Skilled Migrant Category and Residence from Work processing
Processing information about Skilled Migrant Category and Residence from Work applications.
What we report
Immigration New Zealand has one queue for Skilled Migrant Category and Residence from Work applications. The applications in this queue are not split into two separate queues based on the application category.
The skilled residence queue includes applications made by people inside and outside New Zealand.
Selections of expressions of interest (EOIs) for the Skilled Migrant Category Resident Visa were suspended in April 2020 and resumed on 11 November 2022.
More information on EOIs can be found here:
Skilled Migrant Category reopening
How we process applications
Applications are generally allocated and processed in the order we receive them, from oldest to newest. Some applications are placed in a priority queue if they meet a certain criterion. Applications in the priority queue are allocated to officers first.
Skilled Migrant Category and Residence from Work applications with job offers will be prioritised if:
- applicants have an hourly rate equivalent to or higher than twice the median wage; or
- applicants hold current occupational registration where registration is required by immigration instructions.
Application data
As of 20 March 2023, the oldest unallocated application in the skilled residence general queue was received on 19 December 2022. The priority queue is in flow and applications are being allocated as soon as they are received.
Total number of unallocated skilled residence applications as of 20 March 2023
| Queue | Number of applications |
|---|---|
| General | 2313 |
| Priority | 0 |
Download more information about the number of unallocated skilled residence applications and monthly allocation data:
Skilled residence applications data PDF 172KB
Skilled residence queue data is subject to changes over time for reasons such as:
- applications moving between queues due to a change in an applicant’s circumstances
- applications withdrawn and decided under a different visa category
- applications are going through the Employment Visa Escalation (EVE) process
- staff workload capacity
- business and operational priorities.