Residency visas will made available for up to 165,000 migrants who've been in New Zealand through the Covid-19 pandemic.

The one-off new pathway will make NZ the permanent home for about 5,000 health and aged care workers, around 9,000 primary industry workers, more than 800 teachers, and other key workers.

Immigration Minister Kris Faafoi announced the 2021 Resident Visa this morning, which will include a simplified streamlined application process requiring health, police and security criteria to be met.

The majority of applications are expected to be granted within a year of the category opening.

Advertisement: Steph Jones Ray White Real Estate Te Anau

"We are providing a way forward for our migrant families who have been long disrupted by Covid-19, while ensuring businesses have the certainty they need to plan into the future and continue driving the economic recovery," Faafoi said.

"The changes give migrants certainty about their future here, allowing them to continue putting down roots, and will help reunite many families who were separated by the border restrictions that prevent Covid-19 entering the community.

"We acknowledge the uncertainty and difficulties COVID-19 and our closed borders have caused our migrant community. We have been carefully working through this residence option to offer certainty they need to truly make New Zealand their home."

Faafoi said the 2021 Resident Visa will also help NZ attract and retain the skills that businesses need to help relieve labour pressures caused by Covid-19.

Advertisement: Nind Electrical

"This is something employers have asked for and we are delivering. Employers will now have the opportunity to retain their settled and skilled migrant workers, reflecting the critical part they play in our economy, essential workforce and communities."

INZ estimate the eligible visa holders will also include around 15,000 construction and 12,000 manufacturing workers on relevant visa types.

"These people have all played an important role in keeping our country moving over the last 18 months," Faafoi said.

Federated Farmers immigration spokesperson Chris Lewis told RNZ there will be "big smiles in cowsheds and tractors across the country".

Advertisement: Freedom Companion Driving

"We have been losing people to Australia and Canada. New Zealand farm employers know what a threat these countries and their initiatives are to retaining our experienced agricultural workforce."

But he said there remains a significant shortfall of agricultural workers in many regions.

The visa will be available to most work-related visa holders, including Essential Skills, Work to Residence, and Post Study Work visas and their immediate family members.

To be eligible, the principal applicant must have been in New Zealand on 29 September 2021 and must hold or have applied for (and subsequently be granted) one of the eligible work visas.

Advertisement: Factory 2 Hair & Home

They must also meet one of the following criteria:

• lived in New Zealand for three or more years, or
• earn above the median wage ($27 per hour or more), or
• work in a role on the Long Term Skill Shortage List, or
• hold occupational registration and work in the health or education sector, or
• work in personal care or other critical health worker roles, or
• work in a specified role in the primary industries.

The visa will also be available for those who enter New Zealand as critical workers, and their families, for roles six months or longer until 31 July 2022.

Visa holders can also include their partners and dependents in their application.

The application process for the 2021 Resident Visa is simplified to deal with applications as quickly as possible. Applicants will still need to meet health requirements and pass police and security checks, as is required under the current residence application process.

Advertisement: Bombay Palace

Faafoi said the Government remains committed to rebalancing the immigration system, longer term.

"Our message to industries and employers remains clear; they need to look for ways to build resilient workforces and to attract, train and retain local workers and reduce their reliance on low-skilled migrant labour."

Applications for the 2021 Resident Visa will open in two phases; on 1 December 2021 and 1 March 2022.

Immigration New Zealand will contact visa holders who are eligible to apply from 1 December by the end of October with more information about the application process.