GovWait Official government processing times, with source status

NZ processing-time changes: September 25, 2026

GovWait compared 244 INZ records from August 23, 2026 through September 1, 2026 with the official values dated September 25, 2026. Of 244 routes with a published value at both checks, 244 changed and 0 stayed at the same published value.

244
published values changed
160
became longer
84
became shorter
0
same published value
Permanent change issue

This URL preserves the comparison dated September 25, 2026. Later refreshes create new issues instead of rewriting this one. Subscribe to the GovWait reports RSS feed for newly detected changes.

Largest increases

“Longer” means the agency’s newer published value increased; it does not mean every individual application slowed by that amount.

RouteAugust 23, 2026 through September 1, 2026September 25, 2026Change
Partner of a New Zealander Work Visa 11 working days39 working daysLonger 254.5%
Partner of a Student Visitor Visa 14 working days38 working daysLonger 171.4%
Partner of a Worker Visitor Visa 14 working days38 working daysLonger 171.4%
Partner of Military Visitor Visa 14 working days38 working daysLonger 171.4%
Entertainers Work Visa 4 working days9 working daysLonger 125%
Fishing Crew Work Visa 51 working days107 working daysLonger 109.8%
Argentina Working Holiday Visa 4 working days7 working daysLonger 75%
Austria Working Holiday Visa 4 working days7 working daysLonger 75%
Belgium Working Holiday Visa 4 working days7 working daysLonger 75%
Brazil Working Holiday Visa 4 working days7 working daysLonger 75%
Business Visitor Visa 4 working days7 working daysLonger 75%
Canada Working Holiday Visa 4 working days7 working daysLonger 75%
Chile Working Holiday Visa 4 working days7 working daysLonger 75%
China Working Holiday Visa 4 working days7 working daysLonger 75%
Croatia Working Holiday Visa 4 working days7 working daysLonger 75%

Largest decreases

“Shorter” means the newer official value fell. It remains a planning statistic, not a deadline or a promise for a particular case.

RouteAugust 23, 2026 through September 1, 2026September 25, 2026Change
Victims of Family Violence Work Visa 51 working days17 working daysShorter 66.7%
Victims of Family Violence Work Visa 21 working days9 working daysShorter 57.1%
Second or Subsequent Resident Visa 58 working days29 working daysShorter 50%
Recognised Seasonal Employer Limited Visa 4 working days2 working daysShorter 50%
China Skilled Workers Visa 39 working days22 working daysShorter 43.6%
China Special Work Visa 39 working days22 working daysShorter 43.6%
Domestic Staff of a Diplomat Work Visa 39 working days22 working daysShorter 43.6%
Global Impact Permanent Residence Visa 39 working days22 working daysShorter 43.6%
Indonesia Special Work Visa 39 working days22 working daysShorter 43.6%
Japanese Interpreters Work Visa 39 working days22 working daysShorter 43.6%
Partner of Military Work Visa 39 working days22 working daysShorter 43.6%
Philippines Special Work Visa 39 working days22 working daysShorter 43.6%
Primary Sector Trainees Work Visa 39 working days22 working daysShorter 43.6%
Republic of Korea Special Work Visa 39 working days22 working daysShorter 43.6%
South Island Contribution Work Visa 39 working days22 working daysShorter 43.6%

