The 2021 Resident Visa opens to Phase One applicants on Wednesday 1 December 2021 at 6:00 AM.
Changes have been made to Temporary Entry instructions to implement a new interim visa for the 2021 Resident Visa Category. These instructions are effective on and after 1 December 2021.
2021 Interim Visa
INZ will grant interim visas of up to 12 months to 2021 Resident Visa applicants awaiting a decision to ensure they remain lawful while their applications are processed.
Once a 2021 Interim Visa starts, its duration depends on the outcome of the 2021 Resident Visa application, as below.
If the application for 2021 Resident Visa is approved within 12 calendar months of the 2021 Interim Visa’s start date, the 2021 Interim Visa would be cancelled on the start date of the further visa.
If the application for 2021 Resident Visa is declined within 12 calendar months of the 2021 Interim Visa’s start date, the 2021 Interim Visa would expire 2 calendar months after the date the 2021 Resident Visa is declined.
If the application for 2021 Resident Visa is withdrawn within 12 calendar months of the 2021 Interim Visa’s start date, the 2021 Interim Visa would expire 2 calendar months after the date the application for a further temporary visa is withdrawn.
If the application for 2021 Resident Visa is still under consideration 12 calendar months after the 2021 Interim Visa’s start date, the 2021 Interim Visa would expire 12 calendar months from the 2021 Interim Visa’s start date.
If the 2021 Resident Visa application is declined or withdrawn before the applicant’s current temporary visa expires, the 2021 Interim Visa will expire the day the 2021 Resident Visa application is declined or withdrawn.
If the 2021 Resident Visa application is approved before the applicant’s current temporary visa expires, the 2021 Interim Visa will be cancelled on the start date of the 2021 Resident Visa.
Key points to note:
The 2021 Interim Visa will have the same rights as the applicant’s current temporary visa.
There would be no travel conditions applied to the 2021 interim visa.
Applicants on Employer Specific work visas like Essential Skills Work Visa holders would not be able to change their conditions of work, including their employer when they are on the 2021 Interim Visa.
Work to Residence visa holders whose visa may be expiring while their 2021 Resident Visa application is being processed and have a pathway to Residence from Work, need to consider being on the 2021 Interim Visa, as their 2021 Interim Visa would not allow them to apply for a Residence from Work application, when they become eligible; and they cannot renew a further Work to Residence Visa in the future as well.