Same-day service

Same-day service will only be considered for the following application types, where evidence of urgent travel is provided.

• Permanent resident visa (by holders of a resident visa)
• Label transfers
• Variation of travel conditions.

For all other application types please:

• post your application to us,
• submit your application in person at our office reception, or
• place your application in the drop box in our office reception area. 

Note: If you use the ‘drop box’ there is no EFTPOS facility available – credit card details and bank cheques only.

Current processing times

We are actively working through a high volume of temporary applications.

Please be assured that we are doing everything we can to enable a timely decision to be made on your application.

To assist us during this time, it would be appreciated if you could restrict your contact with our branch unless your query is urgent.

If your application includes full and accurate documentation, and there are no complications arising (eg health referrals*, labour market checks), we aim to meet the following standards.

• Work visas – up to 35 days
• Visitor visas – up to 15 days
• Student visas – up to 35 days
• Resident visas and permanent resident visas (formerly RRV) – up to 10 days
• If your application is dependent on another person’s application your processing time will be the same as theirs.

What can I do to ensure my application is processed as quickly as possible?

One of the key reasons for delays with all applications is incomplete applications being submitted to us.

To help you make sure you have included everything you need to apply for a visa, please refer to the checklist on your application form. 

If the documents on the checklist are not provided, your application may be returned to you without being processed.

For essentials skills category (employer sponsored) applications, please refer to our work visa information section.

*Medical and chest X-ray certificates

If you have an existing medical condition or there are questions arising from the medical and/or chest X-ray certificate that you have submitted with your application for a visa, Immigration New Zealand is required to refer your documents to an independent medical assessor for their opinion on your health.

Certificates referred to an assessor can take a minimum of four 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.