We understand how important it is to you that we process your application as quickly as possible. Please find below some information that will help you to understand how long it is likely to take to process your application.
We will receipt all applications and load them into our computer system within 24 hours. If you have provided your email address or mobile phone number, you will receive notification that we have received your application.
The table below shows the percentage of applications processed in the branch within 25 days for the last three months.
In some cases, where more information is needed to support an application, for example a labour market check or a medical referral, applications can take considerably longer than 25 days. Other than the table above, we are unable to predict how long each individual application is likely to take, but we are committed to delivering the fastest possible service and we will keep in touch with you throughout the process of your application.
For more detailed information about what we require from you when you send in your application for a work visa, please go to work visa information.
Processing resident visa applications can be a time-consuming process, and can be delayed by a number of factors. We have provided the information below as a general guide to when you can expect a decision from us.
The pool draw, which may allocate your Expression of Interest (EOI) to Christchurch branch, occurs every two weeks.
An immigration officer will make an initial assessment of your EOI within two to three weeks of the pool draw, however at times this may take longer. Your case officer will then contact you, either inviting you to apply for residence or requesting further information.
If you are successful in your EOI you will receive an Invitation to Apply (ITA) pack. Please read the instructions carefully.
Once your resident visa application has been lodged with Immigration New Zealand (INZ) it will be given priority. It is likely to take up to two months for you to be allocated a case officer.
Within New Zealand’s Immigration Programme, priority is given to residence applications under certain categories.
First priority – Partnership and Dependent Child applications (where sponsored by a New Zealand expatriate). The sponsor must be a New Zealand citizen or the holder of a Permanent Resident Visa. In addition, the sponsor must also have been absent from New Zealand for a period of at least two years prior to the date of the application being accepted for consideration, apart from short visits within that period. These applications will be allocated to a case officer within 10 working days.
Second priority – Partnership and Dependent Child applications (which do not meet the criteria above). These applications will be allocated to a case officer within six to nine months of being accepted for consideration.
Third priority – Parent, Adult Sibling and Adult Child applications (capped applications). These applications will be added to a managed queue and processed in order. Global parity of processing in this stream means that branches are given an annual decision allocation based on the age of work on hand so that applicants have a similar waiting time no matter where they apply. Branches are required to process family capped applications throughout the year to meet, but not exceed, the overall decision allocation. These applications will be allocated to a case officer within 24 months of being accepted for consideration.
The time taken to finalise a Family Category residence application varies greatly. If there are no health or character concerns, no custody issues and you have provided all of the required documentation, your application will normally be finalised within three to six months of being allocated to a case officer.
If you have an existing medical condition or there are questions arising from the Medical and Chest X-ray Certificate PDF [474KB] that you have submitted with your application for a visa, we are required to refer your documents to an independent medical assessor for their opinion on your health condition.
Certificates referred to a medical assessor can take four to six weeks to return to us. Following this you may be asked to provide additional information in the form of specialist reports clarifying the nature and prognosis of your condition.
Please be aware that no decision can be made on the outcome of your visa application until all questions regarding your medical status have been resolved.
