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 November 6, 2026 How we make these pages
24
reviewed visa types
50%
median completion point
80%
most-completed point
258
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 Visa408-day gap
Parent Resident Visa99-day gap
Active Investor Plus Visa48-day gap
Skilled Migrant Category Resident Visa48-day gap
Straight to Residence Visa43-day gap
Parent and Grandparent Visitor Visa37-day gap
Dependent Child Resident Visa29-day gap
Work to Residence Visa28-day gap
Partner of a New Zealander Resident Visa27-day gap
Partner of a New Zealander Visitor Visa26-day gap
Partner of a Student Work Visa22-day gap
Fee Paying Student Visa21-day gap
Pathway Student Visa21-day gap
Partner of a Worker Work Visa19-day gap
Accredited Employer Work Visa17-day gap
Partner of a New Zealander Work Visa15-day gap
Child of a New Zealander Visitor Visa13-day gap
Medical Treatment Visitor Visa13-day gap
Specific Purpose Work Visa8-day gap
Visitor Visa7-day gap
Permanent Resident Visa5-day gap
Business Visitor Visa4-day gap
Recognised Seasonal Employer Limited Visa1-day gap
Transit Visa1-day gap

All reviewed visa baselines

Visa50% processed80% processed80% ÷ 50%
Parent Retirement Resident Visa401 working days809 working days2.0×
Parent Resident Visa168 working days267 working days1.6×
Active Investor Plus Visa32 working days80 working days2.5×
Skilled Migrant Category Resident Visa86 working days134 working days1.6×
Straight to Residence Visa58 working days101 working days1.7×
Parent and Grandparent Visitor Visa51 working days88 working days1.7×
Dependent Child Resident Visa156 working days185 working days1.2×
Work to Residence Visa60 working days88 working days1.5×
Partner of a New Zealander Resident Visa170 working days197 working days1.2×
Partner of a New Zealander Visitor Visa23 working days49 working days2.1×
Partner of a Student Work Visa9 working days31 working days3.4×
Fee Paying Student Visa14 working days35 working days2.5×
Pathway Student Visa14 working days35 working days2.5×
Partner of a Worker Work Visa16 working days35 working days2.2×
Accredited Employer Work Visa15 working days32 working days2.1×
Partner of a New Zealander Work Visa23 working days38 working days1.7×
Child of a New Zealander Visitor Visa10 working days23 working days2.3×
Medical Treatment Visitor Visa10 working days23 working days2.3×
Specific Purpose Work Visa8 working days16 working days2.0×
Visitor Visa7 working days14 working days2.0×
Permanent Resident Visa9 working days14 working days1.6×
Business Visitor Visa3 working days7 working days2.3×
Recognised Seasonal Employer Limited Visa3 working days4 working days1.3×
Transit Visa2 working days3 working days1.5×

Verified changes

Visa measurePreviousCurrent
Academic Visitor Visa — 50% processed11 working days10 working days
Academic Visitor Visa — 80% processed30 working days23 working days
Accredited Employer Work Visa — 50% processed53 working days15 working days
Accredited Employer Work Visa — 80% processed35 working days32 working days
Active Investor Plus Visa — 50% processed45 working days32 working days
Active Investor Plus Visa — 80% processed106 working days80 working days
Adoption Pre-citizenship Visitor Visa — 50% processed11 working days10 working days
Adoption Pre-citizenship Visitor Visa — 80% processed30 working days23 working days
Adoption Visitor Visa — 50% processed11 working days10 working days
Adoption Visitor Visa — 80% processed30 working days23 working days
Antarctic Traveller Visitor Visa — 50% processed11 working days10 working days
Antarctic Traveller Visitor Visa — 80% processed30 working days23 working days
Argentina Working Holiday Visa — 50% processed7 working days8 working days
Argentina Working Holiday Visa — 80% processed15 working days16 working days
Arts and Music Festival Visitor Visa — 50% processed11 working days10 working days
Arts and Music Festival Visitor Visa — 80% processed30 working days23 working days
Austria Working Holiday Visa — 50% processed7 working days8 working days
Austria Working Holiday Visa — 80% processed15 working days16 working days
Belgium Working Holiday Visa — 50% processed7 working days8 working days
Belgium Working Holiday Visa — 80% processed15 working days16 working days
Brazil Working Holiday Visa — 50% processed7 working days8 working days
Brazil Working Holiday Visa — 80% processed15 working days16 working days
