New Zealand Updates Visa Wait Times for NZeTA, Work, Student, and Resident Visas

If you are planning a trip to New Zealand or applying to study, work, or settle there, Immigration New Zealand has just published the latest visa processing times as of Thursday, September 11, 2025. These updated figures give travellers and migrants a clearer picture of how long their applications are likely to take.

This article explains each type of visa, how wait times are calculated, and what you can realistically expect before you pack your bags.

How Immigration New Zealand Calculates Visa Wait Times

Visa wait times or processing times aren’t random. Immigration New Zealand calculated the wait times with two benchmarks:

• Average wait time: how long it took for 50% of applications to be processed.
• Most completed within: the time it took for 80% of applications to be processed.

Immigration New Zealand measures both figures in working days, excluding weekends and public holidays.

Visitor Visa and NZeTA

If you’re heading to New Zealand for a holiday, short business trip, or to visit friends and family, you’ll likely need either an NZeTA or a visitor visa. Processing times vary, especially for partners and business visitors, so planning ahead makes things smoother.

Current wait times:

Visa type	Average wait time	Most completed within
NZeTA	24 hours	24 hours
Visitor Visa	1 week	2 weeks
Partner of a New Zealander Visitor Visa	3.5 weeks	8 weeks
Business Visitor Visa	3 days	1 week

Work Visas

Work visas cover a wide range of situations, from securing a job with an accredited employer to post-study opportunities. Even working holidaymakers have their own category. Each comes with different processing speeds, and knowing them helps avoid surprises.

Current wait times:

Visa type	Average wait time	Most completed within
AEWV	2 weeks	5 weeks
Partner of a Worker Work Visa	3 weeks	5 weeks
Post-Study Work Visa	3 weeks	4 weeks
Working Holiday Visa	2 days	2 weeks

Employer Accreditation and Job Checks

Before employers can hire overseas workers, they need official accreditation and job checks to be approved. This step ensures the role genuinely needs migrant workers. The good news is that these applications are usually processed faster than personal visa applications.

Current wait times:

Visa/product type	Average wait time	Most completed within
Employer accreditation for AEWV	2 days	2 weeks
Accreditation renewals	3 days	2.5 weeks
Job checks (all roles)	3 days	2 weeks
Job checks (Green List roles)	2 days	1 week

Student Visas

Whether you’re enrolling in a school, a private training provider, or one of New Zealand’s universities, you’ll need a student visa. Since August 2025, all international student visa applications have been processed through New Zealand’s updated online system.

Processing times vary by the type of institution.

Current wait times:

Education provider	Average wait time	Most completed within
Te Pūkenga	2.5 weeks	5.5 weeks
Private Training Establishments	3 weeks	6 weeks
Schools	2 weeks	3.5 weeks
Universities	2.5 weeks	4.5 weeks

Resident Visas

Residency is the big step for anyone looking to settle in New Zealand long-term. Options range from skilled migrants to family categories. These applications take the longest, so it’s important to know the timeline before committing to a move.

Current wait times:

Visa type	Average wait time	Most completed within
Parent Resident Visa	13 months	18 months
Skilled Migrant Category Resident Visa	9 weeks	3 months
Work to Residence Visa	8 weeks	10.5 weeks
Straight to Residence Visa	9 weeks	3.5 months
Permanent Resident Visa	4 days	2 weeks
Partner of a New Zealander Resident Visa	5 months	8 months

Tips for Faster Visa Processing

If you want your visa application to move faster, here are some simple but important tips to follow when applying for any New Zealand visa.

• Apply early: Avoid peak travel season delays by submitting applications months ahead.
• Submit complete documents: Missing paperwork is the most common reason for delays.
• Use Immigration Online: The newer system streamlines applications and reduces backlogs.
• Check eligibility before applying: Applying for the wrong category often results in wasted time and processing delays.

Final Thoughts

If New Zealand is in your plans, these wait times can give you a clear picture of what to expect. Short-term visas, like NZeTA and working holiday approvals, are processed quickly. However, resident visas can take months or even more than a year. Planning ahead is the best way to prevent last-minute stress.