Where changes were concentrated

ServiceChanged routesLongerShorter
Academic Visitor Visa211
Accredited Employer Work Visa202
Active Investor Plus Visa220
Adoption Pre-citizenship Visitor Visa211
Adoption Visitor Visa211
Antarctic Traveller Visitor Visa211
Argentina Working Holiday Visa220
Arts and Music Festival Visitor Visa211
Austria Working Holiday Visa220
Belgium Working Holiday Visa220
Brazil Working Holiday Visa220
Canada Working Holiday Visa220
Child of a New Zealander Visitor Visa211
Child of a Student Visitor Visa220
Child of a Worker Visitor Visa220
Child of Military Visitor Visa220
Chile Working Holiday Visa220
China Skilled Workers Visa202
China Special Work Visa202
China Working Holiday Visa220
Crew joining a Ship or Plane Visitor Visa211
Croatia Working Holiday Visa220
Culturally Arranged Marriage Visitor Visa211
Czech Working Holiday Visa220
Denmark Working Holiday Visa220
Dependent Child Resident Visa211
Dependent Child Student Visa220
Dismissed Worker Visitor Visa211
Domestic Staff of a Diplomat Work Visa202
Entertainers Work Visa220
Entrepreneur Work Visa211
Escort of Medical Patients Visitor Visa211
Estonia Working Holiday Visa220
Finland Working Holiday Visa220
Foreign Government Supported Student Visa202
France Working Holiday Visa220
German Law Student Visitor Visa211
Germany Working Holiday Visa220
Global Impact Permanent Residence Visa202
Group Visitor Visa220
Guardian Visitor Visa211
Hong Kong SAR Working Holiday Visa220
Hungary Working Holiday Visa220
Indonesia Special Work Visa202
Ireland Working Holiday Visa220
Israel Working Holiday Visa220
Italy Working Holiday Visa220
Japan Working Holiday Visa220
Japanese Interpreters Work Visa202
Korea Working Holiday Visa220
Latvia Working Holiday Visa220
Lithuania Working Holiday Visa220
Luxembourg Working Holiday Visa220
Malaysia Working Holiday Visa220
Malta Working Holiday Visa220
Medical Treatment Visitor Visa211
Mexico Working Holiday Visa220
Netherlands Working Holiday Visa220
Norway Working Holiday Visa220
NZ Government Scholarship Student Visa202
Occupational Registration Visitor Visa211
Pacific Access Category Resident Visa202
Parent and Grandparent Visitor Visa211
Parent Resident Visa220
Parent Retirement Resident Visa202
Partner of a New Zealander Resident Visa211
Partner of a New Zealander Visitor Visa202
Partner of a New Zealander Work Visa220
Partner of a Student Visitor Visa220
Partner of a Student Work Visa202
Partner of a Worker Visitor Visa220
Partner of a Worker Work Visa220
Partner of an NZ Scholarship Student Work Visa202
Partner of Military Visitor Visa220
Partner of Military Work Visa202
Peru Working Holiday Visa220
Philippines Special Work Visa202
Philippines Working Holiday Visa220
Pitcairn Islander Visitor Visa211
Poland Working Holiday Visa220
Portugal Working Holiday Visa220
Primary Sector Trainees Work Visa202
Private Yacht or Plane Visitor Visa211
Refugee Claimant Visitor Visa211
Religious Worker Resident Visa211
Religious Worker Work Visa202
Republic of Korea Special Work Visa202
Samoan Quota Resident Visa220
Short-term Entertainment Act Visitor Visa211
Singapore Work Exchange Programme Visa220
Skilled Migrant Category Resident Visa220
Slovakia Working Holiday Visa220
Slovenia Working Holiday Visa220
South Island Contribution Work Visa202
Spain Working Holiday Visa220
Specific Purpose Work Visa220
Sports Events Visitor Visa211
Straight to Residence Visa220
Student and Trainee Work Visa202
Super Yachts Visitor Visa211
Sweden Working Holiday Visa220
Taiwan Working Holiday Visa220
Temporary Retirement Visitor Visa211
Thai Chefs Work Visa202
Thailand Working Holiday Visa220
Tour Escort Visitor Visa220
Transit Visa220
Turkey Working Holiday Visa220
United Kingdom Working Holiday Visa220
Uruguay Working Holiday Visa220
USA Working Holiday Visa220
Victims of Family Violence Work Visa202
Vietnam Special Work Visa202
Vietnam Working Holiday Visa220
Visiting Media Visitor Visa211
Vocational Trainee Student Visa202
Work to Residence Visa220
Business Visitor Visa110
English Language Student Visa101
Exchange Student Visa101
Fee Paying Student Visa101
Fishing Crew Work Visa110
Pathway Student Visa101
Recognised Seasonal Employer Limited Visa101
Second or Subsequent Resident Visa101
Victims of Family Violence Resident Visa110
Work Exchange Scheme Work Visa101

Complete list of changed published values

The table below contains all 244 numeric changes in this issue, not only the largest movements.

