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.
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.
| Route | August 23, 2026 through October 2, 2026 | October 9, 2026 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Permanent Resident Visa | 14 working days | 309 working days | Longer 2107.1% |
| Permanent Resident Visa | 10 working days | 196 working days | Longer 1860% |
| Accredited Employer Work Visa | 16 working days | 53 working days | Longer 231.3% |
| Accredited Employer Work Visa | 37 working days | 88 working days | Longer 137.8% |
| Pacific Access Category Resident Visa | 472 working days | 1075 working days | Longer 127.8% |
| Partner of a Worker Work Visa | 42 working days | 91 working days | Longer 116.7% |
| Pacific Access Category Resident Visa | 471 working days | 997 working days | Longer 111.7% |
| Partner of a Worker Work Visa | 25 working days | 52 working days | Longer 108% |
| Recognised Seasonal Employer Limited Visa | 2 working days | 4 working days | Longer 100% |
| Victims of Family Violence Resident Visa | 182 working days | 329 working days | Longer 80.8% |
| Victims of Family Violence Work Visa | 9 working days | 14 working days | Longer 55.6% |
| Academic Visitor Visa | 8 working days | 11 working days | Longer 37.5% |
| Adoption Pre-citizenship Visitor Visa | 8 working days | 11 working days | Longer 37.5% |
| Adoption Visitor Visa | 8 working days | 11 working days | Longer 37.5% |
| Antarctic Traveller Visitor Visa | 8 working days | 11 working days | Longer 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.
| Route | August 23, 2026 through October 2, 2026 | October 9, 2026 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Work to Residence Visa | 52 working days | 4 working days | Shorter 92.3% |
| Work to Residence Visa | 86 working days | 11 working days | Shorter 87.2% |
| Parent Resident Visa | 204 working days | 29 working days | Shorter 85.8% |
| Parent Resident Visa | 324 working days | 56 working days | Shorter 82.7% |
| Straight to Residence Visa | 53 working days | 16 working days | Shorter 69.8% |
| Skilled Migrant Category Resident Visa | 71 working days | 23 working days | Shorter 67.6% |
| Exchange Student Visa | 8 working days | 3 working days | Shorter 62.5% |
| Partner of a New Zealander Resident Visa | 172 working days | 65 working days | Shorter 62.2% |
| Straight to Residence Visa | 94 working days | 37 working days | Shorter 60.6% |
| Fishing Crew Work Visa | 107 working days | 45 working days | Shorter 57.9% |
| Guardian Visitor Visa | 32 working days | 14 working days | Shorter 56.3% |
| Skilled Migrant Category Resident Visa | 106 working days | 51 working days | Shorter 51.9% |
| Partner of a New Zealander Resident Visa | 197 working days | 98 working days | Shorter 50.3% |
| Transit Visa | 7 working days | 4 working days | Shorter 42.9% |
| Culturally Arranged Marriage Visitor Visa | 16 working days | 10 working days | Shorter 37.5% |
Where changes were concentrated
| Service | Changed routes | Longer | Shorter |
|---|---|---|---|
| Academic Visitor Visa | 2 | 2 | 0 |
| Accredited Employer Work Visa | 2 | 2 | 0 |
| Adoption Pre-citizenship Visitor Visa | 2 | 2 | 0 |
| Adoption Visitor Visa | 2 | 2 | 0 |
| Antarctic Traveller Visitor Visa | 2 | 2 | 0 |
| Arts and Music Festival Visitor Visa | 2 | 2 | 0 |
| Child of a New Zealander Visitor Visa | 2 | 2 | 0 |
| China Skilled Workers Visa | 2 | 0 | 2 |
| China Special Work Visa | 2 | 0 | 2 |
| Crew joining a Ship or Plane Visitor Visa | 2 | 2 | 0 |
| Culturally Arranged Marriage Visitor Visa | 2 | 1 | 1 |
| Dependent Child Resident Visa | 2 | 0 | 2 |
| Dependent Child Student Visa | 2 | 1 | 1 |
| Dismissed Worker Visitor Visa | 2 | 2 | 0 |
| Domestic Staff of a Diplomat Work Visa | 2 | 0 | 2 |
| English Language Student Visa | 2 | 0 | 2 |
| Entertainers Work Visa | 2 | 0 | 2 |
| Entrepreneur Work Visa | 2 | 2 | 0 |
| Escort of Medical Patients Visitor Visa | 2 | 2 | 0 |
