A guide to visa processing times
Our visa processing times guide gives you an indication of how long your visa application may take to process. The estimated timeframe is based on The Department of Home Affairs guide and our own experience with how long it has taken to process recent applications. Our guide below does not guarantee your application will be finalised within this timeframe.
Visa type | Estimated time to process visa |
100 – Partner Visa (Migrant) | 8 – 27 months |
143 – Contributory Parent Visa | 5 – 6 years |
155 – Resident Return Visa (2 out of 5 years met) | 1 – 3 days |
155 – Resident Return Visa (beneficial ties) | 6 – 8 months |
186 – Employer Nomination Scheme (Direct Entry Pathway) | 4 – 14 months |
186 – Employer Nomination Scheme (Agreement Pathway)) | 1 – 6 months |
186 – Employer Nomination Scheme (Transition Pathway) | 6 – 28 months |
187 – Regional Sponsored Migration Scheme (Direct Entry Pathway) | 29 – 57 months |
187 – Regional Sponsored Migration Scheme (Transition Pathway) | 13 – 28 months |
188 – Business Innovation & Investment Visa (Provisional) | 13 – 25 months |
189 – Skilled Independent Visa | 1 – 45 months |
189 – Skilled Independent Visa (New Zealand stream) | 20 – 25 months |
190 – Skilled Nominated Visa | 3 -11 months |
300 – Prospective Marriage Visa | 8 – 37 months |
309 – Partner Visa (Provisional) | 8 – 27 months |
400 – Temporary Work (Short Stay Specialist) Visa | 3 – 37 days |
400 – Temporary Work (Short Stay Specialist) Visa (Highly Specialised Work) | 4-20 days |
461 – New Zealand Citizen Family Relationship Visa | 11 – 36 months |
482 – Temporary Skill Shortage Visa (short-term) | 1 – 11 months |
482 – Temporary Skill Shortage Visa (medium-term) | 1 – 6 months |
482 – Temporary Skill Shortage Visa (labour agreement) | 1 – 6 months |
485 – Temporary Graduate Visa (Graduate work) | 5 – 7 months |
485 – Temporary Graduate Visa (Post-study work) | 5 – 11 months |
489 – Skilled Regional Visa (Provisional) | 28 – 37 months |
500 – Student Visa | 3 – 12 weeks |
600 – Visitor Visa | 2 – 8 weeks |
801 – Partner Visa (Permanent) | 7 – 23 months |
864 – Contributory Aged Parent visa (Temporary) | 5 – 6 years |
866 – Protection Visa | Not disclosed |
887 – Skilled Regional Visa | 23 – 24 months |
888 – Business Innovation & Investment visa (Permanent) | 22 – 29 months |