What are the processing times for the different types of visa applications? The average processing times for various application types are given below. However, these times may differ across individual applications and can be brought forward or pushed further back depending on risks perceived in individual applications.
Processing times for work visa applications (other than applications based on partnership) are:
All applications are subject to verification checks and the average processing times are as given above. However, the processing time may differ across different applications depending on the level of verifications deemed necessary.
If the application does not include the required documents that are given in the New Delhi – student visa checklist DOC [184KB], it is likely that the application will be processed under the 'Other student visa applications' category above.
The processing time may differ across individual applications and can be brought forward or pushed back depending on risks perceived and verifications required in individual applications.
The time frame for applications lodged under these categories is three to five weeks for allocation and between one to six months for processing from the date the application is allocated to an officer.
Note: The processing time frame for visitor visa and work visa applications sponsored by a New Zealand resident/citizen under Partnership grounds is the same.
We will send an acknowledgement letter reconfirming the time frames for allocation and processing of the application once the same is lodged.
The partner’s application cannot be decided ahead of the student visa application on which it is dependent, the application will be held in a queue until the student visa application is decided and that the partner’s application will be allocated to an officer within five weeks from the date of finalisation of the main student visa application. The processing could take one to six months from the date the application is allocated to an officer depending upon the nature and quantum of verifications the application requires.
Note: The processing time frame for visitor visa and work visa applications under this category is the same.
Uncapped Family residence applications (Partner and Dependent Child) – four to six weeks for allocation to an immigration officer and a further nine to 12 months from date of allocation for processing.
Capped Family residence applications (Parent, Adult Child and Sibling) – Demand for non-priority residence places currently exceeds the number of places available. There is a current waiting time of 18 to 24 months for a place to become available. In practice, this means that an application will usually take 18 to 24 months to be allocated to a case officer after the time of lodgement.
New Zealand carefully plans the allocation of residence places. The Government's residence programme gives priority to skilled and business migrants and partners of returning New Zealanders.
Due to a marked increase in temporary entry applications received in New Delhi branch, we are forwarding Expressions of Interest (EOIs) to our Bangkok branch for processing. Please continue to submit your EOIs to the pool for processing.
EOIs are being immediately allocated to an immigration officer who completes the processing in about a month.
Skilled Migrant Category applications – 12 months for allocation and nine to 12 months from the date of allocation for processing.