| Exchange Student Visa | 2 | 0 | 2 |
| Fee Paying Student Visa | 2 | 0 | 2 |
| Fishing Crew Work Visa | 2 | 0 | 2 |
| German Law Student Visitor Visa | 2 | 2 | 0 |
| Global Impact Permanent Residence Visa | 2 | 0 | 2 |
| Group Visitor Visa | 2 | 2 | 0 |
| Guardian Visitor Visa | 2 | 0 | 2 |
| Indonesia Special Work Visa | 2 | 0 | 2 |
| Japanese Interpreters Work Visa | 2 | 0 | 2 |
| Medical Treatment Visitor Visa | 2 | 2 | 0 |
| Occupational Registration Visitor Visa | 2 | 2 | 0 |
| Pacific Access Category Resident Visa | 2 | 2 | 0 |
| Parent Resident Visa | 2 | 0 | 2 |
| Parent Retirement Resident Visa | 2 | 0 | 2 |
| Partner of a New Zealander Resident Visa | 2 | 0 | 2 |
| Partner of a New Zealander Work Visa | 2 | 0 | 2 |
| Partner of a Student Visitor Visa | 2 | 0 | 2 |
| Partner of a Student Work Visa | 2 | 2 | 0 |
| Partner of a Worker Visitor Visa | 2 | 0 | 2 |
| Partner of a Worker Work Visa | 2 | 2 | 0 |
| Partner of an NZ Scholarship Student Work Visa | 2 | 2 | 0 |
| Partner of Military Visitor Visa | 2 | 0 | 2 |
| Partner of Military Work Visa | 2 | 0 | 2 |
| Pathway Student Visa | 2 | 0 | 2 |
| Permanent Resident Visa | 2 | 2 | 0 |
| Philippines Special Work Visa | 2 | 0 | 2 |
| Pitcairn Islander Visitor Visa | 2 | 2 | 0 |
| Primary Sector Trainees Work Visa | 2 | 0 | 2 |
| Private Yacht or Plane Visitor Visa | 2 | 2 | 0 |
| Refugee Claimant Visitor Visa | 2 | 2 | 0 |
| Republic of Korea Special Work Visa | 2 | 0 | 2 |
| Samoan Quota Resident Visa | 2 | 2 | 0 |
| Short-term Entertainment Act Visitor Visa | 2 | 2 | 0 |
| Skilled Migrant Category Resident Visa | 2 | 0 | 2 |
| South Island Contribution Work Visa | 2 | 0 | 2 |
| Specific Purpose Work Visa | 2 | 1 | 1 |
| Sports Events Visitor Visa | 2 | 2 | 0 |
| Straight to Residence Visa | 2 | 0 | 2 |
| Student and Trainee Work Visa | 2 | 0 | 2 |
| Super Yachts Visitor Visa | 2 | 2 | 0 |
| Temporary Retirement Visitor Visa | 2 | 2 | 0 |
| Thai Chefs Work Visa | 2 | 0 | 2 |
| Transit Visa | 2 | 0 | 2 |
| Victims of Family Violence Resident Visa | 2 | 2 | 0 |
| Victims of Family Violence Work Visa | 2 | 2 | 0 |
| Vietnam Special Work Visa | 2 | 0 | 2 |
| Visiting Media Visitor Visa | 2 | 2 | 0 |
| Work to Residence Visa | 2 | 0 | 2 |
| Argentina Working Holiday Visa | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| Austria Working Holiday Visa | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| Belgium Working Holiday Visa | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| Brazil Working Holiday Visa | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| Business Visitor Visa | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| Canada Working Holiday Visa | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| Child of a Student Visitor Visa | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| Child of a Worker Visitor Visa | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| Child of Military Visitor Visa | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| Chile Working Holiday Visa | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| China Working Holiday Visa | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| Croatia Working Holiday Visa | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| Czech Working Holiday Visa | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| Denmark Working Holiday Visa | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| Estonia Working Holiday Visa | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| Finland Working Holiday Visa | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| France Working Holiday Visa | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| Germany Working Holiday Visa | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| Hong Kong SAR Working Holiday Visa | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| Hungary Working Holiday Visa | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| Ireland