RoutePreviousCurrentDirection
Partner of a New Zealander Work Visa 11 working days39 working daysLonger 254.5%
Partner of a Student Visitor Visa 14 working days38 working daysLonger 171.4%
Partner of a Worker Visitor Visa 14 working days38 working daysLonger 171.4%
Partner of Military Visitor Visa 14 working days38 working daysLonger 171.4%
Entertainers Work Visa 4 working days9 working daysLonger 125%
Fishing Crew Work Visa 51 working days107 working daysLonger 109.8%
Argentina Working Holiday Visa 4 working days7 working daysLonger 75%
Austria Working Holiday Visa 4 working days7 working daysLonger 75%
Belgium Working Holiday Visa 4 working days7 working daysLonger 75%
Brazil Working Holiday Visa 4 working days7 working daysLonger 75%
Business Visitor Visa 4 working days7 working daysLonger 75%
Canada Working Holiday Visa 4 working days7 working daysLonger 75%
Chile Working Holiday Visa 4 working days7 working daysLonger 75%
China Working Holiday Visa 4 working days7 working daysLonger 75%
Croatia Working Holiday Visa 4 working days7 working daysLonger 75%
Czech Working Holiday Visa 4 working days7 working daysLonger 75%
Denmark Working Holiday Visa 4 working days7 working daysLonger 75%
Estonia Working Holiday Visa 4 working days7 working daysLonger 75%
Finland Working Holiday Visa 4 working days7 working daysLonger 75%
France Working Holiday Visa 4 working days7 working daysLonger 75%
Germany Working Holiday Visa 4 working days7 working daysLonger 75%
Hong Kong SAR Working Holiday Visa 4 working days7 working daysLonger 75%
Hungary Working Holiday Visa 4 working days7 working daysLonger 75%
Ireland Working Holiday Visa 4 working days7 working daysLonger 75%
Israel Working Holiday Visa 4 working days7 working daysLonger 75%
Italy Working Holiday Visa 4 working days7 working daysLonger 75%
Japan Working Holiday Visa 4 working days7 working daysLonger 75%
Korea Working Holiday Visa 4 working days7 working daysLonger 75%
Latvia Working Holiday Visa 4 working days7 working daysLonger 75%
Lithuania Working Holiday Visa 4 working days7 working daysLonger 75%
Luxembourg Working Holiday Visa 4 working days7 working daysLonger 75%
Malaysia Working Holiday Visa 4 working days7 working daysLonger 75%
Malta Working Holiday Visa 4 working days7 working daysLonger 75%
Mexico Working Holiday Visa 4 working days7 working daysLonger 75%
Netherlands Working Holiday Visa 4 working days7 working daysLonger 75%
Norway Working Holiday Visa 4 working days7 working daysLonger 75%
Peru Working Holiday Visa 4 working days7 working daysLonger 75%
Philippines Working Holiday Visa 4 working days7 working daysLonger 75%
Poland Working Holiday Visa 4 working days7 working daysLonger 75%
Portugal Working Holiday Visa 4 working days7 working daysLonger 75%
Singapore Work Exchange Programme Visa 4 working days7 working daysLonger 75%
Slovakia Working Holiday Visa 4 working days7 working daysLonger 75%
Slovenia Working Holiday Visa 4 working days7 working daysLonger 75%
Spain Working Holiday Visa 4 working days7 working daysLonger 75%
Sweden Working Holiday Visa 4 working days7 working daysLonger 75%
Taiwan Working Holiday Visa 4 working days7 working daysLonger 75%
Thailand Working Holiday Visa 4 working days7 working daysLonger 75%
Transit Visa 4 working days7 working daysLonger 75%
Turkey Working Holiday Visa 4 working days7 working daysLonger 75%
United Kingdom Working Holiday Visa 4 working days7 working daysLonger 75%
Uruguay Working Holiday Visa 4 working days7 working daysLonger 75%
USA Working Holiday Visa 4 working days7 working daysLonger 75%
Vietnam Working Holiday Visa 4 working days7 working daysLonger 75%
Victims of Family Violence Work Visa 51 working days17 working daysShorter 66.7%
