One-Off Resident Visa in New Zealand: What benefits will the migrants get?

The majority of migrants in New Zealand on work visas will be eligible for the new one-off resident visa, which is fantastic news for them and their families.

As time went on and the border remained blocked, it became clear that the government had little choice but to go the extra mile to keep the much-needed migrant labor in New Zealand. The country is experiencing a huge skills deficit, compounded by migrant workers returning to their home countries for a more secure future, and their talents are now irreplaceable.

So, How Will the One-Off Resident Visa for 2021 Work?

Firstly, an applicant must be in New Zealand as of September 29, 2021, and possess (or have applied for) a qualifying work visa that contains all of the significant required skills, as well as work-to-residence, post-study work visas, and others. Partnership, particular purpose, and working holiday work visas are examples of work visas that do not qualify. 

Many physicians, GPs, and high-level IT employees work as contractors in New Zealand and have particular purpose work visas, which are not among the eligible work visa categories.

Secondly, an applicant must satisfy one of the following requirements as of 29 September 2021;

• First arrived in New Zealand on or before 29 September 2018 and been in New Zealand for at least 821 days in the three years to 29 September 2021) OR
• Be paid at or above the median wage of $27.00 per hour, OR
• Work in a role on one of the “scarce role” lists which comprise:
• Roles on the current Long Term Skills Shortage List.
• Roles in the health and education sector require occupational registration.
• Personal carers and other critical health workers.

Applicants with foreign partners and dependent children can file a residence application that includes their family members. After the residence is accepted, the resident visas provided to the family will allow them to cross the border and be reunited in New Zealand.

Applications will be submitted online utilizing the same platform as border entry requests, which has proven difficult due to the form's inability to be pre-populated.

The application process for a Resident Visa in 2021 has various advantages.

1. There are no English requirements or age limits.
2. Because this is an online process, original documents are not necessary to be submitted.
3. Unless specifically asked, new overseas police certificates are not necessary.
4. Medical certifications from the previous three years can be trusted, and additional medical conditions can be approved.
5. Employment is based on a weekly average of 30 hours or more of labor, due to casual or permanent roles. Allowance might also be given for decreased hours or salary as a result of Covid's influence.
6. There is a new option that allows dependent children above the age of 25 to apply.

The application fee for a Resident Visa in 2021 will be $2,160. Applicants applying for the 1 December intake (who have a lodged residency or a qualified EOI) are exempt from paying the application fee. When their application is going to be decided, they will be informed of the amount they will need to pay, which will take into account the application fees previously paid, and SMC applicants will get a fee refund.