New Zealand | Permanent resident visa applications shifting online

New Zealand announced that applicants for permanent resident visas will be able to submit applications electronically by the end of January 2024.

Key Points:

• Applicants for permanent resident visas, second or subsequent resident visas and variation of travel conditions of a resident visas currently must submit applications using paper forms.
• Government officials stated that the current system limits an applicant’s ability to track the progress of their applications.
• Applicants will soon be able to apply on the Immigration Online website and check their application status online without having to call the INZ contact center, and will no longer have to physically submit certain supporting documents, including passports.

Additional Information: Nationals are only eligible for a permanent resident visa after holding a resident visa for at least two years. The start of the two-year period begins upon arrival in New Zealand on the resident visa. Applications for permanent residency will be denied if the applicant has not satisfied the two-year requirement.

BAL Analysis: Employees should check eligibility criteria before applying for permanent residency. The change should improve the application process and ease an applicant’s ability to apply for permanent residency.

This alert has been provided by the BAL Global Practice Group.

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