2021 Resident Visa: Know All About Settled Criteria

The announcement by the New Zealand Government of the new one-off 2021 Resident Visa on 30 September 2021 offers a seemingly easy pathway to residence. However, to be eligible, applicants must have been in New Zealand on 29 September 2021 and be on an eligible visa or have applied for one before 29 September that is subsequently granted.

Besides the above two mandatory criteria, applicants must also meet any one of the following criteria– Settled, Skilled or Scarce. In this article, we will talk about the ‘Settled’ criterion.

Settled Criteria – Eligibility

The settled criterion is applicable to those who have lived in New Zealand for the past 3 years or more. However, it cannot be just any 3 years. You must also:

• have arrived in New Zealand on or before 29 September 2018 and
• have spent at least 75% of the 3 years (821 days) in New Zealand during the period of 29 September 2018 to 29 September 2021 (inclusive)

The period of living in New Zealand does not have to be consecutive and there is no minimum amount within a calendar year requirement.

Documentary Evidence Required

To determine whether an applicant meets the settled criterion, Immigration New Zealand will use the border movement records available with them. The best part is no further evidence will be required unless requested by an Immigration Officer. It is often said that incorrect documentation is worse than no documentation. Hence, make sure that you calculate your eligibility accurately.

Do you meet the settled criterion of the new 2021 Resident Visa? If the answer is YES, then don’t miss the chance to gain resident status in New Zealand! Get in touch with Immigration Advisors New Zealand Ltd, which provides up-to-date immigration information so you can consider opportunities and prepare yourself for the future. To know all the required procedures, contact us at contact@nzimmigration.info or call on +64 09 3790219.

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