Indicative process timelines
These timelines show the published order of the steps in a New Zealand immigration process. They are a general guide to sequence, not a schedule for your own application. We do not publish processing-time estimates here: Immigration New Zealand publishes current processing times on its own website, and they change over time. Confirm current timing at immigration.govt.nz.
Skilled / residence pathway: process worksheet
- Step 1: Read the published criteria for the categoryPreparation: self-paced
- Step 2: Total your own attributes with the self-check toolPreparation: self-paced
- Step 3: Gather the document categories on the published checklistPreparation: self-paced
- Step 4: Arrange any qualification or occupational recognition (if required)Varies: depends on the assessing body
- Step 5: Obtain health and character documents (if required)Varies: depends on providers and your countries of residence
- Step 6: Complete and submit the application to the published processA defined task once your evidence is ready
- Step 7: Immigration New Zealand assesses the applicationSee the INZ published processing times
- Step 8: Receive the decisionSee the INZ published processing times
Employer-assisted work visa: process worksheet
- Step 1: Employer accreditation (employer step)Employer-led: before the visa application
- Step 2: Job check (employer step)Employer-led: before the visa application
- Step 3: Count the published gates with the self-check toolPreparation: self-paced
- Step 4: Gather the applicant documentsPreparation: self-paced
- Step 5: Submit the visa applicationA defined task once your evidence is ready
- Step 6: Receive the decisionSee the INZ published processing times