Act proposes scrapping Permanent Resident Visa in immigration shake-up
The Act Party wants to scrap New Zealand’s Permanent Resident Visa and impose ongoing physical-presence requirements on Resident Visa holders who want to retain their travel rights.
Under the party’s proposal, Resident Visa holders would receive a five-year travel facility and need to spend at least 730 days in New Zealand during any rolling five-year period to retain it.
Act immigration spokeswoman Dr Parmjeet Parmar said the privileges of permanent residence should reflect a “real and lasting connection” to New Zealand.
“The strangest immigration policy we have is that permanent residents don’t have to be permanently resident.
“Under our policy, the existing Permanent Resident Visa category will be removed, and the existing Resident Visa changed.
“The 730 days would not need to be continuous, but the indefinite, unconditional right to leave and re-enter the country would be removed.
“This ensures that those who want the ability to travel to New Zealand as residents must continue to demonstrate a meaningful connection with our country.”
Currently, people who have held a Resident Visa for at least two years can apply for permanent residency, allowing them to come and go from New Zealand without travel restrictions.
People applying for permanent residency must already demonstrate a commitment to New Zealand, with several ways of meeting that requirement.
These include time spent in the country, New Zealand tax residence, investment, running a business or establishing a base here, according to the Immigration New Zealand website.
Act’s proposal would instead require resident visa holders to continue meeting a physical presence requirement to retain their travel facility.
Parmar said exemptions would be provided in some instances, including for people working overseas for New Zealand employers, accompanying family members, military personnel serving overseas and those with a citizen spouse.
Exemptions could also be granted for “compelling humanitarian reasons”.
Parmar said the policy would draw a clearer line between permanent residency and citizenship, giving migrants more reason to “graduate to citizenship”.
Permanent residency is not required before someone can become a New Zealand citizen, according to Immigration New Zealand.
Most people can apply for citizenship after living in New Zealand as a resident for five years, provided they meet other requirements.
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