GovWait Official government processing times, with source status

New Zealand visa wait-time baseline and changes

Immigration New Zealand publishes two points for each visa: when 50% and 80% of represented applications were processed. The distance between them shows how much wider the slower part of the current distribution is.

By GovWait Research Desk Published August 23, 2026 Data checked October 2, 2026 How we make these pages
24
reviewed visa types
50%
median completion point
80%
most-completed point
246
changes since prior observation

Largest gaps between 50% and 80% processed

A larger gap does not predict a particular application. It shows that the current 80% point sits substantially beyond the halfway point for that visa type. All values remain in INZ working days; this report does not convert them into guessed calendar dates.

Parent Retirement Resident Visa388-day gap
Parent Resident Visa120-day gap
Active Investor Plus Visa61-day gap
Straight to Residence Visa41-day gap
Skilled Migrant Category Resident Visa35-day gap
Work to Residence Visa34-day gap
Parent and Grandparent Visitor Visa32-day gap
Fee Paying Student Visa30-day gap
Pathway Student Visa30-day gap
Dependent Child Resident Visa27-day gap
Partner of a New Zealander Resident Visa25-day gap
Accredited Employer Work Visa21-day gap
Partner of a Student Work Visa20-day gap
Partner of a New Zealander Visitor Visa17-day gap
Partner of a Worker Work Visa17-day gap
Child of a New Zealander Visitor Visa16-day gap
Medical Treatment Visitor Visa16-day gap
Partner of a New Zealander Work Visa12-day gap
Specific Purpose Work Visa10-day gap
Visitor Visa7-day gap
Business Visitor Visa6-day gap
Permanent Resident Visa4-day gap
Transit Visa4-day gap
Recognised Seasonal Employer Limited Visa0-day gap

All reviewed visa baselines

Visa50% processed80% processed80% ÷ 50%
Parent Retirement Resident Visa427 working days815 working days1.9×
Parent Resident Visa204 working days324 working days1.6×
Active Investor Plus Visa45 working days106 working days2.4×
Straight to Residence Visa53 working days94 working days1.8×
Skilled Migrant Category Resident Visa71 working days106 working days1.5×
Work to Residence Visa52 working days86 working days1.7×
Parent and Grandparent Visitor Visa53 working days85 working days1.6×
Fee Paying Student Visa23 working days53 working days2.3×
Pathway Student Visa23 working days53 working days2.3×
Dependent Child Resident Visa162 working days189 working days1.2×
Partner of a New Zealander Resident Visa172 working days197 working days1.1×
Accredited Employer Work Visa16 working days37 working days2.3×
Partner of a Student Work Visa15 working days35 working days2.3×
Partner of a New Zealander Visitor Visa32 working days49 working days1.5×
Partner of a Worker Work Visa25 working days42 working days1.7×
Child of a New Zealander Visitor Visa8 working days24 working days3.0×
Medical Treatment Visitor Visa8 working days24 working days3.0×
Partner of a New Zealander Work Visa39 working days51 working days1.3×
Specific Purpose Work Visa11 working days21 working days1.9×
Visitor Visa7 working days14 working days2.0×
Business Visitor Visa3 working days9 working days3.0×
Permanent Resident Visa10 working days14 working days1.4×
Transit Visa3 working days7 working days2.3×
Recognised Seasonal Employer Limited Visa2 working days2 working days1.0×

