Phase 2 applications for the 2021 Resident Visa begins today

Phase 2 applications for the 2021 Resident Visa opened from 10 am Today, but submitting an application on the first day does not mean it will be processed first, says Immigration New Zealand’s Head of Digital and Programmes, Darren Calder.

“Phase 2 applications will be submitted using our enhanced Immigration Online system and we have been working hard to make sure the system can manage the large volume of applications expected under Phase 2,” Darren Calder says.

“Immigration Online has been significantly upgraded to increase the number of people able to apply each day. On top of this, we have also made some operational changes that mean individuals who don’t apply on the first day will not be disadvantaged.”

“The changes include:

• All Phase 2 applications made in the enhanced Immigration Online system will be held in the system until the end of March.
• From the end of March, these applications will be released for processing in order of the principal applicant’s current visa expiry date as at the time of their application.

“These changes mean there is no advantage to applying on 1 March. Submitting your application first does not determine when it will be processed, so we encourage people to take their time to apply,” Darren Calder says.

People applying through enhanced Immigration Online will not need to submit supporting documentation with their application, including medical certificates.

“We know some people have been concerned about getting their medical certificate in time to submit their application. As a result, people applying through enhanced Immigration Online will not need a medical certificate to be able to submit their application. If one is required, they will be asked to provide this, and any other documents, when we begin processing their application,” Darren Calder says.

“This will help ease the demand that immigration panel physicians have been experiencing in recent weeks.

-INZ