New S6 Resident Visa 2021
On 30th of September 2021, INZ announced a one-off resident visa programme to acknowledge the contribution temporary workers during the Covid-19 pandemic. This new residence pathway will give 165,000 migrants a window (until July 2022) to apply for residence in New Zealand.
Eligibility
To be eligible for the S6 resident visa, you must have been in New Zealand (or had applied for) on 29th September 2021 on one of the following visas:
- Post Study Work Visa
- Talent (Accredited Employer) Work Visa
- Essential Skills Work Visa
- Religious Worker Work Visa
- Talent (Arts, Culture, Sports) Work Visa
- Long Term Skill Shortage List Work Visa
- Silver Fern Practical Experience Work Visa
- Trafficking Victim Work Visa
- Migrant Exploitation Protection Work Visa
- Skilled Migrant Category Job Search Work Visa
- Victims of Family Violence Work Visa
- South Island Contribution Work Visa
- Work Visa granted under Section 61 of the Immigration Act
- Some Critical Purpose Visitor Visas
Holders of eligible visas must meet ONE of the following three criteria to qualify for residence:
Settled
First arrival in New Zealand was on or before 29th September 2018
You have spent a total of 851 days between the period 29 September 2018- 29 September 2021 in New Zealand
Skilled
You have been employed in a role that pays at or above the current NZ median wage ($27/hr).
You were employed in the role on 29th September 2021 on a full-time basis (30 hours/week).
You continue to be employed (full-time) in a role that meets the salary requirement, or you are working in a role listed on the INZ’s Scarce List at the time you submit your resident visa application.
Scarce
On 29th September 2021 you were employed (full-time) in a role that is listed on INZ’s Scarce List.
You continue to be employed (full-time) in an occupation listed on the INZ’s Scarce List or a role that pays at or above the median wage at the time you submit your resident visa application.
You can access INZ’s Scarce List here.
Standard character requirements and limited health requirements apply. You can include your immediate family (partner and dependent children) regardless of if they are currently in New Zealand or not.
Process
INZ will process applications in two phases as explained below:
Phase 1
You have already applied for residence under the Skilled Migrant or Residence from Work categories on or before 29 September 2021, or
You have submitted a Skilled Migrant Category Expression of Interest and have included your dependent child in the Expression of Interest aged 17 years or older on 29 September 2021.
Phase 2
From 1 March 2022 all other eligible applicants can apply, including all others who have submitted a Skilled Migrant Category Expression of Interest.
PLEASE NOTE: All the applications must be submitted prior to 31st July 2022.