Verified changes

Visa measurePreviousCurrent
Academic Visitor Visa — 50% processed9 working days8 working days
Academic Visitor Visa — 80% processed17 working days24 working days
Accredited Employer Work Visa — 50% processed15 working days16 working days
Accredited Employer Work Visa — 80% processed42 working days37 working days
Active Investor Plus Visa — 50% processed43 working days45 working days
Active Investor Plus Visa — 80% processed71 working days106 working days
Adoption Pre-citizenship Visitor Visa — 50% processed9 working days8 working days
Adoption Pre-citizenship Visitor Visa — 80% processed17 working days24 working days
Adoption Visitor Visa — 50% processed9 working days8 working days
Adoption Visitor Visa — 80% processed17 working days24 working days
Antarctic Traveller Visitor Visa — 50% processed9 working days8 working days
Antarctic Traveller Visitor Visa — 80% processed17 working days24 working days
Argentina Working Holiday Visa — 50% processed7 working days4 working days
Argentina Working Holiday Visa — 80% processed15 working days14 working days
Arts and Music Festival Visitor Visa — 50% processed9 working days8 working days
Arts and Music Festival Visitor Visa — 80% processed17 working days24 working days
Austria Working Holiday Visa — 50% processed7 working days4 working days
Austria Working Holiday Visa — 80% processed15 working days14 working days
Belgium Working Holiday Visa — 50% processed7 working days4 working days
Belgium Working Holiday Visa — 80% processed15 working days14 working days
Brazil Working Holiday Visa — 50% processed7 working days4 working days
Brazil Working Holiday Visa — 80% processed15 working days14 working days
Business Visitor Visa — 80% processed8 working days9 working days
Canada Working Holiday Visa — 50% processed7 working days4 working days
Canada Working Holiday Visa — 80% processed15 working days14 working days
Child of a New Zealander Visitor Visa — 50% processed9 working days8 working days
Child of a New Zealander Visitor Visa — 80% processed17 working days24 working days
Child of a Student Visitor Visa — 50% processed21 working days35 working days
Child of a Student Visitor Visa — 80% processed51 working days72 working days
Child of a Worker Visitor Visa — 50% processed21 working days35 working days
Child of a Worker Visitor Visa — 80% processed51 working days72 working days
Child of Military Visitor Visa — 50% processed21 working days35 working days
Child of Military Visitor Visa — 80% processed51 working days72 working days
Chile Working Holiday Visa — 50% processed7 working days4 working days
Chile Working Holiday Visa — 80% processed15 working days14 working days
China Skilled Workers Visa — 50% processed39 working days22 working days
China Skilled Workers Visa — 80% processed59 working days49 working days
China Special Work Visa — 50% processed39 working days22 working days
China Special Work Visa — 80% processed59 working days49 working days
China Working Holiday Visa — 50% processed7 working days4 working days
China Working Holiday Visa — 80% processed15 working days14 working days
Crew joining a Ship or Plane Visitor Visa — 50% processed9 working days8 working days
Crew joining a Ship or Plane Visitor Visa — 80% processed17 working days24 working days
Croatia Working Holiday Visa — 50% processed7 working days4 working days
Croatia Working Holiday Visa — 80% processed15 working days14 working days
Culturally Arranged Marriage Visitor Visa — 50% processed10 working days16 working days
Culturally Arranged Marriage Visitor Visa — 80% processed44 working days28 working days
Czech Working Holiday Visa — 50% processed7 working days4 working days
Czech Working Holiday Visa — 80% processed15 working days14 working days
Denmark Working Holiday Visa — 50% processed7 working days4 working days
Denmark Working Holiday Visa — 80% processed15 working days14 working days
Dependent Child Resident Visa — 50% processed143 working days162 working days
Dependent Child Resident Visa — 80% processed197 working days189 working days
Dependent Child Student Visa — 50% processed22 working days32 working days
Dependent Child Student Visa — 80% processed50 working days65 working days
Dismissed Worker Visitor Visa — 50% processed9 working days8 working days
Dismissed Worker Visitor Visa — 80% processed17 working days24 working days
Domestic Staff of a Diplomat Work Visa — 50% processed39 working days22 working days
Domestic Staff of a Diplomat Work Visa — 80% processed59 working days49 working days
English Language Student Visa — 80% processed57 working days53 working days
Entertainers Work Visa — 50% processed4 working days9 working days
Entertainers Work Visa — 80% processed8 working days11 working days
Entrepreneur Work Visa — 50% processed368 working days392 working days
