GovWait Official government processing times, with source status

NZ processing-time changes: October 9, 2026

GovWait compared 191 INZ records from August 23, 2026 through October 2, 2026 with the official values dated October 9, 2026. Of 191 routes with a published value at both checks, 191 changed and 0 stayed at the same published value.

191
published values changed
66
became longer
125
became shorter
0
same published value
Permanent change issue

This URL preserves the comparison dated October 9, 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 October 2, 2026October 9, 2026Change
Permanent Resident Visa 14 working days309 working daysLonger 2107.1%
Permanent Resident Visa 10 working days196 working daysLonger 1860%
Accredited Employer Work Visa 16 working days53 working daysLonger 231.3%
Accredited Employer Work Visa 37 working days88 working daysLonger 137.8%
Pacific Access Category Resident Visa 472 working days1075 working daysLonger 127.8%
Partner of a Worker Work Visa 42 working days91 working daysLonger 116.7%
Pacific Access Category Resident Visa 471 working days997 working daysLonger 111.7%
Partner of a Worker Work Visa 25 working days52 working daysLonger 108%
Recognised Seasonal Employer Limited Visa 2 working days4 working daysLonger 100%
Victims of Family Violence Resident Visa 182 working days329 working daysLonger 80.8%
Victims of Family Violence Work Visa 9 working days14 working daysLonger 55.6%
Academic Visitor Visa 8 working days11 working daysLonger 37.5%
Adoption Pre-citizenship Visitor Visa 8 working days11 working daysLonger 37.5%
Adoption Visitor Visa 8 working days11 working daysLonger 37.5%
Antarctic Traveller Visitor Visa 8 working days11 working daysLonger 37.5%

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 October 2, 2026October 9, 2026Change
Work to Residence Visa 52 working days4 working daysShorter 92.3%
Work to Residence Visa 86 working days11 working daysShorter 87.2%
Parent Resident Visa 204 working days29 working daysShorter 85.8%
Parent Resident Visa 324 working days56 working daysShorter 82.7%
Straight to Residence Visa 53 working days16 working daysShorter 69.8%
Skilled Migrant Category Resident Visa 71 working days23 working daysShorter 67.6%
Exchange Student Visa 8 working days3 working daysShorter 62.5%
Partner of a New Zealander Resident Visa 172 working days65 working daysShorter 62.2%
Straight to Residence Visa 94 working days37 working daysShorter 60.6%
Fishing Crew Work Visa 107 working days45 working daysShorter 57.9%
Guardian Visitor Visa 32 working days14 working daysShorter 56.3%
Skilled Migrant Category Resident Visa 106 working days51 working daysShorter 51.9%
Partner of a New Zealander Resident Visa 197 working days98 working daysShorter 50.3%
Transit Visa 7 working days4 working daysShorter 42.9%
Culturally Arranged Marriage Visitor Visa 16 working days10 working daysShorter 37.5%

Where changes were concentrated

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

Complete list of changed published values

The table below contains all 191 numeric changes in this issue, not only the largest movements.

