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 or postal address, you will be contacted by a visa officer within 14 days of receipt of your application.
Visitor/student/work visas/permits and returning resident's visas (RRVs)
Work to residence (Talent visa and long-term skill shortage) applications will be processed within five working days.
For Singapore, Malaysia, Brunei and Maldives nationals
Our standard processing time is 10 working days. It may take longer if:
- we need extra information, or documents require verification
- your application needs to be transferred to another INZ branch
- there is anything in a medical or X-ray certificate which needs to be followed up.
We strongly recommend that applicants who intend to stay in New Zealand for six months or longer submit their application at least two months before the intended date of travel.
For all other nationals
The processing time for all types of temporary visa applications is a minimum of 12 weeks.
Residence visas
Applications for residence visas will be processed according to the Government’s priority list. This means they will be processed according to the residence category applied under and not in date order.
- Three to six months for Family Category (Partnership and Dependent Child) applications.
- One to two years for Family Category (Parent and Adult Child) applications.
Where we cannot process applications within these timeframes, you will be contacted by phone or mail.