Entrepreneur Work Visa — 80% processed508 working days428 working days
Escort of Medical Patients Visitor Visa — 50% processed9 working days8 working days
Escort of Medical Patients Visitor Visa — 80% processed17 working days24 working days
Estonia Working Holiday Visa — 50% processed7 working days4 working days
Estonia Working Holiday Visa — 80% processed15 working days14 working days
Exchange Student Visa — 80% processed14 working days9 working days
Fee Paying Student Visa — 80% processed57 working days53 working days
Finland Working Holiday Visa — 50% processed7 working days4 working days
Finland Working Holiday Visa — 80% processed15 working days14 working days
Fishing Crew Work Visa — 80% processed51 working days107 working days
Foreign Government Supported Student Visa — 50% processed22 working days21 working days
Foreign Government Supported Student Visa — 80% processed22 working days21 working days
France Working Holiday Visa — 50% processed7 working days4 working days
France Working Holiday Visa — 80% processed15 working days14 working days
German Law Student Visitor Visa — 50% processed9 working days8 working days
German Law Student Visitor Visa — 80% processed17 working days24 working days
Germany Working Holiday Visa — 50% processed7 working days4 working days
Germany Working Holiday Visa — 80% processed15 working days14 working days
Global Impact Permanent Residence Visa — 50% processed39 working days22 working days
Global Impact Permanent Residence Visa — 80% processed59 working days49 working days
Group Visitor Visa — 50% processed7 working days8 working days
Group Visitor Visa — 80% processed9 working days11 working days
Guardian Visitor Visa — 50% processed23 working days32 working days
Guardian Visitor Visa — 80% processed53 working days46 working days
Hong Kong SAR Working Holiday Visa — 50% processed7 working days4 working days
Hong Kong SAR Working Holiday Visa — 80% processed15 working days14 working days
Hungary Working Holiday Visa — 50% processed7 working days4 working days
Hungary Working Holiday Visa — 80% processed15 working days14 working days
Indonesia Special Work Visa — 50% processed39 working days22 working days
Indonesia Special Work Visa — 80% processed59 working days49 working days
Ireland Working Holiday Visa — 50% processed7 working days4 working days
Ireland Working Holiday Visa — 80% processed15 working days14 working days
Israel Working Holiday Visa — 50% processed7 working days4 working days
Israel Working Holiday Visa — 80% processed15 working days14 working days
Italy Working Holiday Visa — 50% processed7 working days4 working days
Italy Working Holiday Visa — 80% processed15 working days14 working days
Japan Working Holiday Visa — 50% processed7 working days4 working days
Japan Working Holiday Visa — 80% processed15 working days14 working days
Japanese Interpreters Work Visa — 50% processed39 working days22 working days
Japanese Interpreters Work Visa — 80% processed59 working days49 working days
Korea Working Holiday Visa — 50% processed7 working days4 working days
Korea Working Holiday Visa — 80% processed15 working days14 working days
Latvia Working Holiday Visa — 50% processed7 working days4 working days
Latvia Working Holiday Visa — 80% processed15 working days14 working days
Lithuania Working Holiday Visa — 50% processed7 working days4 working days
Lithuania Working Holiday Visa — 80% processed15 working days14 working days
Luxembourg Working Holiday Visa — 50% processed7 working days4 working days
Luxembourg Working Holiday Visa — 80% processed15 working days14 working days
Malaysia Working Holiday Visa — 50% processed7 working days4 working days
Malaysia Working Holiday Visa — 80% processed15 working days14 working days
Malta Working Holiday Visa — 50% processed7 working days4 working days
Malta Working Holiday Visa — 80% processed15 working days14 working days
Medical Treatment Visitor Visa — 50% processed9 working days8 working days
Medical Treatment Visitor Visa — 80% processed17 working days24 working days
Mexico Working Holiday Visa — 50% processed7 working days4 working days
Mexico Working Holiday Visa — 80% processed15 working days14 working days
Netherlands Working Holiday Visa — 50% processed7 working days4 working days
Netherlands Working Holiday Visa — 80% processed15 working days14 working days
Norway Working Holiday Visa — 50% processed7 working days4 working days
Norway Working Holiday Visa — 80% processed15 working days14 working days
NZ Government Scholarship Student Visa — 50% processed22 working days21 working days
NZ Government Scholarship Student Visa — 80% processed22 working days21 working days
Occupational Registration Visitor Visa — 50% processed9 working days8 working days