Working Holiday Visa | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| Israel Working Holiday Visa | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| Italy Working Holiday Visa | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| Japan Working Holiday Visa | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| Korea Working Holiday Visa | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| Latvia Working Holiday Visa | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| Lithuania Working Holiday Visa | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| Luxembourg Working Holiday Visa | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| Malaysia Working Holiday Visa | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| Malta Working Holiday Visa | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| Mexico Working Holiday Visa | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| Netherlands Working Holiday Visa | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| Norway Working Holiday Visa | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| Parent and Grandparent Visitor Visa | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| Partner of a New Zealander Visitor Visa | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| Peru Working Holiday Visa | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| Philippines Working Holiday Visa | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| Poland Working Holiday Visa | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| Portugal Working Holiday Visa | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| Recognised Seasonal Employer Limited Visa | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Religious Worker Resident Visa | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| Religious Worker Work Visa | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| Second or Subsequent Resident Visa | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| Singapore Work Exchange Programme Visa | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| Slovakia Working Holiday Visa | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| Slovenia Working Holiday Visa | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| Spain Working Holiday Visa | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| Sweden Working Holiday Visa | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| Taiwan Working Holiday Visa | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| Thailand Working Holiday Visa | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| Tour Escort Visitor Visa | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| Turkey Working Holiday Visa | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| United Kingdom Working Holiday Visa | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| Uruguay Working Holiday Visa | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| USA Working Holiday Visa | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| Vietnam Working Holiday Visa | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| Work Exchange Scheme Work Visa | 1 | 0 | 1 |
Complete list of changed published values
The table below contains all 191 numeric changes in this issue, not only the largest movements.
| Route | Previous | Current | Direction |
|---|---|---|---|
| Permanent Resident Visa | 14 working days | 309 working days | Longer 2107.1% |
| Permanent Resident Visa | 10 working days | 196 working days | Longer 1860% |
| Accredited Employer Work Visa | 16 working days | 53 working days | Longer 231.3% |
| Accredited Employer Work Visa | 37 working days | 88 working days | Longer 137.8% |
| Pacific Access Category Resident Visa | 472 working days | 1075 working days | Longer 127.8% |
| Partner of a Worker Work Visa | 42 working days | 91 working days | Longer 116.7% |
| Pacific Access Category Resident Visa | 471 working days | 997 working days | Longer 111.7% |
