We understand how important it is to you that we process your application as quickly as possible.
We will receipt all applications and lodge them into our computer system within 24 hours. If you have supplied us with your email address or mobile phone number, you will receive notification that we have received your application.
How soon can you expect your temporary visa/permit application to be finalised?
We realise that you have a lot of things to keep in mind when you are preparing to visit, study, work, or live in New Zealand.
In order to help you make your preparations, we have put together some approximate timeframes and guidelines around the Immigration New Zealand temporary entry permit/visa application process.
Medical and chest X-ray certificates
We have recently reviewed our guidelines concerning the medical status of people applying for visas and permits to visit, study, work or live in New Zealand.
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/permit, 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/permit application until all questions regarding your medical status have been resolved.
Temporary entry permits/visas
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.
- Student visas/permits* – up to 40 days
- If your application was submitted through a Student Online provider, INZ guarantees that your application will be processed within 48 hours
- Work visas/permits – 50 days
- Visitor visas/permits – 40 days
- Returning resident's visas (RRVs) – up to 10 days
- If your application is dependant on another person’s application your processing time will be the same as theirs.
If you pay a fee by personal cheque, we are unable to finalise your application until the cheque has cleared. This usually takes 10 working days.
* In order to meet New Zealand's obligations under the United Nations Conventions on the Right of the Child, we are prioritising for processing applications where the applicant is under 18 years old.