Business Visitor Visa — 80% processed9 working days7 working days
Canada Working Holiday Visa — 50% processed7 working days8 working days
Canada Working Holiday Visa — 80% processed15 working days16 working days
Child of a New Zealander Visitor Visa — 50% processed11 working days10 working days
Child of a New Zealander Visitor Visa — 80% processed30 working days23 working days
Child of a Student Visitor Visa — 50% processed35 working days25 working days
Child of a Student Visitor Visa — 80% processed50 working days51 working days
Child of a Worker Visitor Visa — 50% processed35 working days25 working days
Child of a Worker Visitor Visa — 80% processed50 working days51 working days
Child of Military Visitor Visa — 50% processed35 working days25 working days
Child of Military Visitor Visa — 80% processed50 working days51 working days
Chile Working Holiday Visa — 50% processed7 working days8 working days
Chile Working Holiday Visa — 80% processed15 working days16 working days
China Skilled Workers Visa — 50% processed17 working days21 working days
China Skilled Workers Visa — 80% processed45 working days39 working days
China Special Work Visa — 50% processed17 working days21 working days
China Special Work Visa — 80% processed45 working days39 working days
China Working Holiday Visa — 50% processed7 working days8 working days
China Working Holiday Visa — 80% processed15 working days16 working days
Crew joining a Ship or Plane Visitor Visa — 50% processed11 working days10 working days
Crew joining a Ship or Plane Visitor Visa — 80% processed30 working days23 working days
Croatia Working Holiday Visa — 50% processed7 working days8 working days
Croatia Working Holiday Visa — 80% processed15 working days16 working days
Culturally Arranged Marriage Visitor Visa — 50% processed10 working days11 working days
Culturally Arranged Marriage Visitor Visa — 80% processed31 working days18 working days
Czech Working Holiday Visa — 50% processed7 working days8 working days
Czech Working Holiday Visa — 80% processed15 working days16 working days
Denmark Working Holiday Visa — 50% processed7 working days8 working days
Denmark Working Holiday Visa — 80% processed15 working days16 working days
Dependent Child Resident Visa — 50% processed162 working days156 working days
Dependent Child Resident Visa — 80% processed182 working days185 working days
Dependent Child Student Visa — 50% processed35 working days23 working days
Dependent Child Student Visa — 80% processed65 working days51 working days
Dismissed Worker Visitor Visa — 50% processed11 working days10 working days
Dismissed Worker Visitor Visa — 80% processed30 working days23 working days
Domestic Staff of a Diplomat Work Visa — 50% processed17 working days21 working days
Domestic Staff of a Diplomat Work Visa — 80% processed45 working days39 working days
English Language Student Visa — 50% processed21 working days14 working days
English Language Student Visa — 80% processed49 working days35 working days
Entertainers Work Visa — 50% processed9 working days8 working days
Entertainers Work Visa — 80% processed9 working days11 working days
Entrepreneur Work Visa — 50% processed536 working days541 working days
Entrepreneur Work Visa — 80% processed536 working days546 working days
Escort of Medical Patients Visitor Visa — 50% processed11 working days10 working days
Escort of Medical Patients Visitor Visa — 80% processed30 working days23 working days
Estonia Working Holiday Visa — 50% processed7 working days8 working days
Estonia Working Holiday Visa — 80% processed15 working days16 working days
Exchange Student Visa — 50% processed3 working days2 working days
Exchange Student Visa — 80% processed8 working days7 working days
Fee Paying Student Visa — 50% processed21 working days14 working days
Fee Paying Student Visa — 80% processed49 working days35 working days
Finland Working Holiday Visa — 50% processed7 working days8 working days
Finland Working Holiday Visa — 80% processed15 working days16 working days
Fishing Crew Work Visa — 50% processed45 working days50 working days
Fishing Crew Work Visa — 80% processed45 working days51 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 days8 working days
France Working Holiday Visa — 80% processed15 working days16 working days
German Law Student Visitor Visa — 50% processed11 working days10 working days
