How quickly can you expect us to make a decision on your application?
We will receipt all applications and lodge them into our computer system within 24 hours.
To assist with the processing of your application, please provide a set of photocopies of any documents you want returned. This does not include application forms, police certificates, or medical certificates.
If you supply us with all the documents that we ask for, you can expect us to meet the following timeliness standards. The times below refer to working days.
Residence
Skilled Migrant Category
The majority of EOIs will be completed within 12 weeks of being selected from the Pool.
You can apply for residence under SMC ONLY if you are 'Invited to Apply'.
- 95% of all applications for residence under the Skilled Migrant Category will be completed within six to nine months from when we accept your application for processing.
Family Reunification Categories
Family, Partnership and Family, Dependent Child Categories
- 50% of all applications for residence will be completed within nine to 12 months from when we accept your application for processing.
- 99% of all applications for residence will be completed within 12 months from when we accept your application for processing.
Family Parent, Family Adult, Child Adult, Sibling Categories
- 80% of all applications for residence will be completed within nine months from when a case officer is allocated.
- 99% of all applications for residence will be completed within 12 months from when a case officer is allocated.
Returning resident's visa
We will decide 99% within 10 days.
Temporary entry
Receipt and acknowledgement of your temporary entry application:
- To ensure that you remain lawfully in New Zealand at all times it is recommended that you submit your application for a new temporary permit at least 4 to 6 weeks before your temporary permit is due to expire.
- We do not provide application envelopes or photocopy your documents.
- All applications that are put in the branch drop box will be noted as having been “tendered” on that date in our Application Management System (AMS).
- An application is not considered to have been “accepted” however, until the mandatory lodgement requirements for that type of application have been met.
- As a minimum requirement, the Wellington Branch will only “accept” applications that have met the following criteria:
(a) The correct application form has been completed.
The forms for the most common applications tendered at the Wellington Branch are as follows:
- Visitor Visa/Permit Application (INZ 1017 March 2008)
- Student Visa/Permit Application (INZ 1012 November 2007)
- Work Visa/Permit Application (INZ 1015 July 2008)
- Application for Variation of Conditions (NZIS 1020 April 2005)
- Application for Returning Resident’s Visa (NZIS 1004 December 2006)
- Application for Confirmation of Visa or Permit (NZIS 1023 April 2005)
- Application for a New Zealand Working Holiday (NZIS 1085 December 2006)
N.B:
There is no form required when applying to transfer a permit or visa stamp or label from one passport or certificate of identity to another.
(b) The correct fee has been paid by cash, credit card, or cheque (both personal and bank cheques are accepted). Please note that EFTPOS, money orders, and travellers cheques are not accepted for drop box applications.
Information on fees can be obtained from the Fees Guide (INZ 1028 March 2008).
(c) The required number of photographs, as stipulated on the appropriate application form.
Any application that does not meet the minimum acceptance criteria outlined above will be returned to you with the reason “Returned Failed Lodgements”.
Please note that if your temporary permit has expired, you will be considered to be in New Zealand unlawfully, and any further application you submit will need to be considered as a request under Section 35A of the Immigration Act 1987. This means we first must assess whether your application will be considered, (this will be based on your individual circumstances).
Where a request under Section 35A is approved, we will then request the appropriate approval fee.
Where a request under Section 35A is not approved then no fee will be charged and you will be notified of our decision to refuse to consider or refuse to grant your Section 35A request.
Please provide any email or mobile telephone number. Immigration New Zealand uses a proactive comms to acknowledge applications. Once an application is received and entered into the AMS system, you will receive an email or text to advise you that we have received your application.
Processing of your temporary entry application:
- Please note that due to the number of temporary entry applications received, the Wellington Branch operates a managed queue for temporary entry applications.
- Your application will be assigned to an immigration officer for processing within 4 weeks, from the date on which it is “accepted”.
- To assist with the processing of your application, you should read the checklists that are provided at the back of all of the temporary entry application forms thoroughly. This will ensure that any additional information required to assess your application is also included.
The relevant additional forms for the most common applications tendered at the Wellington Branch are as follows:
- Health Requirements (INZ 1121 March 2008)
- Temporary Entry X-Ray Certificate (NZIS 1096 March 2005)
- Medical & Chest X-Ray Certificate (NZIS 1007 August 2005)
- Employer Supplementary Form – Work Permit/Visa Application (NZIS 1113 July 2005)
- If for any reason you are unable to provide any additional information required at the time of tendering your application in the drop box, or you have any particular individual circumstances that you would like an immigration officer to consider in assessing your application, you should clearly state what these are in a covering letter.
- If you have any further information to add to your temporary entry application before our decision is made, you can place this information in the drop box at the branch. Please ensure you include your client number, application number, or passport details.
- If at any point during the application process you require your passport or any original documentation to be returned to you by secure post, please contact the Immigration Contact Centre on 0508 558855 and your request will be forwarded to the Wellington Branch.
We will endeavour to process your application in a timely manner. All applications will be prioritised according to the timeliness standards below.
Timeliness standards for applications from the managed queue
Once your application is allocated to an immigration officer from the managed queue for temporary entry applications, we are committed to meeting the following timeliness standards.
Visitor's permits
We will decide:
- 93% within 10 days
- 95% within 30 days
- 99% within 60 days
Student permits
We will decide:
- 91% within 10 days
- 98% within 30 days
- 99% within 60 days
Work permits
We will decide:
- 91% within 10 days
- 98% within 30 days
- 99% within 90 days
Timeliness standards for other applications submitted via the drop box
We committed to deciding 99 percent of the following applications within 10 working days.
- Variation of conditions
- Working holiday schemes
- Returning resident’s visa
- Confirmation of visa or permit
- Transfer of a permit or visa stamp or label from one passport or certificate of identity to another
- Work Permits for occupations that are (Essential Skills Levels 1 &2; Long Term Skills Shortages List (LTSSL) OR Immediate Skills Shortages List (ISSL).
Timeliness standards for applications tendered in person at our booths:
The following applications are currently being processed at our booths on a same day/next day service subject to all requirements being submitted:
- Variation of Conditions
- Working Holiday Schemes
- Returning Resident’s Visa
- Confirmation of Visa or Permit
- Transfer of a permit or visa stamp or label from one passport or certificate of identity to another
- Work Permits for occupations that are Essential Skills Levels 1 & 2: Long Term Skills Shortage List (LTSSL) or Immediate Skill Shortage List (ISSL), subject to the satisfactory receipt of all relevant documentation and, where applicable, clear and valid Medical & Chest X-Ray Certificates and Police Certificates.
- Visitor’s Permits
- All temporary visa applications where the applicant holds a valid permit.
We welcome the opportunity to review our practices and procedures wherever possible, and value your feedback. If you have, any comments you would like to make regarding the processing of your temporary entry application by our branch, please direct these to:
Immigration Manager
Temporary Entry Team
Wellington Branch