2021 Resident Visa for horticultural workers
Are you eligible? 2021 Resident Visa for horticultural workers
The recently announced the 2021 Resident Visa is a one-off, simplified pathway to residence that will have a significant and positive impact on as many as 165,000 migrants to New Zealand.
The scheme is available to most work-related visa holders. These include Essential Skills, Work to Residence, and Post Study Work visas. Around 9,000 primary industry workers and their immediate family members will be on a residence pathway under this new scheme.
IDESI LEGAL can assist you. The team of immigration lawyers at IDESI LEGAL has the training and experience to help with all types of New Zealand residency visa applications. Call us on 09 283 0157.
Horticultural workers are critical for New Zealand
Working in a ‘specified role in primary industries’ which is listed on a government ‘scare list’ is one of the criteria for being eligible for the 2021 Resident Visa, and that includes horticultural workers.
As a horticultural worker, you fulfil a specified primary sector job. If you are on an eligible work visa and are currently working in the orchards throughout Northland, you can apply for a one-off 2021 Resident Visa.
Call us on 09 283 0157. IDESI LEGAL specialise in New Zealand immigration law. We have the staff, experience and expertise to help you apply for New Zealand residency.
We can connect right across Northland
Even if we can’t meet face to face, we can still connect with you. IDESI LEGAL uses Microsoft Teams, so we can help you with your visa application wherever you are in Northland. We send you a link, you just click it, and we do the rest.
What is the scarce list?
One of the eligibility requirements for the New 2021 Resident Visa is, that you must work in a job on a scarce list. The following jobs are roles in a scarce list.
- Jobs on the Long-Term Skill Shortage List
- Specified primary sector jobs
If you’re a Northland horticultural worker, you’re a precious resource.
Specified primary sector jobs
If you find your job in the list in the dropdown below, you might qualify for the new 2021 Resident Visa.
Long Term Skills Shortage List
Agricultural and horticultural mobile plant operator
Arborist
Cotton Grower
Crop farm workers nec
Crop Farmers nec
Environmental consultant
Environmental engineer
Environmental manager
Environmental research scientist
Environmental scientists nec
Farm, forestry and garden workers
Florist
Forest scientist (NZ)
Forestry worker
Fruit and vegetable factory worker
Fruit and vegetable packer
Fruit or nut farm worker
Fruit or nut Grower
Fruit or nut picker
Gardener (general)
Field crop farm worker (NZ)
Grape Grower
Greenskeeper
Horticultural nursery assistant
Landscape gardener
Mixed crop and livestock farm worker
Mixed crop and livestock farmer
Mixed Crop farmer
Mushroom picker
Nurseypersons
Sugar Cane Grower
Tree faller
Turf Grower
Market garden worker (NZ)
Vegetable picker
Vineyard worker
Wine maker
Winery cellar hand
Who can apply for the one off 2021 Residence Visa?
There is no age limit or English language requirement to be eligible for the 2021 Resident Visa. However, the principal applicant must have been in New Zealand on 29 September 2021. Applicants need to be on an eligible visa at the time of application. For example, if an applicant was initially on an Essential Skills Work Visa (an eligible work visa), but later lost their job and changed to a Student Visa (non-eligible temporary visa) and they remained on the Student Visa, they may no longer be eligible for the 2021 Resident Visa.
For example, if you’ve been working as a landscaper, a gardener, or as a horticultural worker with the lemons, mandarins, oranges and other citrus crops across Northland, helping prune, pick and pack kiwifruit in Kerikeri or worked with avocado in the orchards in Whangarei to Kaitaia and the far north, we can help you apply for residency.
2021 Resident Visa applicants must also meet one of the following criteria:
- have lived in New Zealand for three or more years, or
- earn above the median wage ($27 per hour or more), or
- health, police and security criteria must be met.
Are family members eligible?
- Dependent children who have turned 25 may still have an opportunity to be included in their parents’ application.
- Family offshore can be included. Partners and spouses will still need to prove an ongoing relationship with the New Zealand based applicant.
Our Auckland immigration lawyers can accurately assess and advise whether family members both within and outside New Zealand can be included in your application.
Applications open 1 December 2021
The first group of people who can apply for the 2021 Resident Visa are those who have already applied for Residence under Skilled Migrant Category (two) or have applied for Residence from Work (Long Term Skills Shortage, Accredited Employer). Invitations have already been sent to most people eligible in this first group.
On 1st March 2022, all other people who are eligible for NZ residency, including all who have submitted an expression of interest, can apply.
The cut-off date to apply is 31 July 2022. If you need help, or are unsure what paperwork is required, we can help.
How much does the new visa cost?
As of 29/10/2021, the application fee is $2,160 including GST and the immigration levy.
- Anyone who already applied for residence (under either Skilled Migrant or Residence from Work) may receive a partial refund.
- Those who submitted a Skilled Migrant Expression of Interest will pay a top-up fee (being the difference between the EOI fee already paid and the application fee above).
Am I guaranteed New Zealand 2021 Residence Visa?
Not everyone will qualify for the 2021 Resident Visa. Even though it has been presented as a quick tick-box exercise guaranteeing residency to virtually all applicants, getting a one off 2021 Residence Visa is not as simplistic as that. We cannot emphasise enough how important it is to have qualified legal representation throughout the residency visa application process.
IDESI LEGAL can assist you wherever you are in Northland. Our team of Auckland immigration lawyers can connect with you online and work with you using video calls. Call us on 09 283 0157 to set up a meeting.
What if I don’t qualify for this new residence visa?
People holding working holiday visas, partnership work visas, and specific purpose work visas (SPV) are among those who are not eligible to apply. However, it may be that the Auckland IDESI LEGAL team can still help.
Talk to one of our experienced immigration lawyers about exploring alternative pathways to New Zealand residence. IDESI LEGAL has successfully represented people who have had these visa application issues in the past. We can still connect with you, even if we can’t meet face to face. IDESI LEGAL uses Microsoft Teams to continue to help you with your visa application. We send you a link, you just click it, and we do the rest.