30 hours per week in a role on a list of scarce occupations on 29 September 2021 and the date they apply. Those temporarily affected by COVID-19-related disruption to business activity must previously have been working for an average of at least 30 hours per week.
Family & Partners: Partners and dependent children in New Zealand and overseas can be included in applications as secondary applicants.
With so much detail and options available for this new visa, engaging an expert immigration agent is very important. Please get in touch and we will listen to your situation and develop a strategy that will be the best pathway for the goals you want to achieve.
Contact Arno: Arno.Nothnagel@absoluteimmigration.com
