Visa processing times are taking longer since December 2018.
Unfortunately, this news is not ideal for migrants and New Zealand employers!
Are you applying for a New Zealand visa?
Make sure the information in your application is complete and correct. Any mistake can delay the processing of your visa.
Immigration New Zealand (INZ) receives high numbers of applications between November and March. Therefore, it takes more time to get visas ready during that period.
Submit your request as early as possible to allow enough time for your application to be processed before the date you intend to travel.
What does "visa processing times" mean?
Processing times describe the time needed by INZ to process your visa application once you have lodged it.
Individual processing times will depend on the complexity of an application, on the need for further information and on the number of other applications received.
The expected processing times are now exceeding previous processing times.
While the processing time for work visa applications previously was at around 23 days, it has now been increased to approximately 45 days.
Unfortunately, this news is putting additional pressure on migrants and their families who have successfully secured a job offer and want to start working as soon as possible.
Our Licensed Immigration Advisers and their support team are doing their best to keep any additional delays at bay.
Anticipated visa processing times published by INZ:
Visitor Visa
| Visitor Visa | 50% of applications completed within: | 75% of applications completed within: | 90% of applications completed within: |
|---|---|---|---|
| Visitor (Holiday) | 12 days | 22 days | 30 days |
Work Visa
| Work Visas | 50% of applications completed within: | 75% of applications completed within: | 90% of applications completed within: |
|---|---|---|---|
| Essentials Skills | 22 days | 45 days | 3 months |
| Partner of a New Zealander | 43 days | 3 months | 6 months |
| Partner of student | 42 days | 79 days | 5 months |
| Partner of worker | 30 days | 52 days | 3 months |
| Post-study work visa - employer-assisted | 23 days | 34 days | 51 days |
| Post-study work visa - open | 23 days | 34 days | 51 days |
| Variation of conditions on a work visa | 11 days | 24 days | 42 days |
Resident Visa
| Residence Class Visas | 50% of applications completed within: | 75% of applications completed within: | 90% of applications completed within: |
|---|---|---|---|
| Partner of a New Zealander | 8 months | 9 months | 10 months |
| Permanent Resident Visa | 12 days | 18 days | 30 days |
| Skilled Migrant | 5 months | 10 months | 14 months |
| Transfer of visa to new passport | 10 days | 14 days | 22 days |
| Variation of travel conditions on a resident visa | 12 days | 19 days | 27 days |
Many applicants will need a Job Offer to be successful in their visa application
Our Skilled Migrant Self Assessment Guide explains why:
--> Expression of Interest Self Assessment Points Guide
What can you do to cut down the processing time of your visa application?
To understand how to speed up your application, it is essential to look at the process:
1. Submission of visa application
After you have submitted your application, it will be scanned by a receiving officer, who will check whether all documents have been submitted in the prescribed manner.
Delays will occur if your documents are not complete and your application is returned to you as a consequence.
2. Lodgement and allocation of visa application
Once your application has been formally accepted, it is lodged and allocated to an immigration case officer who will be in charge of deciding whether you will be granted the visa.
3. Eligibility Check and Verification of visa application
The case officer will assess your eligibility and determine whether you have proven that you are eligible for the specific visa type you have applied for.
If applicable, the case officer will also confirm the details you have given about your partner and children.
If your case officer questions your eligibility under the policy you have chosen or is not convinced that you have provided sufficient evidence for meeting all the criteria of that policy, you will be given a chance to explain yourself and submit further documents.
Over the years we have seen major delays when important documents, for example, police certificates and qualification or work-related documents were not at hand when requested by Immigration New Zealand.
In many cases, documents have to be obtained from the migrant's home countries, which can be difficult and very time-consuming.
Any request for further information or evidence will delay your process for several weeks.
It is needless to say that requests for clarification and verification will not only cause delays but also increase your stress levels.
What can you do to speed up your visa process?
Choosing the right visa type right from the start and submitting a complete visa application will be the best way to speed up your visa application process.
We have seen work visas issued within a couple of days, much to the delight of our clients and their new employers.
Competent visa advice and careful preparation are the keys to a smooth visa application process, regardless of which type of visa you are applying for.
Read more about the duration of your migration process:
Are you eligible for a Resident Visa under the Skilled Migrant Category? Find out by using our Quick Self-Check Guide.
Read more about becoming a New Zealand resident through the Skilled Migrant Category:
- Get powerful Job Search Assistance
- Can we guarantee you a job?
- Will you be able to claim points for your qualifications?
- Will you be able to claim points for your professional expertise?
- Is your profession on one of the Skill Shortage Lists?
- Will you meet the English language requirements?
- How much will it cost to migrate?
Ask our Licensed Immigration Advisers
If you want to find out what it takes to migrate to New Zealand ask our Licensed Immigration Adviser Dr.Carsten Hallwass for a Free Assessment.
Free Assessment