RoutePreviousCurrentDirection
Permanent Resident Visa 14 working days309 working daysLonger 2107.1%
Permanent Resident Visa 10 working days196 working daysLonger 1860%
Accredited Employer Work Visa 16 working days53 working daysLonger 231.3%
Accredited Employer Work Visa 37 working days88 working daysLonger 137.8%
Pacific Access Category Resident Visa 472 working days1075 working daysLonger 127.8%
Partner of a Worker Work Visa 42 working days91 working daysLonger 116.7%
Pacific Access Category Resident Visa 471 working days997 working daysLonger 111.7%
Partner of a Worker Work Visa 25 working days52 working daysLonger 108%
Recognised Seasonal Employer Limited Visa 2 working days4 working daysLonger 100%
Work to Residence Visa 52 working days4 working daysShorter 92.3%
Work to Residence Visa 86 working days11 working daysShorter 87.2%
Parent Resident Visa 204 working days29 working daysShorter 85.8%
Parent Resident Visa 324 working days56 working daysShorter 82.7%
Victims of Family Violence Resident Visa 182 working days329 working daysLonger 80.8%
Straight to Residence Visa 53 working days16 working daysShorter 69.8%
Skilled Migrant Category Resident Visa 71 working days23 working daysShorter 67.6%
Exchange Student Visa 8 working days3 working daysShorter 62.5%
Partner of a New Zealander Resident Visa 172 working days65 working daysShorter 62.2%
Straight to Residence Visa 94 working days37 working daysShorter 60.6%
Fishing Crew Work Visa 107 working days45 working daysShorter 57.9%
Guardian Visitor Visa 32 working days14 working daysShorter 56.3%
Victims of Family Violence Work Visa 9 working days14 working daysLonger 55.6%
Skilled Migrant Category Resident Visa 106 working days51 working daysShorter 51.9%
Partner of a New Zealander Resident Visa 197 working days98 working daysShorter 50.3%
Transit Visa 7 working days4 working daysShorter 42.9%
Culturally Arranged Marriage Visitor Visa 16 working days10 working daysShorter 37.5%
Academic Visitor Visa 8 working days11 working daysLonger 37.5%
Adoption Pre-citizenship Visitor Visa 8 working days11 working daysLonger 37.5%
Adoption Visitor Visa 8 working days11 working daysLonger 37.5%
Antarctic Traveller Visitor Visa 8 working days11 working daysLonger 37.5%
Arts and Music Festival Visitor Visa 8 working days11 working daysLonger 37.5%
Child of a New Zealander Visitor Visa 8 working days11 working daysLonger 37.5%
Crew joining a Ship or Plane Visitor Visa 8 working days11 working daysLonger 37.5%
Dismissed Worker Visitor Visa 8 working days11 working daysLonger 37.5%
Escort of Medical Patients Visitor Visa 8 working days11 working daysLonger 37.5%
German Law Student Visitor Visa 8 working days11 working daysLonger 37.5%
Medical Treatment Visitor Visa 8 working days11 working daysLonger 37.5%
Occupational Registration Visitor Visa 8 working days11 working daysLonger 37.5%
Pitcairn Islander Visitor Visa 8 working days11 working daysLonger 37.5%
Private Yacht or Plane Visitor Visa 8 working days11 working daysLonger 37.5%
Refugee Claimant Visitor Visa 8 working days11 working daysLonger 37.5%
Short-term Entertainment Act Visitor Visa 8 working days11 working daysLonger 37.5%
Sports Events Visitor Visa 8 working days11 working daysLonger 37.5%
Super Yachts Visitor Visa 8 working days11 working daysLonger 37.5%
Temporary Retirement Visitor Visa 8 working days11 working daysLonger 37.5%
Visiting Media Visitor Visa 8 working days11 working daysLonger 37.5%
Entrepreneur Work Visa 392 working days536 working daysLonger 36.7%
Group Visitor Visa 11 working days15 working daysLonger 36.4%
Transit Visa 3 working days2 working daysShorter 33.3%
Partner of a Student Visitor Visa 73 working days49 working daysShorter 32.9%
Partner of a Worker Visitor Visa 73 working days49 working daysShorter 32.9%
Partner of Military Visitor Visa 73 working days49 working daysShorter 32.9%
Child of a Student Visitor Visa 72 working days50 working daysShorter 30.6%
Child of a Worker Visitor Visa 72 working days50 working daysShorter 30.6%
Child of Military Visitor Visa 72 working days50 working daysShorter 30.6%
Victims of Family Violence Work Visa 17 working days22 working daysLonger 29.4%
Entrepreneur Work Visa 428 working days536 working daysLonger 25.2%
Academic Visitor Visa 24 working days30 working daysLonger 25%
Adoption Pre-citizenship Visitor Visa 24 working days30 working daysLonger 25%
Adoption Visitor Visa 24 working days30 working daysLonger 25%
Antarctic Traveller Visitor Visa 24 working days30 working daysLonger 25%
Arts and Music Festival Visitor Visa 24 working days30 working daysLonger 25%
Child of a New Zealander Visitor Visa 24 working days30 working daysLonger 25%
Crew joining a Ship or Plane Visitor Visa 24 working days30 working daysLonger 25%
