2021 Resident Visa Pathway for Migrant Workers
A new pathway for migrant workers to gain residency was introduced on 29 September 2021 by Immigration Minister, the Hon Kris Faafoi. This is a one-off resident visa that is targeted for up to 165,000 migrants — including around 9,000 primary industry workers.
In order to comply, a worker must have been in New Zealand on 29 September 2021 and be already subject to an eligible visa or have an application for an eligible visa submitted to Immigration New Zealand by this date. They must also meet one of the following three grounds:
1. ‘Settled’ worker: lived in New Zealand for at least the past three years
2. ‘Skilled’ worker: earn the median wage ($27 per hour) or above, or
3. ‘Scarce’ worker: their role is on a scarce role list.
Since 1 December 2021 migrants who have already applied for residency under certain applications will be eligible to apply under any of the above three categories; these applicants will be notified by Immigration New Zealand. From 1 March 2022 all other eligible migrants can apply.
The pathway is particularly targeted at the primary sector to reflect the difficulties in recruiting workers due to Covid.
It is important to note that this is not a permanent resident visa. An eligibility checker is available on Immigration New Zealand’s website here. Applications will be prioritised and, as a result, Skilled Migrant Expressions of Interest will be frozen until 31 July 2022 when the 2021 resident visa pathway closes.
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