INZ's processing is often the shortest part. What takes time is everything around it: finding a job with an accredited employer, getting police certificates and qualifications assessed, registration for some professions, and the qualifying periods before residence.
Processing times from INZ, read 29 October 2026.
Typical timelines
With a job offer (AEWV, then residence)
| Step | Typical time |
|---|---|
| Employer accreditation (if not already) | Most within 1 week |
| Job check | Most within 1.5 weeks |
| Your documents: police certificates, medicals, skills evidence | 2 to 8 weeks (some countries longer) |
| AEWV decision | Average 2 weeks; most within 5 weeks |
| Residence, Green List Tier 1 (Straight to Residence) | Apply any time; most decided within 3.5 months |
| Residence, Green List Tier 2 (Work to Residence) | After 24 months' work; most decided within 3 months |
| Residence, Skilled Migrant Category | When you meet a pathway (sometimes straight away, often after 1 to 3 years' NZ work); most decided within 4 months |
As the partner of a New Zealander
| Step | Typical time |
|---|---|
| Partner work visa | A few weeks |
| Living together 12 months | Can include time overseas |
| Partner resident visa | Average 6 months; most within 7 months |
After residence
| Step | When |
|---|---|
| Permanent resident visa | After 2 years on a resident visa; most decided within 2 weeks |
| Citizenship | After 5 years as a resident, with 240 days in New Zealand in each year and 1,350 in total |
Where the time really goes
- Finding a job with an accredited employer, often the longest step.
- Police certificates: a few days for some countries, months for others. See police certificates.
- Qualification assessment: an NZQA assessment can take months. See NZQA assessment.
- Professional registration for doctors, nurses, teachers and engineers.
- Peak season: INZ is busiest from November to March.
Where an adviser helps: documents expire. Police certificates and medicals must be under 6 months (medicals under 3 for some steps) when you apply, so ordering them too early can mean paying twice. A licensed adviser can sequence your documents, job check and application so nothing lapses before you submit.
Planning tips
- Start slow documents first: police certificates from difficult countries, NZQA, registration.
- Don't resign or sell up until your visa is granted.
- Keep your current visa valid; apply at least 1 month before it expires.
- Students: apply at least 3 months before your course starts.
- Watch age limits: skilled residence needs you to be 55 or younger when you apply.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to move to New Zealand?
With a job offer and documents ready, a work visa can take a few weeks. Residence can come straight away (Green List Tier 1) or after 2 or more years.
How long until I can get permanent residence?
2 years after your resident visa, if you show commitment to New Zealand.
How long until I can become a citizen?
At least 5 years as a resident.
What's the slowest part of moving to New Zealand?
Usually finding a job, then documents like police certificates, qualification assessments and registration.
Can I speed up my visa?
Only by applying complete and early, or with an escalation request for a compelling reason. See processing times.
Getting help
If your route is clear, a timeline is mostly about ordering documents in the right sequence. A licensed immigration adviser can plan it with you and spot steps that could delay you. If an application is declined or stuck, talk to an adviser or immigration lawyer.
Tell us your situation and we'll introduce you to a licensed adviser or immigration lawyer. It's free to ask.
Sources: Immigration New Zealand, "How long it takes to process an application" and its wait time pages, "Permanent Resident Visa", and Department of Internal Affairs citizenship requirements; read 28–29 October 2026.