A16.1 General Instructions as to the order and manner of...

A16.1 General Instructions as to the order and manner of processing residence applications

Immigration Act Section 13BA

Pursuant to section 13BA of the Immigration Act 1987 and acting under delegated authority from the Chief Executive of the Department of Labour, I hereby give the following general instructions as to the order and manner of processing residence applications under Government residence policy:

1. First priority will be given to the following types and categories of applications for residence visas and permits in preference to applications under other types and categories:
   1. Skilled Migrant Category (SMC) applications with job offers will have priority;
   2. All business categories;
   3. Residence from Work policies:
      • Talent (Accredited Employer);
      • Talent (Arts, Culture and Sport);
      • Long Term Skill Shortage List;
   4. Refugee Policy;
   5. Partnership and Dependent Child Policy applications where the sponsor is,
      • a New Zealand citizen, or
      • the holder of a an Indefinite Returning Resident Visa, and who has been absent from New Zealand for a period of at least two years prior to the date of the application being accepted for consideration apart from short visits within that period. (Note that in the case of a partnership application the New Zealand sponsor must have been living together for 12 months or more in a partnership that is genuine and stable).
2. Second priority will be given to the following types and categories of applications for residence visas and permits:
   1. Partnership and Dependent Child applications (other than those in instruction (a)).
3. Third Priority will be given to the following types and categories of applications for residence visas and permits:
   1. Parent Policy;
   2. Adult Sibling and Adult Child Policy.
4. These instructions do not prevent visa and immigration officers according urgency to the processing of any particular residence application when the individual circumstances so warrant that.
5. The previous General Instructions made pursuant to section 13BA of the Immigration Act 1987 are revoked.

___________________

Steve Cantlon

Group Manager, Service Delivery

___________________

Date: 21 July 2009

Effective 21/07/2009