Apply visa
Last Update: 14-08-2024
Starting your journey to New Zealand means first understanding the basics, especially the New Zealand visa processing time. Whether you're looking for a New Zealand visitor visa to enjoy an amazing vacation, a business visa for important meetings, or a work visa to start a new job in New Zealand, knowing how long your visa application will take is really important.
If you need help on how to apply or to visit New Zealand, this guide will make it simple. New Zealand is a place full of great experiences, and with the right planning, you can make sure your entry into the country is easy and hassle-free.
From understanding visa requirements to tracking your visa status, we’ve got everything you need to make your trip to New Zealand smooth and straightforward on this page.
New Zealand visa processing times for Indians generally range from around 2 weeks to a few months, depending on the type of visa you're applying for.
Typically, a New Zealand tourist visa takes about 2 weeks, while more complex visas, such as work and resident visas, can take several months to process.
This comprehensive guide breaks down the processing times for each visa category, ensuring you're well-prepared and can plan your application process with confidence for a seamless experience in New Zealand.
The New Zealand visit visa processing time can take up to 2 weeks. A New Zealand Visitor Visa lets you travel to New Zealand to go on vacation, visit friends or family, or study for up to 3 months. You can stay for up to 6 months with a multiple-entry visa or 9 months with a single-entry visa. You can’t work, but you can study for a short time with a visitor visa. You can also include your partner and kids in your visa application.
| Visa Type | Purpose of Visa | Processing Time |
New Zealand Visitor Visa | Lets you travel to New Zealand to go on vacation, visit friends or family, or study for up to 3 months. | 2 weeks |
The New Zealand business visa processing time can take up to 2 weeks. A New Zealand Business Visa allows you to visit for business activities like meetings and conferences for up to 3 months in one year. It does not permit work or running a business in New Zealand.
| Visa Type | Purpose of Visa | Processing Time |
New Zealand Business Visa | Attend meetings and conferences for up to 3 months in one year. | 2 weeks |
A New Zealand work visa processing time can take up to 3 weeks to a few months depending on the type of work visa you’re applying for.
A New Zealand Work Visa lets you work in New Zealand for a specific job or employer, typically for up to three years. In order to apply for a New Zealand work visa you need to have a job offer from a New Zealand employer and may include conditions like the type of work and location. There are various types of work visas based on job skills, duration, and other criteria.
| Visa Type | Purpose of Visa | Processing Time |
New Zealand Work Visa | Skilled migrant category resident visa | 4 months |
Post study work visa | 6 weeks | |
Work to residence visa | 3 months | |
Partner of a student work visa | 9 weeks | |
Partner of New Zealander work visa | 11 weeks | |
Student and Trainee work visa | 7 weeks | |
Specific purpose work visa | 3 weeks |
A New Zealand study visa processing time can take up to 2 to 6 weeks depending on the type of study visa you’re applying for. A New Zealand student visa allows Indian nationals to study full-time in New Zealand. There are various types of student visas depending on the type and duration of study.
| Visa Type | Purpose of Visa | Processing Time |
New Zealand Study Visa | Fee paying student visa | 6 weeks |
Exchange student visa | 2 weeks | |
Foreign government supported student visa | 4 weeks | |
Pathway student visa | 6 weeks |
The processing time of a New Zealand family visa ranges from a few weeks to 27 months depending on the types of visa you’re applying for. New Zealand family visas allow people to bring or join family members in New Zealand.
New Zealand family visas cover partners, dependent children, and parents, providing options for residency, work, or temporary visits. Eligibility varies based on the relationship and situation, and some visas require sponsorship from a New Zealand citizen or resident. These visas are designed to help families stay together while living in or visiting New Zealand.
| Visa Type | Purpose of Visa | Processing Time |
New Zealand Family Visa | Partner of a New Zealander resident visa | 8 months |
Child of a worker visitor visa | 9 weeks | |
Parent retirement resident visa | 27 months | |
Guardian of a student visitor visa | 7 weeks | |
Parent resident visa | 8 months | |
Dependent child resident visa | 9 months |
A New Zealand resident visa processing time ranges from 1 week to 8 months.
| New Zealand Resident Visa | Straight to residence visa | 4 months |
Permanent resident visa | 1 week | |
Work to residence visa | 3 months | |
Parent resident visa | 8 months |
A New Zealand transit visa takes around 2 weeks to be processed. Indian citizens passing through New Zealand need to get a transit visa. This visa allows them to stay in New Zealand for up to 24 hours while waiting for their next flight.
Note:
Indians travelling to Australia can transit through New Zealand without needing a transit visa.
To prevent delays in your New Zealand visa application, you can follow these steps:
By following these steps, you can help ensure a smoother visa application process.
When planning to travel to New Zealand, understanding the visa processing time is crucial. If you are applying for a New Zealand visitor visa, New Zealand work visa, or a New Zealand family visa, knowing how much time your visa application might take helps in avoiding any last-minute surprises.
To enter New Zealand, you must ensure that you have submitted all the required documents like proof of accommodation, proof of funds correctly. If you have any concerns, you can track New Zealand visa status easily through the government portal.
The processing time for a New Zealand visa for Indians varies depending on the type of visa. A New Zealand visitor visa typically takes around 2 weeks, while more complex visas, such as work or resident visas, can take several months to process.
The processing time for a New Zealand student visa for Indian nationals can range from 2 to 6 weeks, depending on the type of study visa you are applying for.
A New Zealand business visa generally takes around 2 weeks to process, allowing Indian nationals to visit New Zealand for business purposes, such as attending meetings and conferences.
The processing time for a New Zealand work visa can take 3 weeks to several months, depending on the category you have applied for. For example, a Skilled Migrant Category Resident Visa may take up to 4 months, while a Specific Purpose Work Visa might be processed within 3 weeks.
The processing time for a New Zealand family visa can range from a few weeks to 27 months, depending on the type of family visa. For instance, a Partner of a New Zealander Resident Visa may take up to 8 months, while a Parent Retirement Resident Visa could take up to 27 months.
Your New Zealand visa can be delayed due to several reasons, including the type of visa, completeness of the application, volume of applications at the time of submission, and whether additional information or documents are requested by Immigration New Zealand.
While there is no official process to expedite a New Zealand visa, submitting a complete and accurate application well in advance of your intended travel date can help prevent delays. It's also important to respond promptly to any requests for additional information from Immigration New Zealand.
If your New Zealand visa application is taking longer than expected, you can check its status online using the RealMe account or the Immigration New Zealand portal. If there are significant delays, you may consider contacting Immigration New Zealand for further assistance.
