General information, not immigration advice. The figures are Immigration New Zealand's own percentiles for recently decided applications; individual applications can take longer.
About this visa
If you have been accepted into an approved student exchange scheme and are outside New Zealand, you can apply for this visa to study full-time in New Zealand.
Frequently asked questions
As at 16 October 2026, Immigration New Zealand reports that 50% of recent Exchange Student Visa applications were completed within 3 days and 80% within 1 weeks. Individual applications can take longer, particularly if INZ requests further information.
The published figures are percentiles of recently decided applications, not a promise. Applications that are incomplete, need verification, or raise health, character or genuineness questions routinely exceed them. If your application is far outside the 80% figure, you can contact INZ or engage a licensed immigration adviser or immigration lawyer to follow up.
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Sources
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