The New Zealand Government announced on September 30, 2021, a new one-time resident visa pathway for some temporary work visa holders currently in New Zealand. Some people who arrive in New Zealand on long-term visas between September 30, 2021, and July 31, 2022, maybe eligible for this new visa. Partners and children under the age of 18 can be included.

The 2021 Resident visa will be available in two phases, with the first phase beginning on December 1, 2021, and the second phase beginning on March 1, 2022. Applications can only be submitted online on Immigration New Zealand’s website via the Immigration Online system.

Phase I:

From 1 December 2021 the following applicants can apply:

• Who have already applied for residence under the Skilled Migrant or Residence from Work categories on or before 29 September 2021, or
• Who have submitted a Skilled Migrant Category Expression of Interest (EOI), and have included a dependent child in the EOI aged 17 years or older on 29 September 2021.

Immigration New Zealand has devised a validation system to restrict applicants who are ineligible to apply for Phase 1. Eligible, Phase 1 applicants can apply between 1 December 2021 – 31 July 2022.

Phase II:

From 1 March 2022, all other eligible applicants can apply.

Fees

The INZ Visa fee for the 2021 Resident Visa is $2,160 including GST. This includes the application fee and the migrant levy fee.

Processing timeframes

The majority of applications are expected to be processed within a year, with the majority being processed substantially sooner.

Why would you need a Licensed Immigration Advisor?

INZ has indicated the application process is straightforward and as an applicant, you may wonder why you should pay for professional help when you can do it yourself and save money. We are glad that the government has drafted a simple and generous policy with basic requirements benefiting many thousands of migrants in New Zealand, however, immigration law is complex and is bound to be misinterpreted/misunderstood.

The 2021 Resident Visa is a “one-time opportunity” and hence called the one-off Resident Visa with a very short window of 3 months to apply. If an applicant does not provide the required documentation or misrepresents his/her profile, it can cause processing delays and a possible visa decline to lose a one-time opportunity to make New Zealand their home. Considering this is a one-time opportunity, taking a risk should not be an option!

Taking professional advice for immigration matters is like buying health insurance. If there is a health problem, you know the insurance can take care of you and see you through. Likewise, Immigration Advisers are here to see you through. Collating documents, filing immigration forms correctly, presenting a decision-ready file, and advocating is a tough job to do for many who have busy schedules and this is what we do every day.

Our team of experienced Licensed Immigration Advisers (a few ex-INZ officers included) has assisted thousands of migrants with their New Zealand Visa applications with a high visa approval rate. Our understanding of INZ’s requirements, ethical process, and transparency resulting in positive outcomes make us a trusted agency in the industry. Our professional service fees are negotiable, payable in stages, and fair based on the complexity of the applicant’s profile, the number of applicants, and our previous association. Our clients are our top priority, with whom we build long-lasting relationships.

So, stop shopping and talk to us for a no-obligation assessment of your profile. If you and your family want to make New Zealand your permanent home, we believe a one-time investment in paying for professional visa services is well worth it.