INZ Prioritises The Processing Of Residence Visa Class Applications

Immigration New Zealand (INZ) has announced changes to the general instructions regarding prioritising the order and manner of processing residence class visa applications.  These changes came into effect on 24 November 2021.

Residence class visa applications which includes the 2021 Resident Visa, Skilled Migrant Category (SMC) or Residence from Work will be processed in lodgment date order. 

Further prioritization criteria will apply within each category.

Priority will be granted to applications submitted before 1^st March 2022 for the 2021 Resident Visa category if the candidate had as of 29 September 2021:

• Made an application for residence under the SMC; or
• Made an application for residence under Residence form Work Category; or
• Submitted an Expression of Interest (EOI) for SMC; and
• The application or EOI, includes a dependent child aged 17 years or above

Prioritization will also be given to certain permanent residence class visa categories such as:

• Afghan Emergency Resettlement Category
• Refugee and Protection Category
• Refugee Quota Family Reunification Category
• Community Organisation Refugee Sponsorship Category Pilot

Furthermore, priority will also be given to any other residence class visa applications where the applicant is in New Zealand or is in a country that is a Quarantine Free Travel (QFT) Zone and has lodged a residence class visa application from that country.

If you have queries or require assistance regarding the above information, please do not hesitate to contact Immigration Advisers New Zealand Ltd. at contact@nzimmigration.info or call on +64 09 3790219.  Our experienced team of Licensed Immigration Advisers will be happy to guide you.