Child of a Student Visitor Visa 21 working days35 working daysLonger 66.7%
Child of a Worker Visitor Visa 21 working days35 working daysLonger 66.7%
Child of Military Visitor Visa 21 working days35 working daysLonger 66.7%
Culturally Arranged Marriage Visitor Visa 10 working days16 working daysLonger 60%
Victims of Family Violence Work Visa 21 working days9 working daysShorter 57.1%
Second or Subsequent Resident Visa 58 working days29 working daysShorter 50%
Recognised Seasonal Employer Limited Visa 4 working days2 working daysShorter 50%
Transit Visa 2 working days3 working daysLonger 50%
Active Investor Plus Visa 71 working days106 working daysLonger 49.3%
Partner of a Student Visitor Visa 50 working days73 working daysLonger 46%
Partner of a Worker Visitor Visa 50 working days73 working daysLonger 46%
Partner of Military Visitor Visa 50 working days73 working daysLonger 46%
Dependent Child Student Visa 22 working days32 working daysLonger 45.5%
China Skilled Workers Visa 39 working days22 working daysShorter 43.6%
China Special Work Visa 39 working days22 working daysShorter 43.6%
Domestic Staff of a Diplomat Work Visa 39 working days22 working daysShorter 43.6%
Global Impact Permanent Residence Visa 39 working days22 working daysShorter 43.6%
Indonesia Special Work Visa 39 working days22 working daysShorter 43.6%
Japanese Interpreters Work Visa 39 working days22 working daysShorter 43.6%
Partner of Military Work Visa 39 working days22 working daysShorter 43.6%
Philippines Special Work Visa 39 working days22 working daysShorter 43.6%
Primary Sector Trainees Work Visa 39 working days22 working daysShorter 43.6%
Republic of Korea Special Work Visa 39 working days22 working daysShorter 43.6%
South Island Contribution Work Visa 39 working days22 working daysShorter 43.6%
Student and Trainee Work Visa 39 working days22 working daysShorter 43.6%
Thai Chefs Work Visa 39 working days22 working daysShorter 43.6%
Vietnam Special Work Visa 39 working days22 working daysShorter 43.6%
Partner of a New Zealander Work Visa 36 working days51 working daysLonger 41.7%
Child of a Student Visitor Visa 51 working days72 working daysLonger 41.2%
Child of a Worker Visitor Visa 51 working days72 working daysLonger 41.2%
Child of Military Visitor Visa 51 working days72 working daysLonger 41.2%
Academic Visitor Visa 17 working days24 working daysLonger 41.2%
Adoption Pre-citizenship Visitor Visa 17 working days24 working daysLonger 41.2%
Adoption Visitor Visa 17 working days24 working daysLonger 41.2%
Antarctic Traveller Visitor Visa 17 working days24 working daysLonger 41.2%
Arts and Music Festival Visitor Visa 17 working days24 working daysLonger 41.2%
Child of a New Zealander Visitor Visa 17 working days24 working daysLonger 41.2%
Crew joining a Ship or Plane Visitor Visa 17 working days24 working daysLonger 41.2%
Dismissed Worker Visitor Visa 17 working days24 working daysLonger 41.2%
Escort of Medical Patients Visitor Visa 17 working days24 working daysLonger 41.2%
German Law Student Visitor Visa 17 working days24 working daysLonger 41.2%
Medical Treatment Visitor Visa 17 working days24 working daysLonger 41.2%
Occupational Registration Visitor Visa 17 working days24 working daysLonger 41.2%
Pitcairn Islander Visitor Visa 17 working days24 working daysLonger 41.2%
Private Yacht or Plane Visitor Visa 17 working days24 working daysLonger 41.2%
Refugee Claimant Visitor Visa 17 working days24 working daysLonger 41.2%
Short-term Entertainment Act Visitor Visa 17 working days24 working daysLonger 41.2%
Sports Events Visitor Visa 17 working days24 working daysLonger 41.2%
Super Yachts Visitor Visa 17 working days24 working daysLonger 41.2%
