Temporary entry visas

INZ Manila endeavours to process all applications as fast as possible obviously. The speed of processing is largely dependent upon applicants preparing their visa applications completely, as per the prescribed and relevant checklists. Depending upon the time of year you apply, ie peak or off peak season, may also affect the speed of visa processing.

We aim to process visa applications within the following timeframes:

• Visitor visas – 10 working days.
• Student visas – 15 working days.
• Work visas – 15 working days.
• Returning resident visas and label transfers – 10 working days.

See our peak/off peak processing timeliness averages for each month of the year for Visitor, Work, and Student visas.

• Manila visitor processing times - 2012 PDF [108KB]
• Manila worker processing times - 2012 PDF [110KB]
• Manila student processing times - 2012 PDF [109KB]

If the processing of your visitor visa application will take longer than the above timeframes, we will advise you within 10 working days of the estimated new processing time.

Once we receive your application, you will receive an automated email notification within one to two days confirming that we have received your application for processing. The automated email will indicate your client number, application number and the processing time applicable for your application.

Please note:

• Visitor visa applicants, who possess good overseas travel history to countries like Australia, USA, Canada and the UK, are very likely to have their visas finalised within five to seven working days.
• For work visa applications, it is in your best interest to ensure that all work visa applications for ANZSCO level 4 and 5 roles are submitted with ample evidence of engagement by a New Zealand employer with local Work and Income offices confirming vacancies lodged, and support obtained for recruitment from offshore.
• Some applications can take longer than two months to process if, for example, your medical certificate requires referral to the medical assessor in New Zealand, or verification is required on the documents you have provided. Currently medical certificate referrals to the medical assessor in New Zealand take about six to eight weeks.
• It is also important travellers consider the Philippine exit requirements for nationals departing for New Zealand. Please see our webpage titled Philippine exit requirements.

It is important that you provide us with as much time to process your application as possible and we stress that you should not make irreversible travel plans before having your visa issued.  Any bookings made or paid for are the responsibility solely of the visa applicant and will not influence the speed nor assessment outcome of an application.