Immigration updates: What's new this month?
Author: Steve Baker, Advisa Immigration Services Ltd. (A partner of Enterprise Recruitment)
2021 Resident Visa news
As we enter June, Immigration New Zealand (INZ) had decided 88.6% of all 2021 RV applications received. (217, 471 unique applications). The remaining 11.4% are still waiting unfortunately—a reasonably long wait, that makes you wonder, "why?". Some of these remaining applications are still at “Gathering Information” and “Under Assessment” stages. The new INZ IT System (Adept)—which has cost in the vicinity off 52 million dollars to build and implement—seems to be the root of the problem in a lot of cases. An overview of the Resident Visa (RV21) application process is explained below.
May 2023 changes to the 'Partner of a NZ worker work visa'
On of the 30th May 2023, INZ changed the 'Open Partnership' visa status for those who are applying as a couple for the 'Partner of a NZ worker work visa'.
This applied to all applicants from 31st May and in effect allows them to enter the country however unable to work. (Previously, they would have been able to work). The exception being for those Partners of workers on Green List roles or who met the 'High Pay Threshold'.
This created another huge surge in demand on INZ’s “new” IT system on the evening of the 30th May, as the rest of the world woke up. This resulted in a number of issues loading the requisite files for each application. INZ have undertaken a lot of change in the past 18 months and whilst one can’t question their motivation, you have to question their timing and the projected timeframes to implement these changes.
If you require specialist immigration advice, please don’t hesitate to contact Steve Baker, Advisa Immigration Services Ltd.
An overview of the RV21 application process
For applications at "Gathering Information" stage
A review of files at the ‘Preparing Application’ and ‘Gathering Information’ stages of 2021 RV has been undertaken to ensure that all applications will be progressing as expected. INZ has confirmed that files remaining at either of these stages are due to clients yet to respond to INZ requests – such as requests for partnership evidence, better quality face images, and medical tests – or pending third party security checks. If your client has submitted their medical reports and the application is at "Gathering Information" stage, then they will be awaiting third party security checks to be completed before progressing to "Under Assessment" stage. Please continue to wait for these to be completed. Status boxes are being reviewed and will be updated as appropriate.
It is expected the majority of applications will be processed within 18 months from when INZ opened this policy. (December 2021).
For applications at "Under Assessment" stage
There are no set processing timeframes for individual applications. 2021 Resident Visas are allocated on a first-in, first-out basis, based on the date that the file has reached the "Under Assessment" stage, not the date when an application was lodged.
The exceptions are those files marked as priority, which will be allocated immediately once the file is at the "Under Assessment" stage. Customers will not be able to escalate any applications that are showing this status unless they meet previously communicated criteria for prioritisation, as per the employment visa escalations process (EVE process).
The length of time since the visa application was submitted is not an appropriate reason for escalation in itself.
Only applications at "Under Assessment" stage can be escalated through EVE and such escalations should not be sent multiple times or directly to branch staff as this takes up time and resource and could impact on the overall service INZ is able to offer. If prioritisation applies to your application, this will only be able to be actioned once the application reaches "Under Assessment" stage due to key checks such as identity checks needing to be completed before the application reaches under assessment and these cannot be influenced.
Looking for immigration advice? Visit
advisa.co.nz