Dismissed Worker Visitor Visa 24 working days30 working daysLonger 25%
Escort of Medical Patients Visitor Visa 24 working days30 working daysLonger 25%
German Law Student Visitor Visa 24 working days30 working daysLonger 25%
Medical Treatment Visitor Visa 24 working days30 working daysLonger 25%
Occupational Registration Visitor Visa 24 working days30 working daysLonger 25%
Pitcairn Islander Visitor Visa 24 working days30 working daysLonger 25%
Private Yacht or Plane Visitor Visa 24 working days30 working daysLonger 25%
Refugee Claimant Visitor Visa 24 working days30 working daysLonger 25%
Short-term Entertainment Act Visitor Visa 24 working days30 working daysLonger 25%
Sports Events Visitor Visa 24 working days30 working daysLonger 25%
Super Yachts Visitor Visa 24 working days30 working daysLonger 25%
Temporary Retirement Visitor Visa 24 working days30 working daysLonger 25%
Visiting Media Visitor Visa 24 working days30 working daysLonger 25%
China Skilled Workers Visa 22 working days17 working daysShorter 22.7%
China Special Work Visa 22 working days17 working daysShorter 22.7%
Domestic Staff of a Diplomat Work Visa 22 working days17 working daysShorter 22.7%
Global Impact Permanent Residence Visa 22 working days17 working daysShorter 22.7%
Indonesia Special Work Visa 22 working days17 working daysShorter 22.7%
Japanese Interpreters Work Visa 22 working days17 working daysShorter 22.7%
Partner of Military Work Visa 22 working days17 working daysShorter 22.7%
Philippines Special Work Visa 22 working days17 working daysShorter 22.7%
Primary Sector Trainees Work Visa 22 working days17 working daysShorter 22.7%
Religious Worker Work Visa 22 working days17 working daysShorter 22.7%
Republic of Korea Special Work Visa 22 working days17 working daysShorter 22.7%
South Island Contribution Work Visa 22 working days17 working daysShorter 22.7%
Student and Trainee Work Visa 22 working days17 working daysShorter 22.7%
Thai Chefs Work Visa 22 working days17 working daysShorter 22.7%
Vietnam Special Work Visa 22 working days17 working daysShorter 22.7%
Tour Escort Visitor Visa 9 working days7 working daysShorter 22.2%
Dependent Child Student Visa 65 working days51 working daysShorter 21.5%
Argentina Working Holiday Visa 14 working days11 working daysShorter 21.4%
Austria Working Holiday Visa 14 working days11 working daysShorter 21.4%
Belgium Working Holiday Visa 14 working days11 working daysShorter 21.4%
Brazil Working Holiday Visa 14 working days11 working daysShorter 21.4%
Canada Working Holiday Visa 14 working days11 working daysShorter 21.4%
Chile Working Holiday Visa 14 working days11 working daysShorter 21.4%
China Working Holiday Visa 14 working days11 working daysShorter 21.4%
Croatia Working Holiday Visa 14 working days11 working daysShorter 21.4%
Czech Working Holiday Visa 14 working days11 working daysShorter 21.4%
Denmark Working Holiday Visa 14 working days11 working daysShorter 21.4%
Estonia Working Holiday Visa 14 working days11 working daysShorter 21.4%
Finland Working Holiday Visa 14 working days11 working daysShorter 21.4%
France Working Holiday Visa 14 working days11 working daysShorter 21.4%
Germany Working Holiday Visa 14 working days11 working daysShorter 21.4%
Hong Kong SAR Working Holiday Visa 14 working days11 working daysShorter 21.4%
Hungary Working Holiday Visa 14 working days11 working daysShorter 21.4%
Ireland Working Holiday Visa 14 working days11 working daysShorter 21.4%
Israel Working Holiday Visa 14 working days11 working daysShorter 21.4%
Italy Working Holiday Visa 14 working days11 working daysShorter 21.4%
Japan Working Holiday Visa 14 working days11 working daysShorter 21.4%
Korea Working Holiday Visa 14 working days11 working daysShorter 21.4%
Latvia Working Holiday Visa 14 working days11 working daysShorter 21.4%
Lithuania Working Holiday Visa 14 working days11 working daysShorter 21.4%
Luxembourg Working Holiday Visa 14 working days11 working daysShorter 21.4%
Malaysia Working Holiday Visa 14 working days11 working daysShorter 21.4%
Malta Working Holiday Visa 14 working days11 working daysShorter 21.4%
Mexico Working Holiday Visa 14 working days11 working daysShorter 21.4%
Netherlands Working Holiday Visa 14 working days11 working daysShorter 21.4%
Norway Working Holiday Visa 14 working days11 working daysShorter 21.4%
Peru Working Holiday Visa 14 working days11 working daysShorter 21.4%
Philippines Working Holiday Visa 14 working days11 working daysShorter 21.4%
Poland Working Holiday Visa 14 working days11 working daysShorter 21.4%
Portugal Working Holiday Visa 14 working days11 working daysShorter 21.4%
Singapore Work Exchange Programme Visa 14 working days11 working daysShorter 21.4%
