Escalation for urgent applications
Find out who can ask that their application be urgently assessed and how to make that request.
How we allocate applications
When we allocate an application, it means we assign it to an immigration officer to start assessing it. Applications are usually allocated by the date we receive them.
How long it takes to process an application
In some cases you can ask us to allocate your application to an immigration officer faster - this is called an 'escalation request'.
If you meet the all the criteria:
- you send an email to request an escalation
- we assess your application
- we let you know if your request is accepted or not.
Note
Your escalation request must have a compelling or very important reason for your application to be allocated urgently.
This includes:
- compelling personal and business circumstances
- humanitarian factors, and
- matters of national interest.
Prioritisation for Green List roles
Job check and Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV) applications are prioritised if the application is for a Green List role. You do not need to request an escalation.
Who can request an escalation
Student visas
We will consider the following when evaluating escalation requests for student visas:
- the time of application – did the student apply in good time (at least 6 weeks before the intended travel date)
- the intake or start date of the programme of study
- any matters of national interest, significant personal or business circumstances or humanitarian factors.
Escalation relates to the allocation of your application only. If you have applied for a student visa at one of the universities or Te Pūkenga providers, please contact your education provider before proceeding with escalation.
Skilled Migrant Category Resident Visa, Straight to Residence Visa, and Work to Residence Visa
We will escalate your application if you meet any of the following criteria:
- you have an occupation on the Tier 1 Green List
- you are paid 3 times the median wage, or
- you are a Skilled Migrant Category Resident Visa applicant with 6 points without work experience.
Read the Amendment Circular for more details.
Wage rate requirements for visas
Supporting visa applications for your partner or dependent children
If you are supporting a partner or dependent child's visa application, you can only request an escalation for their visa after your visa application has been approved.
You must still meet all the criteria for an escalation request.
Permanent Resident Visa
You can make an escalation request if you meet one of the following criteria:
- you are an Australian citizen and have a confirmed ticket to leave New Zealand within 10 days of making your initial visa application
- you have a short-term temporary visa that is about to expire
- you need your residence status reinstated so you can return to work
- your passport or travel document will expire within the next month
- you have a confirmed return ticket to New Zealand within 10 days of making your initial visa application (for Permanent Resident Visa or Second or Subsequent Resident Visa), or
- you have a confirmed ticket to leave New Zealand within the 10 days of making your initial visa application (for Variation of Travel Conditions).
Note
You must provide evidence to support your escalation request. This can include but is not limited to:
- copy of passport
- travel ticket, or
- a letter from your employer.
Visitor Visa
Requesting an escalation for visitor visas depends on if you are from the Pacific or outside the Pacific.
Applications from outside the Pacific
If you are from outside the Pacific and need to request urgent an escalation for a visitor visa, call the Immigration Call Centre:
You must still meet all other criteria for an escalation request
Applications from the Pacific
If you are from the Pacific and need to request an escalation for a visitor visa, contact our Pacific visa escalations email address:
pacificvisaescalations@mbie.govt.nz
You must still meet all other criteria for an escalation request.
The countries and territories in the Pacific are:
- American Samoa
- Cook Islands
- Federated States of Micronesia
- Fiji
- French Polynesia
- Kiribati
- Marshall Islands
- Nauru
- New Caledonia
- Niue
- Papua New Guinea
- Samoa
- Solomon Islands
- Tonga
- Tuvalu
- Vanuatu.
Confirmation of visa or transfer of visa
You can request an escalation for confirmation of visa or a transfer of visa if you meet our conditions. Contact us to find out if you meet the requirements.
Visa escalation process
If you meet the all the criteria, you can send an email to make an escalation request. Your request goes to our visa escalation team to assess. The team will let you know if your request is accepted or not.
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Step 1: Check if you can submit an escalation request
Note
We do not consider travel bookings alone to be a reason for urgent allocation.
We usually cannot accept escalation requests for applications submitted less than 5 days ago.
If we have already assigned your application to an immigration officer, we cannot escalate it because it is already being assessed.
Criteria for an escalation request
Your escalation request must have a compelling or very important reason for your application to be allocated urgently. This includes:
- compelling personal and business circumstances
- humanitarian factors, and
- matters of national interest.
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Step 2: Make your escalation request
If you meet the criteria for an escalation request, you can send your request to our escalations team.
Who can make a request
To make an escalation request for your application, you must be:
- the main applicant on the application form, or
- the legal representative or licensed immigration adviser for the main applicant.
How to make a request
Send your request to:
You need to include:
- applicant's first name and last name
- application number
- applicant's passport number
- applicant's date of birth
- applicant's INZ client number — if you know it
- why you need the application urgently allocated — explain why there are compelling or very important personal circumstances, humanitarian factors, or matters of national interest
- documents of evidence supporting your request.
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Step 3: We assess your escalation request
When we assess escalation requests, we check that there are:
- compelling or very important personal circumstances
- humanitarian factors, or
- matters of national interest.
We look at:
- the information in the request including any supporting documents, and
- the circumstances of the application.
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Step 4: We let you know if your request is accepted or declined
The visa escalation team will email you to let you know if your request is accepted or not. This normally takes 2 to 5 working days.
If we accept your request, we will let you know in the email when we are likely to start assessing your application.
You can check your visa application status at any time.
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Step 5: We escalate your application
If we accept your request, we allocate your application as a priority to an immigration officer.
Note
If we accept your escalation request, it does not mean we will also approve your application. It also does not mean the time we need to assess your application will be shorter.
We assess all applications using our normal processes, criteria and times.