Temporary Retirement Visitor Visa 17 working days24 working daysLonger 41.2%
Visiting Media Visitor Visa 17 working days24 working daysLonger 41.2%
Guardian Visitor Visa 23 working days32 working daysLonger 39.1%
Entertainers Work Visa 8 working days11 working daysLonger 37.5%
Culturally Arranged Marriage Visitor Visa 44 working days28 working daysShorter 36.4%
Argentina Working Holiday Visa 11 working days15 working daysLonger 36.4%
Austria Working Holiday Visa 11 working days15 working daysLonger 36.4%
Belgium Working Holiday Visa 11 working days15 working daysLonger 36.4%
Brazil Working Holiday Visa 11 working days15 working daysLonger 36.4%
Canada Working Holiday Visa 11 working days15 working daysLonger 36.4%
Chile Working Holiday Visa 11 working days15 working daysLonger 36.4%
China Working Holiday Visa 11 working days15 working daysLonger 36.4%
Croatia Working Holiday Visa 11 working days15 working daysLonger 36.4%
Czech Working Holiday Visa 11 working days15 working daysLonger 36.4%
Denmark Working Holiday Visa 11 working days15 working daysLonger 36.4%
Estonia Working Holiday Visa 11 working days15 working daysLonger 36.4%
Finland Working Holiday Visa 11 working days15 working daysLonger 36.4%
France Working Holiday Visa 11 working days15 working daysLonger 36.4%
Germany Working Holiday Visa 11 working days15 working daysLonger 36.4%
Hong Kong SAR Working Holiday Visa 11 working days15 working daysLonger 36.4%
Hungary Working Holiday Visa 11 working days15 working daysLonger 36.4%
Ireland Working Holiday Visa 11 working days15 working daysLonger 36.4%
Israel Working Holiday Visa 11 working days15 working daysLonger 36.4%
Italy Working Holiday Visa 11 working days15 working daysLonger 36.4%
Japan Working Holiday Visa 11 working days15 working daysLonger 36.4%
Korea Working Holiday Visa 11 working days15 working daysLonger 36.4%
Latvia Working Holiday Visa 11 working days15 working daysLonger 36.4%
Lithuania Working Holiday Visa 11 working days15 working daysLonger 36.4%
Luxembourg Working Holiday Visa 11 working days15 working daysLonger 36.4%
Malaysia Working Holiday Visa 11 working days15 working daysLonger 36.4%
Malta Working Holiday Visa 11 working days15 working daysLonger 36.4%
Mexico Working Holiday Visa 11 working days15 working daysLonger 36.4%
Netherlands Working Holiday Visa 11 working days15 working daysLonger 36.4%
Norway Working Holiday Visa 11 working days15 working daysLonger 36.4%
Peru Working Holiday Visa 11 working days15 working daysLonger 36.4%
Philippines Working Holiday Visa 11 working days15 working daysLonger 36.4%
Poland Working Holiday Visa 11 working days15 working daysLonger 36.4%
Portugal Working Holiday Visa 11 working days15 working daysLonger 36.4%
Singapore Work Exchange Programme Visa 11 working days15 working daysLonger 36.4%
Slovakia Working Holiday Visa 11 working days15 working daysLonger 36.4%
Slovenia Working Holiday Visa 11 working days15 working daysLonger 36.4%
Spain Working Holiday Visa 11 working days15 working daysLonger 36.4%
Sweden Working Holiday Visa 11 working days15 working daysLonger 36.4%
Taiwan Working Holiday Visa 11 working days15 working daysLonger 36.4%
Thailand Working Holiday Visa 11 working days15 working daysLonger 36.4%
Turkey Working Holiday Visa 11 working days15 working daysLonger 36.4%
United Kingdom Working Holiday Visa 11 working days15 working daysLonger 36.4%
Uruguay Working Holiday Visa 11 working days15 working daysLonger 36.4%
USA Working Holiday Visa 11 working days15 working daysLonger 36.4%
Vietnam Working Holiday Visa 11 working days15 working daysLonger 36.4%
Exchange Student Visa 14 working days9 working daysShorter 35.7%
Religious Worker Work Visa 17 working days11 working daysShorter 35.3%
