The process of gaining NZ residency has been a struggle for thousands of work visa holders over the past year and a half, but there is hope at last! On
30 September 2021, the Government introduced the 2021 Resident Visa – a new pathway to residency for visa holders working and living in New Zealand. This limited opportunity will fast-track eligible work visa holders to NZ Residency – but the application process isn’t as straightforward as it may appear. Here’s everything you need to know about the 2021 New Zealand Resident Visa.
To be eligible for the 2021 resident visa, you must have been in New Zealand (or trapped in Australia) on 29 September 2021 and hold an eligible work visa. If you applied for an eligible work visa by 29 September and it is later approved, then you will still be considered eligible.
But not all work visa holders will qualify – priority is given to workers currently in NZ, which means overseas NZ work visa holders are not eligible to apply. Short term visa holders in New Zealand such as visitors, seasonal workers, and students are also not eligible.
Holding an eligible visa is not the only requirement. In addition applicants must have lived in NZ for 3 years or more as at 29/09/2021; OR were earning the median wage ($27 per hour) on 29/09/2021; OR were working in a job on one of the scare occupations lists to be eligible to apply for residency.
For clarity on your eligibility, we recommend getting in touch with a licensed NZ immigration adviser as soon as possible. Using an immigration adviser from the get-go will make a huge difference to the success of your application and help you avoid crucial mistakes.
It’s never been more important to get your visa application right the first time around. This new resident visa truly is a ‘one off’ – get it wrong and you’ve missed your chance – the opportunity will not come around again.
Having an eligible work visa is not enough to guarantee NZ residency. Immigration NZ takes health and character requirements very seriously. All applicants must show that they are at a high standard of health and character in their application. If proven otherwise, Immigration NZ has the right to decline your application. It is crucial to be honest and transparent in your application, as leaving any details out will only delay the process further or lead to a decline.
The first wave of applications will open on 1 December 2021 to those who have applied for residence under the Skilled Migrant Category and Work to Residence category before 29 September. Applicants who have submitted an Expression of Interest by 29 September that included dependent children aged 17 or older will also be able to apply at this stage.
The second phase of the application process will begin on 1 March 2021, at which point all eligible work visa holders can apply. The deadline to lodge applications is 31 July 2022. Close family such as dependents and partners can be included in the application.
Applicants must remain eligible right up to the point the application is lodged. If circumstances have changed between 29/09/2021 and before the application is lodged – take advice.
There has been a huge response to the announcement of the 2021 resident visa in NZ, so start the process early and don’t delay your application! If complications arise with your application, you will need time to find a solution. That’s why it is essential to get a professional assessment before your application is lodged.
Get in touch with Malcolm Pacific Immigration today to ensure every step of the application process goes smoothly. Keep an eye on our website for the most recent visa information and Immigration NZ updates.
Our highly experienced licensed Immigration team will take away the stress and worry of navigating the complicated world of New Zealand Immigration. All you need to do is get in touch. Our team is on standby, ready to help.
Our highly experienced licensed Immigration team will take away the stress and worry of navigating the complicated world of New Zealand Immigration. All you need to do is get in touch. Our employer team is on standby, ready to help.
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Today the government announced a pathway to residence for migrant workers who are living and working in New Zealand. Applications open on 1 December 2021 for the first wave who are eligible to apply. The second wave can apply from 1 March 2022. The deadline to lodge an application is 31 July 2022 or else they will miss out on this one off opportunity.
Today the government announced a pathway to residence for people living and working in New Zealand. Applications open on 1 December 2021 for the first wave eligible to apply. The second wave can apply from 1 March 2022. The deadline to lodge an application is 31 July 2022 or else you miss the boat.
The government has moved the introduction of the new employer accreditation process across to mid-2022. At the same time, the Minister of Immigration announced new work visa rules for migrant workers who are already in New Zealand and working full time.
The government has increased the median wage to $27 per hour from 19 July. Any Skilled Migrant residence application lodged after this date will need to include a skilled job offer that pays at least $27 per hour. For some lower-skilled occupations, the minimum pay rate increases to $40.50 per hour.
From 19 July 2021
From 30 June 2021
Employers of migrant workers must become accredited from 1 November 2021 before work visa applications can be processed. Most employers are not accredited. Those that are accredited will have to roll into the new system when it goes live in late September.
