The wait times for visitor, work, student, resident and other visa types depend on the visa policy and the complexity of your case.
You can view the estimated official average Immigration New Zealand processing times listed by visa category below.
Choosing the right visa type and lodging a complete visa application will make a huge difference for the speedy processing of your visa.
Find out how long it takes Immigration New Zealand to process visa applications.
(The wait times below are based on actual processing times in March 2024)
Some visa applications may take longer to process than others. If your application is taking longer than what is shown on this page you can find out what factors may affect visa wait times.
One reason your application might be taking longer than expected is if your application is complex. These are some of the factors that can make your application complex:
A straightforward application:
An important factor for the length of time it will take until you receive your visa is of course the complexity of your individual application.
Health or character issues will delay the decision-making process, if they are not fully addressed
If your application is missing vital documentary evidence, Immigration New Zealand will request further information. This will delay the decision-making process considerably.
Choosing the right visa type right from the start and submitting a professionally compiled and complete visa application will be the best way to speed up your visa application process.
Start working on your visa application as early as possible to be ready for your application to be submitted as soon as you fulfil all eligibility requirements.
In many cases, documents have to be obtained from the migrant’s home countries, which can be difficult and very time-consuming.
Only include evidence that INZ asks for in your application. If you include additional evidence that they have not asked for this can slow down the processing time for your visa.
If you have provided evidence with your application that is in the wrong format, outdated or that is not in English, this could also slow down the processing time for your visa.
A lot of work can be done to prepare a flawless visa application that will not require any unnecessary queries from Immigration New Zealand when time is of the essence.
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 and to avoiding delays, regardless of which visa type you are applying for.
Read about how ourVisa Service will manage your visa application and help you speed up your visa application process.
Join our Immigration and Job Hunt Webinar to learn how we can help you avoid unnecessary delays in your visa application process.
Complete our Free Assessment to ask our Licensed Immigration Advisers which pathway to New Zealand is right for you.
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At first, Maj kindly explained the whole process and what to expect. I was coached and introduced to New Zealand job market by their Job Search team, and getting assistance until I got a job in the country. The Visa team would also follow me up on my pending documents, so I never felt left out. Truly recommended for those seeking out an option to live in New Zealand. Big thanks from me and my whole family for things NZIC did for us..!
NZIC helped me in my way to get a Visa and job search. They were always available to talk to and were open to all sorts of questions. No matter how random they were. Very friendly staff. And even when they had changes in employee and advisors, they always stayed professional and up to date. I can only say good things and recommend them highly.
Very pleased and satisfied with the service we received from NZIC. They assisted me and my family from start to finish. Always willing to assist, and communicated our progress every step of the way. With their assistance we managed to obtain permanent resident visa status.
