Checking your visa application status
After you submit your visa application you can find out its status and the timeframes for a decision.
How we make decisions
We check your application and supporting documents to make sure you have sent us everything we need to make a decision.
The time it takes to process your application depends on the visa you apply for, your circumstances and the information you supply with your application. If your application is not complete you may have to wait longer for a decision about your visa.
When you applied, you set up an online account with us. You can log in to find out if we need more information from you and other information about your application's progress.
Use the login link at the top of any page on this site and then select the type of visa you applied for.
You do not need to do anything else once you submit your application. We will contact you if we need more information from you.
Visitor visas, Accredited Employer Work Visa or or 2021 Resident Visa
This advice also covers family members included in a 2021 Resident Visa or Visitor Visa application. It does not cover Group Visitor Visas, visitor visa applications for people from Pacific Island countries, or family members of Accredited Employer Work Visa applicants. For information on checking the status of these applications, see other visas below.
You will receive an email notification when we need to request further information from you. You can also check your status by logging in using your RealMe® account. It will show one of the following statuses:
Submitted
We have received your application and it will start moving through our processing system.
Preparing Application
Your application has been entered into our system and we are confirming the details you have supplied.
We will confirm your identity and check the documents you have submitted. We may contact you to ask for other documents or information. The status in your online account will be updated to tell you what we need.
The status will still show until we have received the documents, checked them and entered them into the system. This can take some time, so do not worry if your status does not update after you submit your documents.
Waiting on you to provide travel documentation
This usually means we need you to supply travel documentation to support your application.
We have a temporary measure in place where we are only requesting temporary visa applicants provide high-quality scans of their passport, and not to send their physical passport. You will have received a letter advising you of this. That status will still read ‘Waiting on you to provide travel documentation’, even if no physical passport was requested.
Waiting on your Supporting Partner
This means we need your supporting partner to supply their completed Supporting Partner form.
Waiting on your sponsor
This means we need your sponsor to supply their completed sponsorship form.
Why some applications processed faster than others
Gathering Information
Your application details and documentation are almost ready for assessment. We will share your application with other agencies and our health team to confirm your details, where required. This is when we may need any medical information, so we may contact you to ask for a medical examination.
Waiting on you to provide medicals
This means we need you to complete a medical examination.
This status will still show until we have received the information, checked it and confirmed it has been entered into the system. This can take some time, so do not worry if your status does not update after you submit your documents.
Why some applications processed faster than others
Under Assessment
Your application and all your documents are ready to be assessed, so we can make a decision whether to provide a visa or not.
Your application will be assessed, but this might not occur immediately. The time it takes to assess applications depends on how many other applications we have received and are assessing.
During this stage, we may contact you if we need any further information.
Further Information Required
This means we need more information from you before we can make a decision on your application. There will be a letter in your dashboard explaining what we need.
This status will still show until we receive a response and we confirm that no further information is needed. This can take some time, so do not worry if your status does not update after you submit your documents.
Why some applications processed faster than others
Withdrawal requested
You have asked to withdraw your application. Your request is waiting for review before it can be completed.
Withdrawn
Your application has been withdrawn. You will receive confirmation of this through your Immigration Online account.
Approved
Your application has been approved. You will receive your eVisa and information related to your new visa will be added to your Immigration Online account.
Declined
Your application has been declined. Your Immigration Online account will have details on why your application has been declined.
Student visas, other work visas, group visitor visas and visitor visas for people from the Pacific Islands
Log in using your RealMe® account. If your application's status is 'Submitted' it is ready to be processed. If we need more information, we email you to let you know that we have attached a letter to your online account.
We aim to process applications as soon as possible. At very busy times it may take longer for us to make a decision about your application.
NZeTA (New Zealand Electronic Travel Authority)
Some visitors and transit passengers need an NZeTA (New Zealand Electronic Travel Authority) before they travel to New Zealand. If you have requested an NZeTA you can check its status.
Working holidays
After you have logged in to your account, select 'My application' from the right-hand side of the page. Once you've selected this, the status of your application displays.
If your application shows:
- Pending — this means we have received it and it is ready to be processed
- Approved — this means that your application was successful.
Expressions of interest for the Skilled Migrant Category
After you have logged in to your account, select 'My application' from the right-hand side of the page. Once you've selected this, the status of your application displays.
If you applied using a paper form
Check first to see how long it normally takes to process the type of visa you applied for.
Fees, decisions times & where to apply
If your application is taking longer to process than is usual for that type of visa, you can contact us.
If an immigration adviser submitted your application
Get in touch with your immigration adviser to find out the status of your application. We will let them know if we need any more information to support your application.
If you applied at a Visa Application Centre
If the Visa Application Centre (VAC) is outside New Zealand they will be unable to provide an update on your application status.
Getting more information
We contact you if we need more information to support your application. We phone, email or notify you on your online account.
If your application is taking longer to process than the normal time frame for that type of visa, you can contact us.