The Online Process
The enhanced Immigration Online system provides new functionality that enables more effective ways of working. It streamlines repetitive administrative tasks during the visa application process which allows our people to focus on tasks requiring judgement.
Allocation is no longer the first step as immigration officers are no longer allocated an entire application, several may assess an application and processing steps commence as soon as an application is received.
The system may fully automate the processing of a visa if immigration instructions are met or trigger manual tasks for assessment.
The steps below outline the process before a 2021 Resident Visa application is assessed by an Immigration Officer;
- Application is received into the enhanced Immigration Online system
- Required supporting documents are requested for uploading from the applicant
- Identity checks completed with copies of receipts generated and uploaded to the applicant’s Immigration Online account
- NZ Police checks and/or national security checks completed
- Immigration Health System checks completed. Additional health information is requested, if needed
- Assessment by an Immigration Officer. If no further information is requested, a decision on the application is made.
Processing steps may differ for other visa types on enhanced Immigration Online.
You or your representative can log into the Immigration Online dashboard to monitor the progress of applications and any request for further information will come through the dashboard.
Application questions
The status of an application can now be found in the Immigration Online dashboard at any time. If you have a question about your application, please do not use the Additional Documents field of the Immigration Online system, as these will not be answered. Please contact your representative, or visit the INZ website, or contact the Immigration Contact Centre.
Secondary applicant update
Some applicants indicated that they intended to include a secondary applicant within their Phase 2, 2021 Resident Visa application, but did not. They will be contacted by their represenativerepr INZ, as part of the application process, to provide further information before processing continues.
Immigration Online planned outage
From 8am Saturday 21 May to 10am Monday 23 May the enhanced Immigration Online system (currently used for Visitor Visa and Phase 2 of the 2021 Resident Visa) will be unavailable. This means you will not be able to submit or continue working on applications during this time.
These updates are to prepare to open applications for employer accreditation to hire workers on the Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV) scheme.
Applications for employer accreditation will open at 10am on Monday 23 May.
Applications for the new AEWV visa open on 4 July 2022.
