On 30 September 2021, the New Zealand government announced a one-off residency pathway available to 165,000 migrants. To manage the flow of visa applications, Immigration New Zealand categorised people into two phases.

Phase 1 includes those who had submitted a residence application, or an Expression of Interest (under the Skilled Migrant Category) which included a dependent child aged 17 years or older. Phase 1 applicants can apply for 01 December 2021 onwards.

The remainder of people fall within phase 2 and can apply for residence under the 2021 Resident Visa from 01 March 2022.

Who is eligible for the 2021 Resident Visa?

The following groups of people qualify for a 2021 Resident Visa:

1. People in New Zealand on 29 September 2021 who hold an eligible work visa.

2. People in New Zealand on 29 September 2021 who have applied for an eligible work visa (on or before 29 September 2021) and it was granted on a later date.

3. Those who hold an eligible work visa and were in Australia on 29 September 2021 (must have departed New Zealand between 06 April 2021 and 23 July 2021).

4. Those who are granted a Critical Purpose Visitor Visa (border exception) for a duration of six months or longer and arrive in New Zealand on or before 31 July 2022.

People who fall under bullet point 1, 2 or 3 above also must meet one of the following criteria:

• Settled – Arrived in New Zealand on or before 29 September 2018 and have been in New Zealand for at least 821 days between 29 September 2018 and 29 September 2021.
• Skilled – Working an average of 30 hours a per week and being paid $27 per hour (or more).
• Scarce – Working an average of 30 hours a per week in an occupation listed on Immigration New Zealand’s scarce list.

If the applicant is applying under either the skilled or scarce criteria, they must meet the nominated criteria on 29 September 2021 and on the date they apply for residence under the 2021 Resident Visa category.

Where the individual holds a Critical Purpose Visitor Visa (bullet point 4 above), they are eligible for residence under the 2021 Resident Visa category if:

• They are employed as a critical health worker and their Critical Purpose Visitor Visa was granted for 6 months; or
• They are employed in any other role and their Critical Purpose Visitor Visa was granted for more than 6 months.

Applications for residence under the 2021 Resident Visa category close on 01 August 2022. In order to qualify, the applicant must be in New Zealand when they submit their visa application.