| Partner of a Worker Work Visa | 25 working days | 52 working days | Longer 108% |
| Recognised Seasonal Employer Limited Visa | 2 working days | 4 working days | Longer 100% |
| Work to Residence Visa | 52 working days | 4 working days | Shorter 92.3% |
| Work to Residence Visa | 86 working days | 11 working days | Shorter 87.2% |
| Parent Resident Visa | 204 working days | 29 working days | Shorter 85.8% |
| Parent Resident Visa | 324 working days | 56 working days | Shorter 82.7% |
| Victims of Family Violence Resident Visa | 182 working days | 329 working days | Longer 80.8% |
| Straight to Residence Visa | 53 working days | 16 working days | Shorter 69.8% |
| Skilled Migrant Category Resident Visa | 71 working days | 23 working days | Shorter 67.6% |
| Exchange Student Visa | 8 working days | 3 working days | Shorter 62.5% |
| Partner of a New Zealander Resident Visa | 172 working days | 65 working days | Shorter 62.2% |
| Straight to Residence Visa | 94 working days | 37 working days | Shorter 60.6% |
| Fishing Crew Work Visa | 107 working days | 45 working days | Shorter 57.9% |
| Guardian Visitor Visa | 32 working days | 14 working days | Shorter 56.3% |
| Victims of Family Violence Work Visa | 9 working days | 14 working days | Longer 55.6% |
| Skilled Migrant Category Resident Visa | 106 working days | 51 working days | Shorter 51.9% |
| Partner of a New Zealander Resident Visa | 197 working days | 98 working days | Shorter 50.3% |
| Transit Visa | 7 working days | 4 working days | Shorter 42.9% |
| Culturally Arranged Marriage Visitor Visa | 16 working days | 10 working days | Shorter 37.5% |
| Academic Visitor Visa | 8 working days | 11 working days | Longer 37.5% |
| Adoption Pre-citizenship Visitor Visa | 8 working days | 11 working days | Longer 37.5% |
| Adoption Visitor Visa | 8 working days | 11 working days | Longer 37.5% |
| Antarctic Traveller Visitor Visa | 8 working days | 11 working days | Longer 37.5% |
| Arts and Music Festival Visitor Visa | 8 working days | 11 working days | Longer 37.5% |
| Child of a New Zealander Visitor Visa | 8 working days | 11 working days | Longer 37.5% |
| Crew joining a Ship or Plane Visitor Visa | 8 working days | 11 working days | Longer 37.5% |
| Dismissed Worker Visitor Visa | 8 working days | 11 working days | Longer 37.5% |
| Escort of Medical Patients Visitor Visa | 8 working days | 11 working days | Longer 37.5% |
| German Law Student Visitor Visa | 8 working days | 11 working days | Longer 37.5% |
| Medical Treatment Visitor Visa | 8 working days | 11 working days | Longer 37.5% |
| Occupational Registration Visitor Visa | 8 working days | 11 working days | Longer 37.5% |
| Pitcairn Islander Visitor Visa | 8 working days | 11 working days | Longer 37.5% |
| Private Yacht or Plane Visitor Visa | 8 working days | 11 working days | Longer 37.5% |
| Refugee Claimant Visitor Visa | 8 working days | 11 working days | Longer 37.5% |
| Short-term Entertainment Act Visitor Visa | 8 working days | 11 working days | Longer 37.5% |
| Sports Events Visitor Visa | 8 working days | 11 working days | Longer 37.5% |
| Super Yachts Visitor Visa | 8 working days | 11 working days | Longer 37.5% |
| Temporary Retirement Visitor Visa | 8 working days | 11 working days | Longer 37.5% |
| Visiting Media Visitor Visa | 8 working days | 11 working days | Longer 37.5% |
| Entrepreneur Work Visa | 392 working days | 536 working days | Longer 36.7% |
| Group Visitor Visa | 11 working days | 15 working days | Longer 36.4% |
| Transit Visa | 3 working days | 2 working days | Shorter 33.3% |
| Partner of a Student Visitor Visa | 73 working days | 49 working days | Shorter 32.9% |
| Partner of a Worker Visitor Visa | 73 working days | 49 working days | Shorter 32.9% |
| Partner of Military Visitor Visa | 73 working days | 49 working days | Shorter 32.9% |
| Child of a Student Visitor Visa | 72 working days | 50 working days | Shorter 30.6% |
