Find out the current processing times for New Zealand visas as of September 2025: NZeTA, visitor, work, student and resident visas. Read tips on how to speed up processing and avoid delays

Immigration New Zealand has released its latest processing times as of 11 September 2025. From quick approvals for NZeTAs to months-long waits for resident visas, here’s an updated overview for travellers, students and future migrants.

This information will help you plan your trip or move better and avoid unpleasant delays.

How is the waiting time calculated?

Immigration New Zealand uses two metrics:

- Average processing time – how many days it took to process 50% of applications.

- Most applications processed within – the time it took to process 80% of applications.

Important: only business days are counted, excluding weekends and holidays.

New Zealand Visitor Visas and NZeTA

For short trips, tourism or visiting friends and family, you will need an NZeTA or visitor visa.

- NZeTA: Average time 24 hours, most approvals within 24 hours.

- Visitor visa: Average time 1 week, most approvals 2 weeks.

- Partner of a New Zealander visitor visa: Average time 3.5 weeks, most approvals 8 weeks.

- Business visitor visa: Average time 3 days, most approvals 1 week.

New Zealand work visas

Work visa categories have different processing times.

- AEWV (Accredited Employer Work Visa): Average time 2 weeks, most approvals 5 weeks.

- Partner of an Employee Work Visa: Average time 3 weeks, most approvals 5 weeks.

- Post-study work visa: Average time 3 weeks, most approvals 4 weeks.

- Working holiday visa: Average time 2 days, most approvals 2 weeks.

Employer Accreditation and Verification

Before hiring a foreign worker, an employer must be accredited.

- Employer Accreditation for AEWV: Average time – 2 days, most – 2 weeks.

- Renewal of Accreditation: Average time – 3 days, most – 2.5 weeks.

- Work Verifications (all roles): Average time – 3 days, most – 2 weeks.

- Work Verifications (Green List roles): Average time – 2 days, most – 1 week.

New Zealand Student Visas

From August 2025, all applications will be submitted through a new online system.

- Te Pūkenga: Average time – 2.5 weeks, most – 5.5 weeks.

- Private Education Institutions: Average time – 3 weeks, most – 6 weeks.

- Schools: Average time – 2 weeks, most – 3.5 weeks.

- Universities: Average time – 2.5 weeks, majority – 4.5 weeks.

New Zealand Resident Visas

This type of application takes the longest to process.

- Parent Resident Visa: Average time – 13 months, majority – 18 months.

- Skilled Migrants: Average time – 9 weeks, majority – 3 months.

- Work and Residence: Average time – 8 weeks, majority – 10.5 weeks.

- Right of Residence: Average time – 9 weeks, majority – 3.5 months.

- Permanent Resident: Average time – 4 days, majority – 2 weeks.

- Resident Visa Partner: Average time – 5 months, majority – 8 months.

How to speed up the process?

To avoid delays, the Immigration Service advises:

- Apply early, especially during peak seasons;

- Prepare a complete package of documents;

- Use the online application system;

- Check the correctness of the selected visa category before applying.

Short-term visas (NZeTA, Working Holiday) are usually approved very quickly. However, residency programs require months or even a year of waiting. Therefore, planning and preparation in advance is the best strategy for those who want to travel, study or build a future in New Zealand.

Need help with visa processing?

The process of obtaining a visa to New Zealand can be complicated: different categories, document requirements, long waiting periods. To avoid mistakes and delays, it is worth contacting professional migration lawyers. Our specialists will help you:

- Choose the right type of visa depending on your plans;

- Prepare a complete package of documents without unnecessary risks;

- Support your application at all stages;

- Provide advice on employment, study or moving to New Zealand.

By contacting lawyers, you will save time, reduce stress and increase your chances of successfully obtaining a visa.

Reminder! New Zealand is closing the entrepreneur visa and launching a business investor visa from November 2025. We have already told you what the investment requirements are, how the new program differs from the old one, what will happen to existing visas and what other ways exist for investors.

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