Immigration New Zealand has released updated processing times for certain categories of applications submitted in October 2024. By adopting a new triage and grouping methodology, INZ is now able to provide more accurate estimations of their application processing times, depending on a number of factors. Grouping applications by type, sector, or skill level, Immigration New Zealand increases their ability to process those most important applications in a timely manner.
What impacts processing time?
Incomplete applications naturally slow down processing times as they require a case officer to examine the file, request the missing information, and grant additional time to provide this documentation. Incorrect applications are also a delaying factor, ie inappropriate ANZSCO code, insufficient or unreasonable experience/qualification requirements, non-compliant advertising evidence, are all causes for delays.
Working with Immigration Advisers will ensure your application is right the first time and increase the likelihood of a prompt decision on your application, not only for visa applications, but also for employer accreditations and job check applications.
Higher skill level roles, higher income, and Green list roles, are amongst the applications processed the fastest. Health, Education and ICT sectors are also favoured.
Estimated processing times for AEWV, accreditation, and job check applications
| Visa type | Average wait time | 80% of applications |
|---|---|---|
| Employer accreditations for AEWV
Accreditation renewals |
5 weeks
5 weeks |
11 weeks
11 weeks |
| Job checks (All roles)
Job checks (Green list roles) Job checks (ANZSCO skill level 1 roles) Job checks (ANZSCO skill level 2 roles) Job checks (ANZSCO skill level 3 roles) Job checks (ANZSCO skill level 4 roles) Job checks (ANZSCO skill level 5 roles) Job checks (Hospitality sector roles) Job checks (Construction sector roles) Job checks (Primary Industry sector roles) Job checks (Tourism sector roles) Job checks (Retail sector roles) Job checks (Health sector roles all) Job checks (Health sector roles Green List) Job checks (Education sector roles) Job checks (ICT sector roles) Job checks (Transportation and logistics sector roles) Job checks (Other sector roles) |
7 weeks
3 weeks 4 weeks 8 weeks 7 weeks 8 weeks 9 weeks 8 weeks 6 weeks 5 weeks 7 weeks 9 weeks 4 weeks 4 days 1 week 6 weeks 7 weeks 7 weeks |
14 weeks
7 weeks 11 weeks 15 weeks 13 weeks 15 weeks 15 weeks 15 weeks 13 weeks 12 weeks 12 weeks 16 weeks 10 weeks 1 week 2 weeks 12 weeks 14 weeks 13 weeks |
| AEWV (All roles)
AEWV (Green list roles) AEWV (ANZSCO skill level 1 roles) AEWV (ANZSCO skill level 2 roles) AEWV (ANZSCO skill level 3 roles) AEWV (ANZSCO skill level 4 roles) AEWV (ANZSCO skill level 5 roles) AEWV (Hospitality sector roles) AEWV (Construction sector roles) AEWV (Primary Industry sector roles) AEWV (Tourism sector roles) AEWV (Retail sector roles) AEWV (Health sector roles all) AEWV (Health sector roles Green List) AEWV (Education sector roles) AEWV (ICT sector roles) AEWV (Transportation and logistics sector roles) AEWV (Other sector roles) |
7 weeks
4 weeks 3 weeks 9 weeks 8 weeks 14 weeks 11 weeks 7 weeks 9 weeks 7 weeks 7 weeks 10 weeks 5 weeks 2 weeks 3 weeks 4 weeks 10 weeks 5 weeks |
15 weeks
6 weeks 7 weeks 14 weeks 16 weeks 19 weeks 19 weeks 16 weeks 14 weeks 10 weeks 14 weeks 18 weeks 10 weeks 4 weeks 6 weeks 8 weeks 20 weeks 11 weeks |
