How long does the Pacific Access Category Resident Visa take to process?

As at 4 September 2026, Immigration New Zealand reports that 50% of recent Pacific Access Category Resident Visa applications were completed within 15 months and 80% within 16 months. Individual applications can take longer, particularly if INZ requests further information.

Why is my Pacific Access Category Resident Visa application taking longer than the published time?

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 adviser or lawyer to follow up.

Pacific Access Category Resident Visa processing time

As at 4 September 2026, 50% of recent Pacific Access Category Resident Visa applications were processed within 15 months and 80% within 16 months, per Immigration New Zealand's published figures.

15 months

50% processed within

16 months

80% processed within

Trend

Daily captures of INZ's published figures, in calendar days.

50% of applications 80% of applications

About this visa

If you are from Fiji, Kiribati, Tonga or Tuvalu you can register for this ballot to come to New Zealand. If we select and accept your registration, we invite you to apply for the Pacific Access Category Resident Visa.

Frequently asked questions

How long does the Pacific Access Category Resident Visa take to process?: As at 4 September 2026, Immigration New Zealand reports that 50% of recent Pacific Access Category Resident Visa applications were completed within 15 months and 80% within 16 months. Individual applications can take longer, particularly if INZ requests further information.
Why is my Pacific Access Category Resident Visa application taking longer than the published time?: 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 adviser or lawyer to follow up.

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Source: Immigration New Zealand's published processing-time figures. General information, not immigration advice.