New Zealand enters peak visa processing window

Immigration New Zealand (INZ) is circulating an advisory to let students and stakeholders know that the country "is in a peak processing period for student visa applications."

The guidance continues, "During peak periods, applications may take longer to process. It is important anyone wanting to come to New Zealand to study in the second half of the 2025 academic year does not leave it too late to submit their visa application.

Students with a study start date in July or August should apply now."

The mid-year processing peak for New Zealand typically occurs between May and August each year, and INZ generally advises that students should apply at least three months before their intended travel date.

Additional detail on wait lists for visas processing is available here. Please note, however, that that reflects wait times for visas processed in the past four weeks, and does not indicate the wait times that should be anticipated during peak processing windows.

That heavier visa processing period takes on more significance given the growing popularity of New Zealand as a study destination. At the end of 2024, Tertiary Education and Skills Minister Penny Simmonds announced that foreign enrolment was up by 6% over 2023 levels.

“With 73,535 enrolments between January to August 2024, more enrolments have been achieved in just two terms this year than we saw in all of last year,” said the Minister. "Universities and schools are driving growth, with universities enrolling 31,345 international students, a 14% increase, and schools rising by 33% to 16,815 students, including 69% surge in primary school enrolments. Funded private training establishments also grew by 80% on last year. Diversity in source markets strengthens our education sector. While China and India lead, enrolments have grown from the US, Thailand, Germany, Sri Lanka, and the Philippines, each now contribute 3% of international students."

For additional background, please see:

• "New Zealand: International student enrolments up 67% in 2023 amid growing public support"
• "New Zealand resource aims to connect prospective international students with qualified agents"