Slovakia Working Holiday Visa 14 working days11 working daysShorter 21.4%
Slovenia Working Holiday Visa 14 working days11 working daysShorter 21.4%
Spain Working Holiday Visa 14 working days11 working daysShorter 21.4%
Sweden Working Holiday Visa 14 working days11 working daysShorter 21.4%
Taiwan Working Holiday Visa 14 working days11 working daysShorter 21.4%
Thailand Working Holiday Visa 14 working days11 working daysShorter 21.4%
Turkey Working Holiday Visa 14 working days11 working daysShorter 21.4%
United Kingdom Working Holiday Visa 14 working days11 working daysShorter 21.4%
Uruguay Working Holiday Visa 14 working days11 working daysShorter 21.4%
USA Working Holiday Visa 14 working days11 working daysShorter 21.4%
Vietnam Working Holiday Visa 14 working days11 working daysShorter 21.4%
Entertainers Work Visa 11 working days9 working daysShorter 18.2%
Partner of a New Zealander Work Visa 39 working days32 working daysShorter 17.9%
Guardian Visitor Visa 46 working days38 working daysShorter 17.4%
Parent Retirement Resident Visa 815 working days683 working daysShorter 16.2%
Samoan Quota Resident Visa 514 working days595 working daysLonger 15.8%
Religious Worker Resident Visa 183 working days154 working daysShorter 15.8%
Partner of a New Zealander Work Visa 51 working days44 working daysShorter 13.7%
Partner of a Student Work Visa 15 working days17 working daysLonger 13.3%
Partner of an NZ Scholarship Student Work Visa 15 working days17 working daysLonger 13.3%
Group Visitor Visa 8 working days9 working daysLonger 12.5%
Partner of a Student Work Visa 35 working days39 working daysLonger 11.4%
Partner of an NZ Scholarship Student Work Visa 35 working days39 working daysLonger 11.4%
Business Visitor Visa 9 working days8 working daysShorter 11.1%
Entertainers Work Visa 9 working days8 working daysShorter 11.1%
Exchange Student Visa 9 working days8 working daysShorter 11.1%
Culturally Arranged Marriage Visitor Visa 28 working days31 working daysLonger 10.7%
Fishing Crew Work Visa 50 working days45 working daysShorter 10%
Dependent Child Student Visa 32 working days35 working daysLonger 9.4%
Specific Purpose Work Visa 11 working days10 working daysShorter 9.1%
English Language Student Visa 23 working days21 working daysShorter 8.7%
Fee Paying Student Visa 23 working days21 working daysShorter 8.7%
Pathway Student Visa 23 working days21 working daysShorter 8.7%
Parent Retirement Resident Visa 427 working days392 working daysShorter 8.2%
China Skilled Workers Visa 49 working days45 working daysShorter 8.2%
China Special Work Visa 49 working days45 working daysShorter 8.2%
Domestic Staff of a Diplomat Work Visa 49 working days45 working daysShorter 8.2%
Global Impact Permanent Residence Visa 49 working days45 working daysShorter 8.2%
Indonesia Special Work Visa 49 working days45 working daysShorter 8.2%
Japanese Interpreters Work Visa 49 working days45 working daysShorter 8.2%
Partner of Military Work Visa 49 working days45 working daysShorter 8.2%
Philippines Special Work Visa 49 working days45 working daysShorter 8.2%
Primary Sector Trainees Work Visa 49 working days45 working daysShorter 8.2%
Republic of Korea Special Work Visa 49 working days45 working daysShorter 8.2%
South Island Contribution Work Visa 49 working days45 working daysShorter 8.2%
Student and Trainee Work Visa 49 working days45 working daysShorter 8.2%
Thai Chefs Work Visa 49 working days45 working daysShorter 8.2%
Vietnam Special Work Visa 49 working days45 working daysShorter 8.2%
Partner of a Student Visitor Visa 38 working days35 working daysShorter 7.9%
Partner of a Worker Visitor Visa 38 working days35 working daysShorter 7.9%
Partner of Military Visitor Visa 38 working days35 working daysShorter 7.9%
English Language Student Visa 53 working days49 working daysShorter 7.5%
Fee Paying Student Visa 53 working days49 working daysShorter 7.5%
Pathway Student Visa 53 working days49 working daysShorter 7.5%
Partner of a New Zealander Visitor Visa 32 working days30 working daysShorter 6.3%
Work Exchange Scheme Work Visa 16 working days15 working daysShorter 6.3%
Specific Purpose Work Visa 21 working days22 working daysLonger 4.8%
Samoan Quota Resident Visa 490 working days512 working daysLonger 4.5%
Parent and Grandparent Visitor Visa 53 working days51 working daysShorter 3.8%
Dependent Child Resident Visa 189 working days182 working daysShorter 3.7%
Dependent Child Resident Visa 162 working days156 working daysShorter 3.7%
Second or Subsequent Resident Visa 29 working days28 working daysShorter 3.4%
Victims of Family Violence Resident Visa 86 working days87 working daysLonger 1.2%

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 October 2, 2026 with October 9, 2026 · not immigration or legal advice.