| Child of a Worker Visitor Visa | 72 working days | 50 working days | Shorter 30.6% |
| Child of Military Visitor Visa | 72 working days | 50 working days | Shorter 30.6% |
| Victims of Family Violence Work Visa | 17 working days | 22 working days | Longer 29.4% |
| Entrepreneur Work Visa | 428 working days | 536 working days | Longer 25.2% |
| Academic Visitor Visa | 24 working days | 30 working days | Longer 25% |
| Adoption Pre-citizenship Visitor Visa | 24 working days | 30 working days | Longer 25% |
| Adoption Visitor Visa | 24 working days | 30 working days | Longer 25% |
| Antarctic Traveller Visitor Visa | 24 working days | 30 working days | Longer 25% |
| Arts and Music Festival Visitor Visa | 24 working days | 30 working days | Longer 25% |
| Child of a New Zealander Visitor Visa | 24 working days | 30 working days | Longer 25% |
| Crew joining a Ship or Plane Visitor Visa | 24 working days | 30 working days | Longer 25% |
| Dismissed Worker Visitor Visa | 24 working days | 30 working days | Longer 25% |
| Escort of Medical Patients Visitor Visa | 24 working days | 30 working days | Longer 25% |
| German Law Student Visitor Visa | 24 working days | 30 working days | Longer 25% |
| Medical Treatment Visitor Visa | 24 working days | 30 working days | Longer 25% |
| Occupational Registration Visitor Visa | 24 working days | 30 working days | Longer 25% |
| Pitcairn Islander Visitor Visa | 24 working days | 30 working days | Longer 25% |
| Private Yacht or Plane Visitor Visa | 24 working days | 30 working days | Longer 25% |
| Refugee Claimant Visitor Visa | 24 working days | 30 working days | Longer 25% |
| Short-term Entertainment Act Visitor Visa | 24 working days | 30 working days | Longer 25% |
| Sports Events Visitor Visa | 24 working days | 30 working days | Longer 25% |
| Super Yachts Visitor Visa | 24 working days | 30 working days | Longer 25% |
| Temporary Retirement Visitor Visa | 24 working days | 30 working days | Longer 25% |
| Visiting Media Visitor Visa | 24 working days | 30 working days | Longer 25% |
| China Skilled Workers Visa | 22 working days | 17 working days | Shorter 22.7% |
| China Special Work Visa | 22 working days | 17 working days | Shorter 22.7% |
| Domestic Staff of a Diplomat Work Visa | 22 working days | 17 working days | Shorter 22.7% |
| Global Impact Permanent Residence Visa | 22 working days | 17 working days | Shorter 22.7% |
| Indonesia Special Work Visa | 22 working days | 17 working days | Shorter 22.7% |
| Japanese Interpreters Work Visa | 22 working days | 17 working days | Shorter 22.7% |
| Partner of Military Work Visa | 22 working days | 17 working days | Shorter 22.7% |
| Philippines Special Work Visa | 22 working days | 17 working days | Shorter 22.7% |
| Primary Sector Trainees Work Visa | 22 working days | 17 working days | Shorter 22.7% |
| Religious Worker Work Visa | 22 working days | 17 working days | Shorter 22.7% |
| Republic of Korea Special Work Visa | 22 working days | 17 working days | Shorter 22.7% |
| South Island Contribution Work Visa | 22 working days | 17 working days | Shorter 22.7% |
| Student and Trainee Work Visa | 22 working days | 17 working days | Shorter 22.7% |
| Thai Chefs Work Visa | 22 working days | 17 working days | Shorter 22.7% |
| Vietnam Special Work Visa | 22 working days | 17 working days | Shorter 22.7% |
| Tour Escort Visitor Visa | 9 working days | 7 working days | Shorter 22.2% |
| Dependent Child Student Visa | 65 working days | 51 working days | Shorter 21.5% |
| Argentina Working Holiday Visa | 14 working days | 11 working days | Shorter 21.4% |
| Austria Working Holiday Visa | 14 working days | 11 working days | Shorter 21.4% |
| Belgium Working Holiday Visa | 14 working days | 11 working days | Shorter 21.4% |
| Brazil Working Holiday Visa | 14 working days | 11 working days | Shorter 21.4% |
| Canada Working Holiday Visa | 14 working days | 11 working days | Shorter 21.4% |
