Phase 2 applications for the 2021 Resident Visa will open from 10am on Tuesday 1 March, but submitting an application on the first day does not mean it will be processed first, says Immigration New Zealand’s Head of Digital and Programmes, Darren Calder.

“Phase 2 applications will be submitted using our enhanced Immigration Online system and we have been working hard to make sure the system can manage the large volume of applications expected under Phase 2,” Darren Calder says.

“Immigration Online has been significantly upgraded to increase the number of people able to apply each day. On top of this, we have also made some operational changes that mean individuals who don’t apply on the first day will not be disadvantaged.”

“The changes include:

• All Phase 2 applications made in the enhanced Immigration Online system will be held in the system until the end of March.
• From the end of March, these applications will be released for processing in order of the principal applicant’s current visa expiry date as at the time of their application.

“These changes mean there is no advantage to applying on 1 March. Submitting your application first does not determine when it will be processed, so we encourage people to take their time to apply,” Darren Calder says.

People applying through enhanced Immigration Online will not need to submit supporting documentation with their application, including medical certificates.

“We know some people have been concerned about getting their medical certificate in time to submit their application. As a result, people applying through enhanced Immigration Online will not need a medical certificate to be able to submit their application. If one is required, they will be asked to provide this, and any other documents, when we begin processing their application,” Darren Calder says.

“This will help ease the demand that immigration panel physicians have been experiencing in recent weeks.

“We have learnt a lot from Phase 1 of the 2021 Resident Visa and have listened to feedback from immigration industry professionals.

“We are committed to ensuring the 2021 Resident Visa application process is a positive experience for our customers and we have been working hard to deliver on that,” Darren Calder says.

INZ continues to process applications received under Phase 1 as quickly as possible. More than 13,000 applications have been received under Phase 1 to date. Of those, around 7,000 applications have been approved which equates to more than 15,000 people becoming residents so far. A further 2,500 applications have been approved pending payment from the applicant.

Due to the good progress that has been made in processing Phase 1 applications, last week INZ announced that from 21 February, we would open applications early for a group of up to 10,500 individuals who have a Skilled Migrant Category (SMC) Expression of Interest (EOI) in the pool that was submitted on or before 29 September 2021. To date we have received a further 1,502 applications from those eligible since 21 February.

All applicants have until 31 July 2022 to submit their 2021 Resident Visa application.

People can test their eligibility for the 2021 Resident Visa here.

More information about the 2021 Resident Visa can be found at https://www.immigration.govt.nz/new-zealand-visas/already-have-a-visa/one-off-residence-visa and processing information for the 2021 Resident Visa can be found at https://www.immigration.govt.nz/new-zealand-visas/waiting-for-a-visa/how-long-it-takes-to-process-your-visa-application/2021-resident-visa-processing-times.

For further information contact the media line on 0274 422 141 or email media@mbie.govt.nz

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