From mid-2020 (delayed)
Skilled occupation "Dairy Cattle Farmer" spilt into three occupations. New occupations are: "Dairy Farm Manager", "Assistant Dairy Farm Manager" and "Dairy Herd Manager". Each sit at different skill levels, therefore, the award of points will depend on pay rates, job tasks and other requirements.
From 15 February 2021
The government has deferred the fortnightly selection of Expressions of Interest from the Skilled Migrant pool for six months (to be reviewed in April 2021). Invitations to Apply for Residence remain suspended. The last selection from the Skilled Migrant pool took place on 18/03/2020.
From 7 October 2020
The government added four new occupations that are now regarded as skilled employment and may qualify for job offer points under the Skilled Migrant Category. These are:
Aged or disabled carer, Bicycle mechanic, Driller and Nursing Support worker.
From 27 July 2020
Anyone invited by Immigration NZ to apply for residence under the Skilled Migrant Category where their invitation is dated between 1 November 2019 and 15 April 2020 (inclusive) has now been granted an additional six months to lodge their residence application.
From 27 May 2020
The government has deferred the fortnightly selection of Expressions of Interest from the Skilled Migrant pool. This means Invitations to Apply for Residence are also suspended. Malcolm Pacific Immigration does not anticipate selections to resume until after the general election held on 17 October 2020.
Immigration NZ is now prioritising Skilled Migrant Residence applications where the main (principal) applicant meets the criteria:
From 24 February 2020
From 7 October 2019
The government recently added more occupations that are now to be regarded as skilled employment and may qualify for job offer points under the Skilled Migrant Category. In order to qualify for points, the job must be paying at least the current median wage (or higher for certain occupations) at the time the residence application is lodged.
From 1 November 2021
From 1 November 2021 anyone who is not a NZ citizen must be fully vaccinated (unless exempt) before travelling to New Zealand. Fully vaccinated means your last dose of vaccine was given at least 14 days before travelling and it was an approved vaccine.
Applications for employer accreditation closed at the end of June 2021. Applications lodged before the closure date are still being processed. New applications for accreditation open on 9 May 2022. The process will be quite different to what employers have experienced in the past. Businesses will need to meet minimum standards.
Wednesday, 1 December is fast approaching and it is estimated that around 16,000 individuals and families can apply in the first wave for the 2021 Resident Visa opening next month. It is exciting for the thousands of people who have been waiting patiently to become residents that finally the finish line is in sight.
The first wave of applicants can apply from 1 December 2021. Around 16,000 applications are expected in this first wave. The second wave opens on 1 March 2022. In total, the government expects approximately 110,000 applications that will include about 165,000 people.
The second group of workers who can apply online for the 2021 Resident Visa that opens on 1 March 2022 are those who hold an eligible work visa and either meet "Settled", "Skilled" or "Scarce" as set out above. In total Immigration NZ estimate around 110,000 people will qualify to apply for this visa.
The first group of workers who can apply online for the 2021 Resident Visa that opens on 1 December 2021 are those that on 29/09/2021:
Is this the only requirement to qualify for residence? No. In addition to the eligible work visa criteria workers also need to be regarded as one of the following:
People who were lawfully in NZ (or in Australia when the travel bubble closed between April and July 2021) on 29/09/2021 need to meet the visa eligibility criteria:
The government has introduced a limited pathway to residence for people who are already living and working in New Zealand. Applications open on 1 December 2021 for the first wave of people eligible to apply. The second wave opens on 1 March 2022. The deadline to apply for the 2021 Resident Visa is 31 July 2022.
A small number of critical health workers (taking up jobs for six months or longer) or specialist workers (taking up jobs that are for longer than six months) who were granted border exemptions may also have eligibility for the 2021 Resident Visa. They will need to have arrived in NZ and lodge a 2021 Resident Visa application.
*Excludes high-risk countries.
*Excludes high-risk countries.
The work visa categories set to close are:
In order to address labour shortages in New Zealand's crucial industries the NZ government has implemented a "Green List" of sought-after high-skill occupations. This list offers a prioritised pathway to residency.
There are qualification and/or occupational registration requirements to meet. Occupations are broken down into two tiers:
The recent additions in May 2023 across many sectors can be found here