TBM Staff - Mumbai In a significant move, the New Zealand government has transitioned the application process for Permanent Resident Visas (PRV), Second or Subsequent Resident Visas (SSRV), and Variation of Travel Conditions of a resident visa (VOTC) to an entirely online platform. This change, implemented from January 2024, means that immigrants seeking these visas will no longer be required to submit physical copies of documents such as passports unless under special circumstances or exceptions.
Applicants can now conveniently apply online, track the status of their applications, and receive notifications about the decision-making timeframe. It is crucial for applicants to ensure that they meet all eligibility criteria before submission to avoid potential declines and additional processing fees.
The initiative aims to streamline the immigration process, providing ease and accessibility. While certain permanent resident visa types, such as the Global Impact Permanent Resident Visa and the Afghan Emergency Resettlement Permanent Resident Visa, are not part of the current online transition, applicants for these visas should continue to use the paper form.
The online application requirement encompasses various visas, including Accredited Employer Work Visa, Skilled Migrant Category Resident Visa, Visitor Visa, and Working Holiday Visas, among others.
Notably, the Permanent Resident Visa allows individuals who have held a resident visa for over two years to live permanently in New Zealand. This visa facilitates indefinite re-entry to the country, enabling individuals to live, work, and study with the flexibility to travel to and from New Zealand at their convenience, along with their partner and dependent children aged 24 and under as specified in the visa application.