German Law Student Visitor Visa — 80% processed30 working days23 working days
Germany Working Holiday Visa — 50% processed7 working days8 working days
Germany Working Holiday Visa — 80% processed15 working days16 working days
Global Impact Permanent Residence Visa — 50% processed17 working days21 working days
Global Impact Permanent Residence Visa — 80% processed45 working days39 working days
Group Visitor Visa — 50% processed9 working days8 working days
Group Visitor Visa — 80% processed11 working days15 working days
Guardian Visitor Visa — 50% processed32 working days14 working days
Guardian Visitor Visa — 80% processed38 working days30 working days
Hong Kong SAR Working Holiday Visa — 50% processed7 working days8 working days
Hong Kong SAR Working Holiday Visa — 80% processed15 working days16 working days
Hungary Working Holiday Visa — 50% processed7 working days8 working days
Hungary Working Holiday Visa — 80% processed15 working days16 working days
Indonesia Special Work Visa — 50% processed17 working days21 working days
Indonesia Special Work Visa — 80% processed45 working days39 working days
Ireland Working Holiday Visa — 50% processed7 working days8 working days
Ireland Working Holiday Visa — 80% processed15 working days16 working days
Israel Working Holiday Visa — 50% processed7 working days8 working days
Israel Working Holiday Visa — 80% processed15 working days16 working days
Italy Working Holiday Visa — 50% processed7 working days8 working days
Italy Working Holiday Visa — 80% processed15 working days16 working days
Japan Working Holiday Visa — 50% processed7 working days8 working days
Japan Working Holiday Visa — 80% processed15 working days16 working days
Japanese Interpreters Work Visa — 50% processed17 working days21 working days
Japanese Interpreters Work Visa — 80% processed45 working days39 working days
Korea Working Holiday Visa — 50% processed7 working days8 working days
Korea Working Holiday Visa — 80% processed15 working days16 working days
Latvia Working Holiday Visa — 50% processed7 working days8 working days
Latvia Working Holiday Visa — 80% processed15 working days16 working days
Lithuania Working Holiday Visa — 50% processed7 working days8 working days
Lithuania Working Holiday Visa — 80% processed15 working days16 working days
Long Term Skill Shortage List Work Visa — 50% processed25 working days16 working days
Long Term Skill Shortage List Work Visa — 80% processed25 working days16 working days
Luxembourg Working Holiday Visa — 50% processed7 working days8 working days
Luxembourg Working Holiday Visa — 80% processed15 working days16 working days
Malaysia Working Holiday Visa — 50% processed7 working days8 working days
Malaysia Working Holiday Visa — 80% processed15 working days16 working days
Malta Working Holiday Visa — 50% processed7 working days8 working days
Malta Working Holiday Visa — 80% processed15 working days16 working days
Medical Treatment Visitor Visa — 50% processed11 working days10 working days
Medical Treatment Visitor Visa — 80% processed30 working days23 working days
Mexico Working Holiday Visa — 50% processed7 working days8 working days
Mexico Working Holiday Visa — 80% processed15 working days16 working days
Netherlands Working Holiday Visa — 50% processed7 working days8 working days
Netherlands Working Holiday Visa — 80% processed15 working days16 working days
Norway Working Holiday Visa — 50% processed7 working days8 working days
Norway Working Holiday Visa — 80% processed15 working days16 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% processed11 working days10 working days
Occupational Registration Visitor Visa — 80% processed30 working days23 working days
Pacific Access Category Resident Visa — 50% processed997 working days592 working days
Pacific Access Category Resident Visa — 80% processed1075 working days651 working days
Parent and Grandparent Visitor Visa — 50% processed53 working days51 working days
Parent and Grandparent Visitor Visa — 80% processed85 working days88 working days
Parent Resident Visa — 50% processed176 working days168 working days
Parent Resident Visa — 80% processed290 working days267 working days
Parent Retirement Resident Visa — 50% processed392 working days401 working days
Parent Retirement Resident Visa — 80% processed683 working days809 working days
Partner of a New Zealander Resident Visa — 50% processed171 working days170 working days