Occupational Registration Visitor Visa — 80% processed17 working days24 working days
Pacific Access Category Resident Visa — 50% processed484 working days471 working days
Pacific Access Category Resident Visa — 80% processed542 working days472 working days
Parent and Grandparent Visitor Visa — 50% processed51 working days53 working days
Parent and Grandparent Visitor Visa — 80% processed86 working days85 working days
Parent Resident Visa — 50% processed207 working days204 working days
Parent Resident Visa — 80% processed298 working days324 working days
Parent Retirement Resident Visa — 50% processed455 working days427 working days
Parent Retirement Resident Visa — 80% processed954 working days815 working days
Partner of a New Zealander Resident Visa — 50% processed175 working days172 working days
Partner of a New Zealander Resident Visa — 80% processed199 working days197 working days
Partner of a New Zealander Visitor Visa — 50% processed37 working days32 working days
Partner of a New Zealander Visitor Visa — 80% processed51 working days49 working days
Partner of a New Zealander Work Visa — 50% processed11 working days39 working days
Partner of a New Zealander Work Visa — 80% processed36 working days51 working days
Partner of a Student Visitor Visa — 50% processed14 working days38 working days
Partner of a Student Visitor Visa — 80% processed50 working days73 working days
Partner of a Student Work Visa — 50% processed17 working days15 working days
Partner of a Student Work Visa — 80% processed43 working days35 working days
Partner of a Worker Visitor Visa — 50% processed14 working days38 working days
Partner of a Worker Visitor Visa — 80% processed50 working days73 working days
Partner of a Worker Work Visa — 50% processed29 working days25 working days
Partner of a Worker Work Visa — 80% processed37 working days42 working days
Partner of an NZ Scholarship Student Work Visa — 50% processed17 working days15 working days
Partner of an NZ Scholarship Student Work Visa — 80% processed43 working days35 working days
Partner of Military Visitor Visa — 50% processed14 working days38 working days
Partner of Military Visitor Visa — 80% processed50 working days73 working days
Partner of Military Work Visa — 50% processed39 working days22 working days
Partner of Military Work Visa — 80% processed59 working days49 working days
Pathway Student Visa — 80% processed57 working days53 working days
Permanent Resident Visa — 50% processed9 working days10 working days
Peru Working Holiday Visa — 50% processed7 working days4 working days
Peru Working Holiday Visa — 80% processed15 working days14 working days
Philippines Special Work Visa — 50% processed39 working days22 working days
Philippines Special Work Visa — 80% processed59 working days49 working days
Philippines Working Holiday Visa — 50% processed7 working days4 working days
Philippines Working Holiday Visa — 80% processed15 working days14 working days
Pitcairn Islander Visitor Visa — 50% processed9 working days8 working days
Pitcairn Islander Visitor Visa — 80% processed17 working days24 working days
Poland Working Holiday Visa — 50% processed7 working days4 working days
Poland Working Holiday Visa — 80% processed15 working days14 working days
Portugal Working Holiday Visa — 50% processed7 working days4 working days
Portugal Working Holiday Visa — 80% processed15 working days14 working days
Primary Sector Trainees Work Visa — 50% processed39 working days22 working days
Primary Sector Trainees Work Visa — 80% processed59 working days49 working days
Private Yacht or Plane Visitor Visa — 50% processed9 working days8 working days
Private Yacht or Plane Visitor Visa — 80% processed17 working days24 working days
Recognised Seasonal Employer Limited Visa — 80% processed4 working days2 working days
Refugee Claimant Visitor Visa — 50% processed9 working days8 working days
Refugee Claimant Visitor Visa — 80% processed17 working days24 working days
Religious Worker Resident Visa — 50% processed91 working days122 working days
Religious Worker Resident Visa — 80% processed280 working days183 working days
Religious Worker Work Visa — 50% processed17 working days11 working days
Religious Worker Work Visa — 80% processed28 working days22 working days
Republic of Korea Special Work Visa — 50% processed39 working days22 working days
Republic of Korea Special Work Visa — 80% processed59 working days49 working days
Samoan Quota Resident Visa — 50% processed414 working days490 working days
Samoan Quota Resident Visa — 80% processed452 working days514 working days
Second or Subsequent Resident Visa — 80% processed58 working days29 working days
Short-term Entertainment Act Visitor Visa — 50% processed9 working days8 working days
Short-term Entertainment Act Visitor Visa — 80% processed17 working days24 working days
