13 December 2024: In a recent announcement by Immigration New Zealand (INZ) and in response to regular questions on longer Visa processing time for partnership residence applications, INZ announced that it’s taking measures to keep wait times as short as possible.
About the Partner of a New Zealander Resident Visa & Key Data points
This visa allows eligible individuals with a partner who is a New Zealand citizen or resident to obtain permanent residence.
Current Processing time(80%) – 7 months & above
In 2023-24 – 12,904 applications are accepted for Partnership Resident Visa.
In 2022-23 – 7,432 applications are accepted for Partnership Resident Visa.
Rising Application Numbers:
Between mid-2023 and August 2024, applications for partnership residence visas steadily grew. Contributing factors include more people on partnership work visas and partners of 2021 Resident Visa holders now being able to apply. A surge in applications also took place in September 2024 before the introduction of higher fees and levies on 1 October.
As a result, processing times have generally increased to around seven months and could extend further without intervention.
Initiatives to Streamline Processing:
INZ is taking steps to manage the workload and reduce potential delays. These measures include:
- Adding additional staff to handle incoming applications
- Direct phone calls when additional information is required for a decision
INZ is committed to improving processing times and recognising how important timely decisions are for applicants.
Ensuring Complete Applications:
Applicants are encouraged and requested to provide all necessary documents and information right from the start. Doing so will enable INZ to make decisions more swiftly and efficiently.
Reference
About ICL Immigration
ICL Immigration, based in Auckland, is an established licensed immigration adviser with over 20 years of experience and a remarkable 97% approval rate. We’ve helped over 1,000 immigrants realise their New Zealand settlement dreams.
We specialise in a broad spectrum of visa services, including work, residency, student visas, and business-related services like employer accreditation, ensuring personalised solutions for individuals and businesses aiming to navigate New Zealand’s immigration landscape successfully.
