With over 12,000 applications submitted for phase one applicants of the 2021 Resident Visa (2021 RV), and over 7,000 applications being approved, the 2021 RV is well under way.
As 1 March 2022 fast approaches, phase two applicants should be gathering their documents now. There will be about 165,000 2021 RV applicants, so the last thing any applicant needs to learn is that they have provided the incorrect documents or information. This would delay the approval and may even lead to rejection.
Documents
It is key to supply the correct documents. More does not necessarily mean better!
The core documents are required regardless of whether you qualify by virtue of being “Settled”, “Skilled’ or in a “Scarce” occupation are:
- A scanned copy of your passport, and check whether it will expire soon;
- A scanned copy of your birth certificate, naming both your parents; and
- A JPG electronic passport photo of you (these must meet specific guidelines).
Medical checks
Are your medical certificates still valid? This is a key consideration, as getting an appointment with an approved doctor is difficult at the moment. Therefore, if you need to get a Limited Medical Certificate and/or a Chest X-ray Certificate, work this out now and book the appointment as soon as you can.
Character
Do you have any convictions? Have you declared them in previous visa applications? It is important that you provide all the correct information to INZ. Otherwise, your application can be declined.
Settled
If applying under settled, only the core documents are required. You can request a Travel Movement Report from Immigration New Zealand to ensure you do meet the requirements. Settled is the most document-light pathway.
Skilled
Skilled requires the most documents as Immigration New Zealand must ensure you earn at least $27 an hour, including on 29 September 2021. In addition to the core documents, the below documents are also needed:
- Your employment agreement along with the job description, and some other evidence of your earnings such as:
- A signed letter from your employer confirming your job title, wage/salary and hours of work;
- Your bank statements showing receipt of your wages from the period 29 September 2021 – 1 March 2022;
- Your wage slips from the period 29 September 2021 – 1 March 2022; and
- Your Inland Revenue Department summary of income, confirming your income from 29 September 2021 – 1 March 2022.
Scarce
In addition to the core documents, the below documents are also required:
- Individual Employment Agreement with job description;
- A signed letter from your employer confirming your job title, wage/salary of work and confirming the nature of your work; and
- Evidence of provisional or full registration (if your job requires it).
Partners
If you are including your partner into your 2021 RV application, you must show that you enjoy a genuine and stable relationship and you have lived together for at least 12 months. You will need to provide:
- A copy of the marriage certificate (if applicable);
- Documents to prove you have been living together for at least 12 months (such as joint bank statements, joint insurance documents or documents addressed to you individually, but at the same address);
- Documents to prove you enjoy a genuine and stable relationship (such as photos, letters from family/friends attesting to your relationship); and
- A relationship timeline explaining how you met, major events in your relationship and future plans.
Applying for your 2021 RV earlier
If you have submitted a Skilled Migrant Category expression of interest (EOI) before 1 August 2021, you will be eligible to apply for the 2021 RV earlier. How early depends on when you submitted your EOI. That being said, even if you do fit under this, the earliest possible date you can apply is from yesterday, 21 February 2022.
To find out whether you can apply for your 2021 RV earlier, and to ensure your application is submitted timely with the correct documents, talk to our immigration team. We will explain the process and guide you along your 2021 RV application.
Disclaimer: The content of this article is general in nature and not intended as a substitute for specific professional advice on any matter and should not be relied upon for that purpose.
