I am just about to submit a residency application (family category) for my English wife to the Auckland office (we are currently living in NZ). When I originally asked NZ immigration about this, they said it would take 2 to 3 months to process. However, I have just phoned them, and they are now saying it will take 9 to 12 months! :scared: This would be a problem, because she was wanting to return to the UK for her sister's wedding in 9 months.

Has anyone had recent experience with how long this process takes?

Many thanks,
Andrew

Can't say about family category but we are waiting for our residency visas on the general skills with job offer from within NZ. We are now in week 15 of the wait, submitted to Christchurch office they sent it to Sydney.

Paula

Cant say about family category. I came to NZ on a Work Visa (which took two weeks) and subsequently submitted a PR application in Auckland in March......still waiting....

It wouldn't be a problem for you wife to go back to the UK for the wedding/ to live as the PR app will only be assessed on data you gave NZIS when the app was lodged. You can all go and live in Timbucto if youi feel like it - just leave contact details with NZIS.

My wife just got hers here in London in 2 months. That might be an option, although NZIS are talking about introducing something called Global Prioritisation which may mean it all averages out.

Did you specify it was the family category you were using? The 9-12 months sounds more like a general skills application where there is much more info to verify.

All the best..

That's what i thought too, it sounds more like general skills timeframes. It is a pretty straight forward family category application, with me sponsoring my wife, so i can't see it taking very long. I have found with phoning NZIS I get a slightly different story depending on who I speak to. Oh well, all we can do is send it in and cross our fingers! Its just a bit of a worry sending off my wifes passport, having no idea when we will get it back.

If you submit the application in person you can get the passport back. This is what we did, in case we wanted to do an overseas trip.

Regards

No need to send the passports until they are requested for visa sticker - certified copy will do for the app.