August 2021 Immigration Updates

Skilled Migrant Category and Residence from Work updates:

As of 16 August 2021, Immigration New Zealand is allocating:

• Non-prioritised applications inside New Zealand received from 4 November 2019
• Prioritised applications within 2 weeks of the application joining the priority queue
• There are 13,064 unallocated applications on hand with 11,568 applications in the onshore general queue, 21 applications in the onshore priority queue and 1,475 applications in the offshore general queue.

NZ Visa Flexibility for Supermarket Workers

In response to the labour shortage during Alert Level 3 & 4, INZ has allowed 

• Supermarket work visa holders to work in roles other than those specified on their visas.
• Student visa holders working in supermarkets to work more than 20 hours per week.

This update only applies to those holding work or student visas currently, or an interim visa as a result of holding work or student visas previously AND already employed by a supermarket before lockdown started on 17 August 2021. It is effective from 20 August 2021 - 31 December 2023 - but only within Alert Levels 3 and 4. 

New Essential Skills Work Visa application form online

INZ encourages Essential Skills Work Visa applicants to use the new online form which is, available from 31st August 2021. More information here. 

NZ Visa Processing Under Alert Level 3&4

1. Current processing of online visa categories

Most INZ staff are working remotely and are focusing on online applications, including border exemptions. Covid restrictions do impact INZ’s ability to process paper applications since their physical drop boxes are closed. If you were intending to submit a request under Section 61, these can be received by INZ via email. Contact us for these details. Migration Exploitation Protection Work Visa which was originally intended to be a paper application can also be done online now. 

2. Employment Visa Escalations process

INZ continues to monitor Employment Visa Escalation requests however during the current restrictions they are unable to prioritise paper applications. 

You can make a request for a priority allocation of employment-related visa applications, however, a strict criteria applies. Please contact us for further information.

Are immigration rules causing you too much stress? Reach out to us today for a complimentary chat to learn how we can look after you and your family's immigration process.