Religious Worker Resident Visa 280 working days183 working daysShorter 34.6%
Religious Worker Resident Visa 91 working days122 working daysLonger 34.1%
Tour Escort Visitor Visa 3 working days4 working daysLonger 33.3%
Partner of a New Zealander Visitor Visa 73 working days51 working daysShorter 30.1%
Dependent Child Student Visa 50 working days65 working daysLonger 30%
Accredited Employer Work Visa 57 working days42 working daysShorter 26.3%
Accredited Employer Work Visa 21 working days16 working daysShorter 23.8%
Specific Purpose Work Visa 17 working days21 working daysLonger 23.5%
Group Visitor Visa 9 working days11 working daysLonger 22.2%
Religious Worker Work Visa 28 working days22 working daysShorter 21.4%
Partner of a Student Work Visa 43 working days35 working daysShorter 18.6%
Partner of an NZ Scholarship Student Work Visa 43 working days35 working daysShorter 18.6%
Samoan Quota Resident Visa 414 working days490 working daysLonger 18.4%
China Skilled Workers Visa 59 working days49 working daysShorter 16.9%
China Special Work Visa 59 working days49 working daysShorter 16.9%
Domestic Staff of a Diplomat Work Visa 59 working days49 working daysShorter 16.9%
Global Impact Permanent Residence Visa 59 working days49 working daysShorter 16.9%
Indonesia Special Work Visa 59 working days49 working daysShorter 16.9%
Japanese Interpreters Work Visa 59 working days49 working daysShorter 16.9%
Partner of Military Work Visa 59 working days49 working daysShorter 16.9%
Philippines Special Work Visa 59 working days49 working daysShorter 16.9%
Primary Sector Trainees Work Visa 59 working days49 working daysShorter 16.9%
Republic of Korea Special Work Visa 59 working days49 working daysShorter 16.9%
South Island Contribution Work Visa 59 working days49 working daysShorter 16.9%
Student and Trainee Work Visa 59 working days49 working daysShorter 16.9%
Thai Chefs Work Visa 59 working days49 working daysShorter 16.9%
Vietnam Special Work Visa 59 working days49 working daysShorter 16.9%
Entrepreneur Work Visa 508 working days428 working daysShorter 15.7%
Parent Retirement Resident Visa 954 working days815 working daysShorter 14.6%
Group Visitor Visa 7 working days8 working daysLonger 14.3%
Samoan Quota Resident Visa 452 working days514 working daysLonger 13.7%
Partner of a Worker Work Visa 37 working days42 working daysLonger 13.5%
Dependent Child Resident Visa 143 working days162 working daysLonger 13.3%
Guardian Visitor Visa 53 working days46 working daysShorter 13.2%
Pacific Access Category Resident Visa 542 working days472 working daysShorter 12.9%
Tour Escort Visitor Visa 8 working days9 working daysLonger 12.5%
Victims of Family Violence Resident Visa 162 working days182 working daysLonger 12.3%
Straight to Residence Visa 50 working days56 working daysLonger 12%
Partner of a Student Work Visa 17 working days15 working daysShorter 11.8%
Partner of an NZ Scholarship Student Work Visa 17 working days15 working daysShorter 11.8%
Academic Visitor Visa 9 working days8 working daysShorter 11.1%
Adoption Pre-citizenship Visitor Visa 9 working days8 working daysShorter 11.1%
Adoption Visitor Visa 9 working days8 working daysShorter 11.1%
Antarctic Traveller Visitor Visa 9 working days8 working daysShorter 11.1%
Arts and Music Festival Visitor Visa 9 working days8 working daysShorter 11.1%
Child of a New Zealander Visitor Visa 9 working days8 working daysShorter 11.1%
Crew joining a Ship or Plane Visitor Visa 9 working days8 working daysShorter 11.1%
Dismissed Worker Visitor Visa 9 working days8 working daysShorter 11.1%
Escort of Medical Patients Visitor Visa 9 working days8 working daysShorter 11.1%
