A one-off residence pathway

The Minister of Immigration recently announced the 2021 Resident Visa is a simplified residence pathway for around 165,000 migrants in New Zealand.

The 2021 Resident Visa is a more simplified process for migrants as more businesses and migrants will have more clarity to plan for the future.

Benefits of the new visa include:

• A one-off resident visa for up to 165,000 migrants provides certainty for New Zealand businesses to plan ahead • The visa creates a residence pathway for over 5,000 health and aged care workers around 9,000 primary industry workers and more than 800 teachers • This well-organised application process will require a health, police, and security check • Most applications will be granted within a year of the category opening.

The Minister of Immigration Kris Faafoi says, “we are providing a way forward for our migrant families who have been long disrupted by COVID-19, while ensuring businesses have the certainty they need to plan into the future and continue driving the economic recovery. “The changes give migrants certainty about their future here, allowing them to continue putting down roots, and will help reunite many families who were separated by the border restrictions that prevent COVID-19 entering the community.” The government understands there’s still uncertainty for migrants struggling in the country due to the borders being closed. Kris says offering the new visa will ensure migrants feel supported, safe, and secure, as well as benefit employers who can hire migrants in their workplace again, which will help grow the economy. Immigration New Zealand estimates eligible visa holders will also include around 15,000 construction and 12,000 manufacturing workers on relevant visa types, but only some might be eligible. “These people have all played an important role in keeping our country moving over the last 18 months,” Kris says. Most people with a work-related visa (including their immediate family) will be able to use the new resident visa, such as Essential Skills, Work to Residence, and Post Study Work visas. The new visa also applies to essential workers entering New Zealand through the critical worker border exceptions for roles six months or longer until July 31 next year. Visa holders can also have their partners and dependents listed in their applications. To be eligible to use this one-off residence pathway, the main applicant had to be in New Zealand on September 29 this year, as well as hold or have already applied for (and are granted) one of the eligible work visas. Visa holders must also meet at least one of the following criteria to be eligible: • Lived in New Zealand for three years or more • Earn above the median wage ($27 per hour or more) • Work in a position that's written on the Long

Term Skill Shortage List • Hold occupational registration and work in the health or educational sector • Work in personal care or other critical health worker positions • Work in a specified position in the primary industries (mining, agriculture or forestry). Note: The 2021 Resident Visa isn’t eligible for those with short-term visas (visitors, students, working holidaymakers, and seasonal employees). Applications will open in two phases; the first phase will be held on December 1 this year and the second phase will be on March 1 next year. Immigration New Zealand will contact visa holders who are eligible to apply as of December 1, hopefully by the end of October with more information about the process. Kris says “the government is committed to rebalancing the immigration system for those who can come to work, study, and live in New Zealand once our borders re-open”. The government’s message to industries and employers is to make sure the workplace is very flexible and accommodating. Employers should make sure they still hire and train local workers, but also ensure they rely less on untrained migrant labour. Immigration New Zealand has an eligibility checker used as more of a guide than a confirmation of eligibility. Check the guide via: www.immigration.govt.nz/ new-zealand-visas/already-have-a-visa/one-offresidence-visa.

CRS exists to support people from refugee and migrant backgrounds living in Otautahi/Christchurch to settle successfully in Aotearoa/New Zealand by providing a range of professional services that build on strengths to promote wellbeing and resilience.

BILINGUAL COMMUNITY WORK

Providing cultural, linguistic and communitybased support to clients from refugee backgrounds and staff across all areas of service delivery.

CULTURALLY AND LINGUISTICALLY DIVERSE (CALD) COUNSELLING

Providing counselling for people from CALD backgrounds, either in their mother tongue, or through an interpreter.

HEALTH PROMOTION

Improving social inclusion, wellbeing and positive health practices for people from refugee and migrant backgrounds.

SOCIAL WORK

A social work response for resettlement and acculturation issues, mental health and family violence.

BILINGUAL TUTOR AND CHILDCARE SUPPORT AT LIVING WELL IN CHRISTCHURCH

In partnership with English Language Partners, CRS provides a bilingual tutor and childcare support for the pre-school children of the learners attending the programme.