Filipino dairy workers who used false paperwork to get work permits will become eligible for residence under a new visa for immigrants in the South Island.

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A visa document scam in 2015 exposed a widespread problem of workers exaggerating their experience and qualifications to get jobs on dairy farms.

The government introduced a one-off special category allowing about 4000 South Island temporary migrants a pathway to residence last month, saying standard character requirements would apply.

But Immigration New Zealand now says that will not be a barrier to accessing the South Island Contribution visa. This visa - available after a further two years on a dairy farm in the South Island - would make them eligible for residence.

They would not be eligible for the visa if they had provided further false documents since November 2015, or otherwise failed the character requirements.

It was estimated up to 600 Filipino dairy workers may have used false documents to get their initial visa.

Dual Filipino-New Zealand national Loraine Jayme was sentenced to home detention and community work last month for her part in the deception.

Filipino migrants paid her more than $2000 each for help in obtaining work visas.

Unite Union national director Mike Treen said earlier this month the one-off pathway for long-term workers to become residents should be extended nationwide.