Phase 2 Applications For The 2021 Resident Visa Open On 1 March

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 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.

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