Cook Islands permanent resident applications are open with 140 available spaces to be filled.

A press release from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Immigration (MFAI) said the awarding process would be administered in the coming weeks.    

The last awarding process was held in 2012 and 2013 where more than 200 non-Cook Islanders were awarded permanent resident (PR) status under the Cook Islands Entry Residence and Departures Act 1971/72.

The Cook Islands Immigration Act 2021, passed by Parliament at the end of last year, provides for a cap of 500 persons for PR caps in their own right - which makes available 140 spots.

There is no cap on eligible people applying for PR as a spouse of a Cook Islander or permanent resident.

There is also no cap on people under the age of 18 applying for PR as an eligible child.

Prime Minister, Mark Brown said: “I am pleased our Government is now in a position to consider and award PR to deserving residents who have lived amongst and contributed to our communities and economy over the last decade and more.”

“The criteria and process for the granting of PR as detailed in the regulations encapsulate the expectations of our society of residents and the immense contribution migrants have made to the Cook Islands over the years.”   

Those wanting to apply need to lodge an expression of interest with MFAI which costs $500. If the expression of interest fits the PR eligibility criteria the applicant is invited to apply for PR which costs a further $500.

The press release said: “This is a fee reduction approved by Cabinet for this PR round only – the PR fee is $1740. The fee concession is in recognition of current financial constraints brought about by Covid-19 impacts.”

MFAI Secretary, Tepaeru Herrmann said the ministry recognised a number of residents who have waited for PR for some time.

“In some cases, many years and are eager to get their applications in quickly,” she said.

“We’ve reallocated personnel resources to prioritise PR applications processing over the next couple of weeks and done a lot of work to simplify and streamline the application process.

 “We look forward to working closely with applicants to ensure timely processing of applications.”

After the Act passed in late November 2021, Brown said over 100 people were set to receive permanent residency before Christmas but backtracked a week later and said he “jumped the gun a little bit”.

Brown said in December last year, people would get PR in January or February 2022.