| Chile Working Holiday Visa | 14 working days | 11 working days | Shorter 21.4% |
| China Working Holiday Visa | 14 working days | 11 working days | Shorter 21.4% |
| Croatia Working Holiday Visa | 14 working days | 11 working days | Shorter 21.4% |
| Czech Working Holiday Visa | 14 working days | 11 working days | Shorter 21.4% |
| Denmark Working Holiday Visa | 14 working days | 11 working days | Shorter 21.4% |
| Estonia Working Holiday Visa | 14 working days | 11 working days | Shorter 21.4% |
| Finland Working Holiday Visa | 14 working days | 11 working days | Shorter 21.4% |
| France Working Holiday Visa | 14 working days | 11 working days | Shorter 21.4% |
| Germany Working Holiday Visa | 14 working days | 11 working days | Shorter 21.4% |
| Hong Kong SAR Working Holiday Visa | 14 working days | 11 working days | Shorter 21.4% |
| Hungary Working Holiday Visa | 14 working days | 11 working days | Shorter 21.4% |
| Ireland Working Holiday Visa | 14 working days | 11 working days | Shorter 21.4% |
| Israel Working Holiday Visa | 14 working days | 11 working days | Shorter 21.4% |
| Italy Working Holiday Visa | 14 working days | 11 working days | Shorter 21.4% |
| Japan Working Holiday Visa | 14 working days | 11 working days | Shorter 21.4% |
| Korea Working Holiday Visa | 14 working days | 11 working days | Shorter 21.4% |
| Latvia Working Holiday Visa | 14 working days | 11 working days | Shorter 21.4% |
| Lithuania Working Holiday Visa | 14 working days | 11 working days | Shorter 21.4% |
| Luxembourg Working Holiday Visa | 14 working days | 11 working days | Shorter 21.4% |
| Malaysia Working Holiday Visa | 14 working days | 11 working days | Shorter 21.4% |
| Malta Working Holiday Visa | 14 working days | 11 working days | Shorter 21.4% |
| Mexico Working Holiday Visa | 14 working days | 11 working days | Shorter 21.4% |
| Netherlands Working Holiday Visa | 14 working days | 11 working days | Shorter 21.4% |
| Norway Working Holiday Visa | 14 working days | 11 working days | Shorter 21.4% |
| Peru Working Holiday Visa | 14 working days | 11 working days | Shorter 21.4% |
| Philippines Working Holiday Visa | 14 working days | 11 working days | Shorter 21.4% |
| Poland Working Holiday Visa | 14 working days | 11 working days | Shorter 21.4% |
| Portugal Working Holiday Visa | 14 working days | 11 working days | Shorter 21.4% |
| Singapore Work Exchange Programme Visa | 14 working days | 11 working days | Shorter 21.4% |
| Slovakia Working Holiday Visa | 14 working days | 11 working days | Shorter 21.4% |
| Slovenia Working Holiday Visa | 14 working days | 11 working days | Shorter 21.4% |
| Spain Working Holiday Visa | 14 working days | 11 working days | Shorter 21.4% |
| Sweden Working Holiday Visa | 14 working days | 11 working days | Shorter 21.4% |
| Taiwan Working Holiday Visa | 14 working days | 11 working days | Shorter 21.4% |
| Thailand Working Holiday Visa | 14 working days | 11 working days | Shorter 21.4% |
| Turkey Working Holiday Visa | 14 working days | 11 working days | Shorter 21.4% |
| United Kingdom Working Holiday Visa | 14 working days | 11 working days | Shorter 21.4% |
| Uruguay Working Holiday Visa | 14 working days | 11 working days | Shorter 21.4% |
| USA Working Holiday Visa | 14 working days | 11 working days | Shorter 21.4% |
| Vietnam Working Holiday Visa | 14 working days | 11 working days | Shorter 21.4% |
| Entertainers Work Visa | 11 working days | 9 working days | Shorter 18.2% |
| Partner of a New Zealander Work Visa | 39 working days | 32 working days | Shorter 17.9% |
| Guardian Visitor Visa | 46 working days | 38 working days | Shorter 17.4% |
| Parent Retirement Resident Visa | 815 working days | 683 working days | Shorter 16.2% |
| Samoan Quota Resident Visa | 514 working days | 595 working days | Longer 15.8% |
| Religious Worker Resident Visa | 183 working days | 154 working days | Shorter 15.8% |
