Immigration New Zealand advises the following;

Applications for the next phase of the 2021 Resident Visa will open from 10am on 1 March 2022. 

Those eligible will be able to apply online any time from then until 31 July 2022.  

We have made some operational decisions that mean there is no advantage to submitting an application in the first week.  

Applications made in the enhanced Immigration Online system received from 1 March will be held in our system. We will not start processing these until the end of March.   

Applications will then be released for processing in order of the principal applicant’s current visa expiry date at the time of their 2021 Resident Visa application.  

A medical certificate will not be needed to apply in the enhanced Immigration Online system. If a medical certificate or any further information is required, we will ask. 

Applicants will need to provide information from a valid passport. They will not need to send the document itself to us.

Anyone who needs a new passport has plenty of time as applications for the 2021 Resident Visa are open until 31 July 2022. 

Our enhanced Immigration Online system has been designed to cope with more applications, as this is expected under Phase 2.  

However, there is still a maximum number of people that can use the system at one time.  

When the Immigration Online system reaches maximum capacity, people already using the system will be able to submit their applications. However, those who try to log on will be advised to try again later or will be asked to wait until a space becomes available.  

We encourage you to be patient and to come back later, or the next day. We would like to make it clear that there is no advantage to applying on the first day or in the first few weeks. 

There is no limit to the number of applications a person can submit each day in the enhanced Immigration Online system. 

This means you do not have to apply for 'High Volume User' status. 

Advisers will need to upload a Resident Visa Declaration Form (INZ 1242) with all applications. 

Advisers should also note that from 1 March 2022 there will be two forms available on the INZ website: 

• The current form for those who have a Skilled Migrant Category (SMC), Residence from Work (RFW), or expression of interest (EOI) for Skilled Migrant Category in process. Payment is not required upfront when using this form. 
• A new form on the enhanced Immigration Online system for all other applicants. Payment is required upfront if applying on this form. 

Source INZ