German Law Student Visitor Visa 9 working days8 working daysShorter 11.1%
Medical Treatment Visitor Visa 9 working days8 working daysShorter 11.1%
Occupational Registration Visitor Visa 9 working days8 working daysShorter 11.1%
Pitcairn Islander Visitor Visa 9 working days8 working daysShorter 11.1%
Private Yacht or Plane Visitor Visa 9 working days8 working daysShorter 11.1%
Refugee Claimant Visitor Visa 9 working days8 working daysShorter 11.1%
Short-term Entertainment Act Visitor Visa 9 working days8 working daysShorter 11.1%
Sports Events Visitor Visa 9 working days8 working daysShorter 11.1%
Super Yachts Visitor Visa 9 working days8 working daysShorter 11.1%
Temporary Retirement Visitor Visa 9 working days8 working daysShorter 11.1%
Visiting Media Visitor Visa 9 working days8 working daysShorter 11.1%
Specific Purpose Work Visa 10 working days11 working daysLonger 10%
Work to Residence Visa 52 working days56 working daysLonger 7.7%
English Language Student Visa 57 working days53 working daysShorter 7%
Fee Paying Student Visa 57 working days53 working daysShorter 7%
Pathway Student Visa 57 working days53 working daysShorter 7%
Entrepreneur Work Visa 368 working days392 working daysLonger 6.5%
Work to Residence Visa 80 working days85 working daysLonger 6.3%
Parent Retirement Resident Visa 455 working days427 working daysShorter 6.2%
Work Exchange Scheme Work Visa 17 working days16 working daysShorter 5.9%
Parent Resident Visa 298 working days312 working daysLonger 4.7%
Skilled Migrant Category Resident Visa 64 working days67 working daysLonger 4.7%
Active Investor Plus Visa 43 working days45 working daysLonger 4.7%
Foreign Government Supported Student Visa 22 working days21 working daysShorter 4.5%
Foreign Government Supported Student Visa 22 working days21 working daysShorter 4.5%
NZ Government Scholarship Student Visa 22 working days21 working daysShorter 4.5%
NZ Government Scholarship Student Visa 22 working days21 working daysShorter 4.5%
Vocational Trainee Student Visa 22 working days21 working daysShorter 4.5%
Vocational Trainee Student Visa 22 working days21 working daysShorter 4.5%
Dependent Child Resident Visa 197 working days189 working daysShorter 4.1%
Parent and Grandparent Visitor Visa 51 working days53 working daysLonger 3.9%
Straight to Residence Visa 92 working days95 working daysLonger 3.3%
Partner of a Worker Work Visa 30 working days31 working daysLonger 3.3%
Skilled Migrant Category Resident Visa 99 working days102 working daysLonger 3%
Pacific Access Category Resident Visa 484 working days471 working daysShorter 2.7%
Partner of a New Zealander Visitor Visa 38 working days37 working daysShorter 2.6%
Parent Resident Visa 200 working days205 working daysLonger 2.5%
Partner of a New Zealander Resident Visa 203 working days199 working daysShorter 2%
Parent and Grandparent Visitor Visa 86 working days85 working daysShorter 1.2%
Partner of a New Zealander Resident Visa 171 working days172 working daysLonger 0.6%

Method and limits

GovWait compares consecutive rows in its append-only history. A numeric change is counted only when both official observations contain a published duration and the normalized values differ. Unchanged values and unavailable states are counted separately. Percentages are calculated from normalized days, while the tables retain the agency’s original day-or-week wording.

This analysis describes changes in published planning figures, not case outcomes, approval odds or a guarantee for an individual application. Read the current NZ comparison and methodology or the full GovWait methodology.

Official sources: INZ dataset 1 · compared August 23, 2026 through September 1, 2026 with September 25, 2026 · not immigration or legal advice.