Partner of a New Zealander Resident Visa — 80% processed193 working days197 working days
Partner of a New Zealander Visitor Visa — 50% processed28 working days23 working days
Partner of a New Zealander Visitor Visa — 80% processed50 working days49 working days
Partner of a New Zealander Work Visa — 50% processed32 working days23 working days
Partner of a New Zealander Work Visa — 80% processed44 working days38 working days
Partner of a Student Visitor Visa — 50% processed35 working days28 working days
Partner of a Student Visitor Visa — 80% processed49 working days50 working days
Partner of a Student Work Visa — 50% processed17 working days9 working days
Partner of a Student Work Visa — 80% processed39 working days31 working days
Partner of a Worker Visitor Visa — 50% processed35 working days28 working days
Partner of a Worker Visitor Visa — 80% processed49 working days50 working days
Partner of a Worker Work Visa — 50% processed18 working days16 working days
Partner of a Worker Work Visa — 80% processed36 working days35 working days
Partner of an NZ Scholarship Student Work Visa — 50% processed17 working days9 working days
Partner of an NZ Scholarship Student Work Visa — 80% processed39 working days31 working days
Partner of Military Visitor Visa — 50% processed35 working days28 working days
Partner of Military Visitor Visa — 80% processed49 working days50 working days
Partner of Military Work Visa — 50% processed17 working days21 working days
Partner of Military Work Visa — 80% processed45 working days39 working days
Pathway Student Visa — 50% processed21 working days14 working days
Pathway Student Visa — 80% processed49 working days35 working days
Permanent Resident Visa — 50% processed10 working days9 working days
Permanent Resident Visa — 80% processed309 working days14 working days
Peru Working Holiday Visa — 50% processed7 working days8 working days
Peru Working Holiday Visa — 80% processed15 working days16 working days
Philippines Special Work Visa — 50% processed17 working days21 working days
Philippines Special Work Visa — 80% processed45 working days39 working days
Philippines Working Holiday Visa — 50% processed7 working days8 working days
Philippines Working Holiday Visa — 80% processed15 working days16 working days
Pitcairn Islander Visitor Visa — 50% processed11 working days10 working days
Pitcairn Islander Visitor Visa — 80% processed30 working days23 working days
Poland Working Holiday Visa — 50% processed7 working days8 working days
Poland Working Holiday Visa — 80% processed15 working days16 working days
Portugal Working Holiday Visa — 50% processed7 working days8 working days
Portugal Working Holiday Visa — 80% processed15 working days16 working days
Primary Sector Trainees Work Visa — 50% processed17 working days21 working days
Primary Sector Trainees Work Visa — 80% processed45 working days39 working days
Private Yacht or Plane Visitor Visa — 50% processed11 working days10 working days
Private Yacht or Plane Visitor Visa — 80% processed30 working days23 working days
Recognised Seasonal Employer Limited Visa — 50% processed2 working days3 working days
Recognised Seasonal Employer Limited Visa — 80% processed2 working days4 working days
Refugee Claimant Visitor Visa — 50% processed11 working days10 working days
Refugee Claimant Visitor Visa — 80% processed30 working days23 working days
Religious Worker Resident Visa — 50% processed122 working days106 working days
Religious Worker Resident Visa — 80% processed154 working days155 working days
Religious Worker Work Visa — 50% processed11 working days10 working days
Religious Worker Work Visa — 80% processed17 working days29 working days
Republic of Korea Special Work Visa — 50% processed17 working days21 working days
Republic of Korea Special Work Visa — 80% processed45 working days39 working days
Samoan Quota Resident Visa — 50% processed512 working days686 working days
Samoan Quota Resident Visa — 80% processed595 working days1103 working days
Second or Subsequent Resident Visa — 50% processed16 working days15 working days
Second or Subsequent Resident Visa — 80% processed28 working days42 working days
Short-term Entertainment Act Visitor Visa — 50% processed11 working days10 working days
Short-term Entertainment Act Visitor Visa — 80% processed30 working days23 working days
Singapore Work Exchange Programme Visa — 50% processed7 working days8 working days
