INZ is making changes to how we prioritise some resident visa applications

[ag]

I got a friend who started two months earlier than me. We are paid almost at equal level, but as he is in a work to residence visa, he applied in January 2020 and got case officer in a week. I applied in March 2019 and still waiting case officer. Prior to this, I invested almost $34k in NZ just for university fees, he started fresh straight from his country.

When the process is a mess, its alright being selfish.

We are in the right place, in the wrong time.

Had you applied in the first half of 2018, it would only have taken 6 or 7 months. And leading up to elections, I don't think it will get any better.

[formulashp]

so once you're in the priority queue, expect your application done within 2months time huh.

[squishmaster]

None I'm afraid - Interim visas only apply if you hold a temporary category visa and apply for another temporary category visa. When holding a temporary category visa and applying for a Resident category visa, you are obligated to keep your temporary visa valid at all times until your Residence application is finalised.

Hi ERIN

Thanks for your reply.
So after 2 years on RFW talent visa if I apply for my residence and dont get it in 6 months , will I have to leave country? If I have to do so my job will be gone which is the very reson of my visa. Will this mean my residence appplication will be scrapped?

[IT_GUY]

I got a friend who started two months earlier than me. We are paid almost at equal level, but as he is in a work to residence visa, he applied in January 2020 and got case officer in a week. I applied in March 2019 and still waiting case officer. Prior to this, I invested almost $34k in NZ just for university fees, he started fresh straight from his country.

When the process is a mess, its alright being selfish.

Hi VedSaumya,

Can you please confirm if there might be another reason your friend was given priority as I'm also on a WTR visa and waiting since last year.

[karoro]

The partnership queue is handled by a different team, in a different location (Hamilton). The queue for partnership hasn't stopped. It may have slowed a bit, but over the past year, people on this forum have received CO's and approvals for partnership residence – whereas SMC stopped completely for people who didn't meet the internal criteria. Partnership should be unaffected by any changes to SMC.

Ahh, okay. Thank you MagicPizza

[EGoodhue]

Hi ERIN

Thanks for your reply.
So after 2 years on RFW talent visa if I apply for my residence and dont get it in 6 months , will I have to leave country? If I have to do so my job will be gone which is the very reson of my visa. Will this mean my residence appplication will be scrapped?

If you're on a Talent (Accredited Employer) work visa and have applied for Residence, there is an allowance in instructions at WR1.10.1 for getting a subsequent Talent (Accredited Employer) work visa to cover the period while a decision is being made on your Residence application. There's no specific instructions about getting another LTSSL work visa, but I expect if you still meet the LTSSL requirements, there's nothing preventing you applying for a new one if you're waiting for a Residence decision.

If you've applied for Residence under SMC, there's a provision in instructions at WK3.20.10 to apply for a 1 year Essential Skills work visa to cover you while a decision is being made on your SMC application - and there's no need for your employer to try and find a NZer to fill your job under this special provision of instructions.

[EGoodhue]

I spoke with Gill Bonnett, immigration reporter for Radio New Zealand, today - she is planning to do a news story about this announcement by INZ re: the priority criteria in the next week or so. I feel it's important to keep this issue in the media in an attempt to hold INZ accountable for what they have said about resuming allocations from the general queue.

[Tariq Shahzad]

EGoodhue,

Big round of applause for you! 👏👏👏

[Kaashvi]

EGoodHue, Great effort and thanks much 👌👌👏👏

I spoke with Gill Bonnett, immigration reporter for Radio New Zealand, today - she is planning to do a news story about this announcement by INZ re: the priority criteria in the next week or so. I feel it's important to keep this issue in the media in an attempt to hold INZ accountable for what they have said about resuming allocations from the general queue.

[EGoodhue]

I also missed a call from INZ's Manukau Operations Manager yesterday - he emailed to say he would like to discuss the announcement re: the priority criteria with me. Hoping to speak with him on Friday (as my work days are still fairly limited with a 6-month old baby).

Please be assured that I won't let this issue rest until I see that the queue is moving normally again and everyone is getting the service they deserve from INZ.