Singapore Work Exchange Programme Visa — 50% processed7 working days4 working days
Singapore Work Exchange Programme Visa — 80% processed15 working days14 working days
Skilled Migrant Category Resident Visa — 50% processed67 working days71 working days
Skilled Migrant Category Resident Visa — 80% processed105 working days106 working days
Slovakia Working Holiday Visa — 50% processed7 working days4 working days
Slovakia Working Holiday Visa — 80% processed15 working days14 working days
Slovenia Working Holiday Visa — 50% processed7 working days4 working days
Slovenia Working Holiday Visa — 80% processed15 working days14 working days
South Island Contribution Work Visa — 50% processed39 working days22 working days
South Island Contribution Work Visa — 80% processed59 working days49 working days
Spain Working Holiday Visa — 50% processed7 working days4 working days
Spain Working Holiday Visa — 80% processed15 working days14 working days
Specific Purpose Work Visa — 50% processed10 working days11 working days
Specific Purpose Work Visa — 80% processed17 working days21 working days
Sports Events Visitor Visa — 50% processed9 working days8 working days
Sports Events Visitor Visa — 80% processed17 working days24 working days
Straight to Residence Visa — 50% processed56 working days53 working days
Straight to Residence Visa — 80% processed95 working days94 working days
Student and Trainee Work Visa — 50% processed39 working days22 working days
Student and Trainee Work Visa — 80% processed59 working days49 working days
Super Yachts Visitor Visa — 50% processed9 working days8 working days
Super Yachts Visitor Visa — 80% processed17 working days24 working days
Sweden Working Holiday Visa — 50% processed7 working days4 working days
Sweden Working Holiday Visa — 80% processed15 working days14 working days
Taiwan Working Holiday Visa — 50% processed7 working days4 working days
Taiwan Working Holiday Visa — 80% processed15 working days14 working days
Temporary Retirement Visitor Visa — 50% processed9 working days8 working days
Temporary Retirement Visitor Visa — 80% processed17 working days24 working days
Thai Chefs Work Visa — 50% processed39 working days22 working days
Thai Chefs Work Visa — 80% processed59 working days49 working days
Thailand Working Holiday Visa — 50% processed7 working days4 working days
Thailand Working Holiday Visa — 80% processed15 working days14 working days
Tour Escort Visitor Visa — 50% processed3 working days4 working days
Tour Escort Visitor Visa — 80% processed8 working days9 working days
Transit Visa — 50% processed2 working days3 working days
Transit Visa — 80% processed4 working days7 working days
Turkey Working Holiday Visa — 50% processed7 working days4 working days
Turkey Working Holiday Visa — 80% processed15 working days14 working days
United Kingdom Working Holiday Visa — 50% processed7 working days4 working days
United Kingdom Working Holiday Visa — 80% processed15 working days14 working days
Uruguay Working Holiday Visa — 50% processed7 working days4 working days
Uruguay Working Holiday Visa — 80% processed15 working days14 working days
USA Working Holiday Visa — 50% processed7 working days4 working days
USA Working Holiday Visa — 80% processed15 working days14 working days
Victims of Family Violence Resident Visa — 80% processed162 working days182 working days
Victims of Family Violence Work Visa — 50% processed21 working days9 working days
Victims of Family Violence Work Visa — 80% processed51 working days17 working days
Vietnam Special Work Visa — 50% processed39 working days22 working days
Vietnam Special Work Visa — 80% processed59 working days49 working days
Vietnam Working Holiday Visa — 50% processed7 working days4 working days
Vietnam Working Holiday Visa — 80% processed15 working days14 working days
Visiting Media Visitor Visa — 50% processed9 working days8 working days
Visiting Media Visitor Visa — 80% processed17 working days24 working days
Visitor Visa — 80% processed11 working days14 working days
Vocational Trainee Student Visa — 50% processed22 working days21 working days
Vocational Trainee Student Visa — 80% processed22 working days21 working days
Work Exchange Scheme Work Visa — 80% processed17 working days16 working days
Work to Residence Visa — 50% processed56 working days52 working days
Work to Residence Visa — 80% processed80 working days86 working days

Method and limits

INZ defines the average as the point at which 50% of applications were processed and “most completed within” as the 80% point. Both use working days. Incomplete or complex applications can take longer, and the remaining 20% are outside the second figure.

Official source: Immigration New Zealand processing-time tool · values first observed October 2, 2026 · not immigration advice.