Singapore Work Exchange Programme Visa — 80% processed15 working days16 working days
Skilled Migrant Category Resident Visa — 50% processed67 working days86 working days
Skilled Migrant Category Resident Visa — 80% processed115 working days134 working days
Slovakia Working Holiday Visa — 50% processed7 working days8 working days
Slovakia Working Holiday Visa — 80% processed15 working days16 working days
Slovenia Working Holiday Visa — 50% processed7 working days8 working days
Slovenia Working Holiday Visa — 80% processed15 working days16 working days
South Island Contribution Work Visa — 50% processed17 working days21 working days
South Island Contribution Work Visa — 80% processed45 working days39 working days
Spain Working Holiday Visa — 50% processed7 working days8 working days
Spain Working Holiday Visa — 80% processed15 working days16 working days
Specific Purpose Work Visa — 50% processed10 working days8 working days
Specific Purpose Work Visa — 80% processed22 working days16 working days
Sports Events Visitor Visa — 50% processed11 working days10 working days
Sports Events Visitor Visa — 80% processed30 working days23 working days
Straight to Residence Visa — 50% processed52 working days58 working days
Straight to Residence Visa — 80% processed94 working days101 working days
Student and Trainee Work Visa — 50% processed17 working days21 working days
Student and Trainee Work Visa — 80% processed45 working days39 working days
Super Yachts Visitor Visa — 50% processed11 working days10 working days
Super Yachts Visitor Visa — 80% processed30 working days23 working days
Sweden Working Holiday Visa — 50% processed7 working days8 working days
Sweden Working Holiday Visa — 80% processed15 working days16 working days
Taiwan Working Holiday Visa — 50% processed7 working days8 working days
Taiwan Working Holiday Visa — 80% processed15 working days16 working days
Temporary Retirement Visitor Visa — 50% processed11 working days10 working days
Temporary Retirement Visitor Visa — 80% processed30 working days23 working days
Thai Chefs Work Visa — 50% processed17 working days21 working days
Thai Chefs Work Visa — 80% processed45 working days39 working days
Thailand Working Holiday Visa — 50% processed7 working days8 working days
Thailand Working Holiday Visa — 80% processed15 working days16 working days
Tour Escort Visitor Visa — 50% processed3 working days4 working days
Tour Escort Visitor Visa — 80% processed7 working days8 working days
Transit Visa — 50% processed3 working days2 working days
Transit Visa — 80% processed4 working days3 working days
Turkey Working Holiday Visa — 50% processed7 working days8 working days
Turkey Working Holiday Visa — 80% processed15 working days16 working days
United Kingdom Working Holiday Visa — 50% processed7 working days8 working days
United Kingdom Working Holiday Visa — 80% processed15 working days16 working days
Uruguay Working Holiday Visa — 50% processed7 working days8 working days
Uruguay Working Holiday Visa — 80% processed15 working days16 working days
USA Working Holiday Visa — 50% processed7 working days8 working days
USA Working Holiday Visa — 80% processed15 working days16 working days
Victims of Family Violence Resident Visa — 50% processed87 working days79 working days
Victims of Family Violence Resident Visa — 80% processed329 working days158 working days
Victims of Family Violence Work Visa — 50% processed14 working days15 working days
Victims of Family Violence Work Visa — 80% processed22 working days21 working days
Vietnam Special Work Visa — 50% processed17 working days21 working days
Vietnam Special Work Visa — 80% processed45 working days39 working days
Vietnam Working Holiday Visa — 50% processed7 working days8 working days
Vietnam Working Holiday Visa — 80% processed15 working days16 working days
Visiting Media Visitor Visa — 50% processed11 working days10 working days
Visiting Media Visitor Visa — 80% processed30 working days23 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 — 50% processed11 working days8 working days
Work Exchange Scheme Work Visa — 80% processed15 working days11 working days
Work to Residence Visa — 50% processed57 working days60 working days
Work to Residence Visa — 80% processed87 working days88 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 November 6, 2026 · not immigration advice.