Since moving into Level 2 Lock Down, Immigration New Zealand have been able to start to process more visa categories again. Currently 97% of onshore Immigration Officers are able to work, however all offshore offices remain closed.
As a result, INZ have been able to resume the processing of residence class visa applications from Thursday 14 May 2020 and are prioritising residence class and temporary entry class visa applications by the criteria below:
Residence visa applications
Applications where the applicant is in New Zealand will be prioritised over applications where the applicant is overseas.
For onshore applications priority will be given as below:
Skilled Migrant Category (SMC)
- Applications with job offers that have an hourly rate equivalent to or higher than twice the median wage (currently $51.00 per hour or an annual salary of $106,080 or more)
- Applicants with job offers that hold current occupational registration where registration is required by immigration instructions
Residence from Work Category applications: Talent (Accredited Employer) and Long Term Skill Shortage List
- Applications which include a job offer with an hourly rate equivalent to or higher than twice the median wage (currently $51.00 per hour or an annual salary of $106,080 or more)
- Applications which include a job offer which requires occupational registration where occupational registration is required by immigration instructions.
Second priority will be given to residence class visa applications where the applicant is out of New Zealand.
Temporary visa applications
Priority will be given to
- Applications for critical workers to support the Government response to COVID-19
- Other temporary visa applicants that are in New Zealand
You can find information regarding INZ’s Limited travel ban exceptions on their website.
