Checking your visa application status

You can check your application status by logging in to Immigration Online using your RealMe® account. On the 'My Visas' tab go to the 'Submitted applications' section and check the 'Status' column. You can also find out more detail on the progress of your application by selecting the 'view application progress' link.

For more information on application statuses, check the following:

Submitted

We have received your application and it will start moving through our processing system.

Preparing application

Your application has been entered into our system and we are confirming the details you have supplied.

We will confirm your identity and check the documents you have submitted. We may contact you to ask for other documents or information. The status in your online account will be updated to tell you what we need.

The status will still show until we have received the documents, checked them and entered them into the system. This can take some time, so do not worry if your status does not update after you submit your documents.

Waiting on you to provide travel documentation

This usually means we need you to supply travel documentation to support your application.

We have a temporary measure in place where we are only requesting temporary visa applicants provide high-quality scans of their passport, and not to send their physical passport. You will have received a letter advising you of this. That status will still read ‘Waiting on you to provide travel documentation’, even if no physical passport was requested.

Waiting on your supporting partner

This means we need your supporting partner to supply their completed sponsorship form.

Waiting on your sponsor

This means we need your sponsor to supply their completed sponsorship form.

Why some applications are processed faster than others

Gathering information

Your application details and documentation are almost ready for assessment. We will share your application with other agencies and our health team to confirm your details, where required. This is when we may need any medical information, so we may contact you to ask for a medical examination.

Waiting on you to provide medicals

This means we need you to complete a medical examination.

This status will still show until we have received the information, checked it and confirmed it has been entered into the system. This can take some time, so do not worry if your status does not update after you submit your documents.

Why some applications are processed faster than others

Under assessment

Your application and all your documents are ready to be assessed, so we can make a decision whether to approve a visa or not.

Your application will be assessed, but this might not occur immediately. The time it takes to assess applications depends on how many other applications we have received and are assessing.

During this stage, we may contact you if we need any further information.

Further information required

This means we need more information from you before we can make a decision on your application. There will be a letter in your dashboard explaining what we need.

This status will still show until we receive a response and we confirm that no further information is needed. This can take some time, so do not worry if your status does not update after you submit your documents.

Why some applications are processed faster than others

Withdrawal requested

You have asked to withdraw your application. Your request is waiting for review before it can be completed.

Withdrawn

Your application has been withdrawn. You will receive confirmation of this through your Immigration Online account.

Approved

Your application has been approved. You will receive your eVisa and information related to your new visa will be added to your Immigration Online account.

Declined

Your application has been declined. Your Immigration Online account will have details on why your application has been declined.

Log in using your RealMe® account. If your application's status is 'Submitted' it is ready to be processed. If we need more information, we email you to let you know that we have attached a letter to your online account.

We aim to process applications as soon as possible. At very busy times it may take longer for us to make a decision about your application.

Some visitors and transit passengers need an NZeTA (New Zealand Electronic Travel Authority) before they travel to New Zealand. If you have requested an NZeTA you can check its status.

Check your NZeTA status

After you have logged in to your account, select 'My application' from the right-hand side of the page. Once you've selected this, the status of your application displays.

If your application shows:

• Pending — this means we have received it and it is ready to be processed
• Approved — this means that your application was successful.

After you have logged in to your account, select 'My application' from the right-hand side of the page. Once you've selected this, the status of your application displays.

Check first to see how long it normally takes to process the type of visa you applied for.

Fees, decisions times & where to apply

If your application is taking longer to process than is usual for that type of visa, you can contact us.

Get in touch with your immigration adviser to find out the status of your application. We will let them know if we need any more information to support your application.

If the Visa Application Centre (VAC) is outside New Zealand they will be unable to provide an update on your application status.