The New 2021
Resident Visa NZ
As of 30 September 2021, a new, simpler, one-off residency visa has been made available by Immigration New Zealand for about 165,000 migrants. The government announced the new 2021 resident visa policy due to the impact of Covid-19 on our country’s current visa system, with the aim to facilitate the ability of skilled foreign workers to live in New Zealand.
This is exciting news: the New Zealand government is demonstrating the value of our migrant community and making it far easier to live and work here for the migrant workforce and their families.
If you hold a temporary work visa or if you are arriving in New Zealand at some point between 30 September 2021 and 31 July 2022 on a long-term, critical purpose visa, you may be eligible for this new visa. If you meet this criterion, your partner and children can also apply.
Apply for the 2021 Resident Visa
The new resident visa was made for those for whom work is their primary reason for living in New Zealand. Please note that all criteria must have been met by 29 September 2021.
There is no English language requirement or age restriction.
In order to meet the criteria, you must ensure that:
- On 29 September 2021, you were in New Zealand
- On 29 September 2021, you were on an eligible visa, OR
- You had applied for an eligible visa on or before 29 September 2021 that is later granted
You must also either:
- Have lived in New Zealand for at least three years, OR
- Earn the median wage ($27 per hour) or above, OR
- Work in a scarcity listed role
If you are in Australia and were unable to return to New Zealand by 29 September 2021, but otherwise meet all criteria, you may be eligible.
Eligible Visas
On 29 September 2021, all applicants must have held or have applied for an eligible visa that is later granted :-
- Essential Skills Work Visa
- Long Term Skill Shortage List Work Visa
- Migrant Exploitation Protection Work Visa
- Post Study Work Visa
- Religious Worker Work Visa
- Silver Fern Practical Experience Work Visa
- Skilled Migrant Category Job Search Work Visa
- South Island Contribution Work Visa
- Some Critical Purpose Visitor Visas (CPVV):
- Critical health workers for longer-term roles (6 months or longer)
- Other critical workers for longer-term roles (6 months or longer)
- Talent (Accredited Employer) Work Visa
- Trafficking Victim Work Visa
- Victims of Family Violence Work Visa
- Work Visa granted under Section 61 (IF: you held another eligible visa type within 6 months before you were granted a Section 61 visa)
Anyone holding a short term visa (6 months or less), including visitors, holiday workers, and seasonal workers, will not be eligible. Student visa holders are also not eligible to apply. Take a look at our student visa services at Sharma Law, designed to help students gain their qualifications in New Zealand.
If you hold a eligible visa but are outside New Zealand, you will not be eligible for this visa. The new 2021 resident visa was created by the government for migrants who remained in New Zealand and supported our economy whilst the borders were closed.
If you have lived in New Zealand for at least three years
To qualify for this category, you must have arrived in New Zealand on or before 29 September 2018 and have spent at least 821 days in New Zealand between 29 September 2018 and 29 September 2021. This 821-day minimum need not be consecutive.
If you are unsure, our team at Sharma Law can help you get in touch with Immigration New Zealand to find out how much time you have spent in New Zealand.
If you earn the median wage or higher
To qualify for this category, you must earn $27 or above per hour on 29 September 2021.
If you work in a job on a scarce list
To qualify for this category, you must work in a job on a scarce list on 29 September 2021
- Long term skill shortage list
- Health or education requiring registration
- Critical health workers and personal carers
- Primary sector roles
How to Apply
Our team at Sharma Law is here to help you with your application for this visa. Applications will open in two phases:
- From 1 December 2021, for those who have applied for Skilled Migrant or Residence from Work visas before 29 September 2021 can apply and those who have lodged EOI which included dependent child aged 17 years or older on 29 September 2021
- All other applicants who are eligible can apply from 1 March 2022
Applications are due by 31 July 2022.
Contact our team at Sharma Law today at +64 7 855 2663 for your initial consultation.
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