You’ve applied for visas such as the Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV), Student Visa, or Permanent Resident Visa, either by yourself or through a registered agent, to pursue opportunities in New Zealand. It has been a while since you have been awaiting a decision from Immigration New Zealand. What can you do in the meantime?

 

Checking Your Visa Application Status

 

First, check the status of your visa application. Depending on the type of visa you applied for, immigration authorities will assess it based on your documents, circumstances, and processing timelines. If any information is missing, your application may take longer.

 

You can log into your online account to track progress and see if additional details are required. Immigration will contact you if further documents or actions are needed. Some applications may require medical exams, sponsor verification, or additional identity checks. Once processed, your application may be approved, declined, or withdrawn, with status updates available in your account.

 

Based on the visa you applied for, you will see different status updates as your application progresses through various stages. Initially, your application may show as ‘Submitted,’ indicating that it has been received and is in the queue for processing. It may then move to ‘Preparing application,’ where immigration officials verify your identity and check the documents you provided. If any information is missing, you may be asked to submit additional documents, such as travel details, sponsorship forms, or medical examinations.

 

Once all necessary documents are received, the status may change to ‘Under assessment,’ meaning your application is being reviewed to determine if it meets visa requirements. Some applications may take longer depending on complexity, supporting documents, or overall processing volume. If further details are needed, you will be notified accordingly.

 

Finally, your application will either be ‘Approved,’ granting you the visa and access to your eVisa, or ‘Declined,’ with reasons provided in your account. In some cases, applicants may request to withdraw their application, leading to a ‘Withdrawal requested’ or ‘Withdrawn’ status. Keeping track of these updates ensures you stay informed about the progress of your visa application.

 

Now that you’re aware of your application’s status, what’s the next step?

Decide to Wait or Take Action Next on Your Visa Application

Immigration New Zealand has standard processing timeframes for different visa types. You can check these estimated wait times to assess whether your application is delayed or if any action is required from your end. Ensuring that all necessary documents are included in your application can help speed up processing. If your application takes longer than expected, you can review possible reasons for the delay or explore options to escalate it if urgent.

 

For example, student visa processing times vary based on the type of education provider, as shown in the table below:

 

Education Provider Average Wait Time Most Completed Within
Te Pūkenga 2.5 weeks 6.5 weeks
Private Training Establishments (PTEs) 2 weeks 5 weeks
Universities 2 weeks 4 weeks
Schools 1.5 weeks 2.5 weeks

 

These timelines are based on working days and apply to common student visas, such as Fee Paying Student Visas, Pathway Student Visas, and Exchange Student Visas. If your application exceeds the standard processing times, you may check its status online or explore possible reasons for delays.

 

If everything is progressing well but you wish to expedite your application, What to do?

Escalating Your New Zealand Visa Application

You need Immigration New Zealand to fast-track your visa application? Before you proceed, you must check if you’re eligible for an escalation request. Immigration NZ only considers urgent requests under specific circumstances.

 

Step 1: Check If You Are Eligible

 

Escalation requests are only granted for compelling reasons, such as:

  • Personal or business urgency – If your situation has a significant impact on your life or work.
  • Humanitarian factors – Serious circumstances that require immediate attention.
  • National interest – If your case involves public interest or government priority.

Travel bookings alone do not qualify as a valid reason for escalation. Also, if your application was submitted less than 5 days ago or has already been assigned to an immigration officer, it cannot be escalated.

 

Step 2: Submit Your Escalation Request

 

If you meet the criteria, follow these steps to request an urgent allocation:

  1. Prepare your details – Gather the following:
    • Full name
    • Application number
    • Passport number
    • Date of birth
    • INZ client number (if available)
    • Explanation of why your case is urgent (include supporting documents)
  2. Send your request – Email visaescalations@mbie.govt.nz with the above details and supporting evidence.
  3. Wait for assessment – Immigration NZ will evaluate your request based on urgency and supporting documents.
  4. Receive a response – You will be notified within 2 to 5 working days whether your request has been accepted or declined.
  5. Application prioritization – If approved, your visa will be assigned to an officer for urgent processing. However, approval of escalation does not guarantee approval of your visa.

Example: Student Visa Escalation

If you are applying for a student visa, your escalation request is assessed based on:

  • When you submitted your application (must be at least 6 weeks before your intended travel date).
  • Your course start date.
  • Any exceptional personal, business, or humanitarian circumstances.

If you applied through a university or Te Pūkenga, contact your education provider before requesting escalation.

If you believe your case qualifies, follow the outlined steps to escalate your visa application. Always ensure your request is well-supported to increase the chances of approval.

What Happens Next?

After submitting your escalation request, the visa escalation team will review it and notify you by email within 2 to 5 working days about whether it has been accepted or declined. Only the main applicant or their legal representative/licensed immigration adviser can submit and track this request.

 

If your request is approved, the email will outline when your application is expected to be assessed. However, an approved escalation does not mean your visa will be granted,it simply prioritizes your application for review. The standard immigration assessment process will still apply before a final decision is made.

 

Check if you can make an escalation request to get your application urgently assigned to an immigration officer.

 

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