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
You can submit an expression of interest (EOI) if you have a job or job offer from an accredited employer, and meet the requirements for one of the Skilled Migrant Category (SMC) pathways.
Frequently asked questions
As at 16 October 2026, Immigration New Zealand reports that 50% of recent Skilled Migrant Category Resident Visa applications were completed within 9 weeks and 80% within 3.5 months. 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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