| Partner of a New Zealander Work Visa | 51 working days | 44 working days | Shorter 13.7% |
| Partner of a Student Work Visa | 15 working days | 17 working days | Longer 13.3% |
| Partner of an NZ Scholarship Student Work Visa | 15 working days | 17 working days | Longer 13.3% |
| Group Visitor Visa | 8 working days | 9 working days | Longer 12.5% |
| Partner of a Student Work Visa | 35 working days | 39 working days | Longer 11.4% |
| Partner of an NZ Scholarship Student Work Visa | 35 working days | 39 working days | Longer 11.4% |
| Business Visitor Visa | 9 working days | 8 working days | Shorter 11.1% |
| Entertainers Work Visa | 9 working days | 8 working days | Shorter 11.1% |
| Exchange Student Visa | 9 working days | 8 working days | Shorter 11.1% |
| Culturally Arranged Marriage Visitor Visa | 28 working days | 31 working days | Longer 10.7% |
| Fishing Crew Work Visa | 50 working days | 45 working days | Shorter 10% |
| Dependent Child Student Visa | 32 working days | 35 working days | Longer 9.4% |
| Specific Purpose Work Visa | 11 working days | 10 working days | Shorter 9.1% |
| English Language Student Visa | 23 working days | 21 working days | Shorter 8.7% |
| Fee Paying Student Visa | 23 working days | 21 working days | Shorter 8.7% |
| Pathway Student Visa | 23 working days | 21 working days | Shorter 8.7% |
| Parent Retirement Resident Visa | 427 working days | 392 working days | Shorter 8.2% |
| China Skilled Workers Visa | 49 working days | 45 working days | Shorter 8.2% |
| China Special Work Visa | 49 working days | 45 working days | Shorter 8.2% |
| Domestic Staff of a Diplomat Work Visa | 49 working days | 45 working days | Shorter 8.2% |
| Global Impact Permanent Residence Visa | 49 working days | 45 working days | Shorter 8.2% |
| Indonesia Special Work Visa | 49 working days | 45 working days | Shorter 8.2% |
| Japanese Interpreters Work Visa | 49 working days | 45 working days | Shorter 8.2% |
| Partner of Military Work Visa | 49 working days | 45 working days | Shorter 8.2% |
| Philippines Special Work Visa | 49 working days | 45 working days | Shorter 8.2% |
| Primary Sector Trainees Work Visa | 49 working days | 45 working days | Shorter 8.2% |
| Republic of Korea Special Work Visa | 49 working days | 45 working days | Shorter 8.2% |
| South Island Contribution Work Visa | 49 working days | 45 working days | Shorter 8.2% |
| Student and Trainee Work Visa | 49 working days | 45 working days | Shorter 8.2% |
| Thai Chefs Work Visa | 49 working days | 45 working days | Shorter 8.2% |
| Vietnam Special Work Visa | 49 working days | 45 working days | Shorter 8.2% |
| Partner of a Student Visitor Visa | 38 working days | 35 working days | Shorter 7.9% |
| Partner of a Worker Visitor Visa | 38 working days | 35 working days | Shorter 7.9% |
| Partner of Military Visitor Visa | 38 working days | 35 working days | Shorter 7.9% |
| English Language Student Visa | 53 working days | 49 working days | Shorter 7.5% |
| Fee Paying Student Visa | 53 working days | 49 working days | Shorter 7.5% |
| Pathway Student Visa | 53 working days | 49 working days | Shorter 7.5% |
| Partner of a New Zealander Visitor Visa | 32 working days | 30 working days | Shorter 6.3% |
| Work Exchange Scheme Work Visa | 16 working days | 15 working days | Shorter 6.3% |
| Specific Purpose Work Visa | 21 working days | 22 working days | Longer 4.8% |
| Samoan Quota Resident Visa | 490 working days | 512 working days | Longer 4.5% |
| Parent and Grandparent Visitor Visa | 53 working days | 51 working days | Shorter 3.8% |
| Dependent Child Resident Visa | 189 working days | 182 working days | Shorter 3.7% |
| Dependent Child Resident Visa | 162 working days | 156 working days | Shorter 3.7% |
| Second or Subsequent Resident Visa | 29 working days | 28 working days | Shorter 3.4% |
| Victims of Family Violence Resident Visa | 86 working days | 87 working days | Longer 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.