Updates from INZ - 6 September 2022

INZ has announced the opening of its Straight to Residency pathway and its refugees settlement quota.

Minister of Immigration Michael Wood has announced that applications for the Green List Straight to Residence pathway are open on Monday.

The Straight to Residence pathway is now open for eligible skilled migrants looking to apply for residence in New Zealand. This pathway provides an opportunity for those with the skills and experience to build a successful future in New Zealand. Those with a job or a job offer in one of the specific roles included on this pathway may be eligible to apply for residence. The pathway will help address the increasing need for workers with highly specialized skills in NZ.

“This new pathway offers potential migrants, like health practitioners, engineers, construction and infrastructure workers, and IT professionals more certainty. The streamlined process makes it easier for employers to attract and hire people that will help address shortages in these highly skilled areas.

“This is one of three new residence pathways introduced as part of the Government’s immigration rebalance. Skilled migrants on the ‘Work to Residence’ and ‘Highly Paid’ resident pathways will be able to apply from 29 September 2023, once they have obtained 24 months of acceptable work in New Zealand,” Michael Wood said.
 
Minister Wood also confirmed this year’s Refugee quota and key decisions for the next 3 years of the Refugee Quota Programme.

The Refugee Quota Programme is a key part of New Zealand's humanitarian response to global refugee crises. It provides a safe and legal pathway for refugees to come to New Zealand, where they can rebuild their lives in safety and dignity.

The programme is back at its full capacity and INZ will resettle 1,500 refugees each year.

“As part of the 1,500 intake, 200 places will be allocated to resettle Syrian refugees, including Kurdish minorities, located in Iraq, Jordan and Lebanon, given the huge scale and prolonged nature of the Syrian refugee crisis and the coordinated international resettlement efforts.

“We are also pleased to be able to increase the number of emergency and urgent resettlement places for the quota from 35 to 100, as well as bringing forward the 200 places specifically set aside for Afghan refugees as a result of the Taliban takeover in 2021 to 200 places for the 2022/23 period.

“In addition to these places, Afghan refugees can be considered for resettlement to New Zealand as part of the Quota’s international allocations.

“These changes ensure that the programme remains responsive to the protection needs of refugees coming into New Zealand,” Michael Wood said.
 
The programme is essential to New Zealand's efforts to meet its international humanitarian obligations, and it makes an important contribution to the global refugee resettlement regime.