[victoria24]

Hi
Just wondering what a typical start to finish visa time is if you enter nz on a tourist visa, get a job and then start the process? am i right in thinking that you dont have to return to the uk to finalise it?
cheers
neil

[kanatakiwi]

You don't have to return to the UK, you can apply from within NZ. As to how long that takes, it depends what you apply for.... 1year work visa, 2 year work visa, Permanent residence, etc etc. I think they are saying that work visas and work permits are taking about 30 days right now, but if everything is in order and you have a job offer, it might go more quickly.
If you apply for a one year work visa or permit, you do not need police and medical checks so that is usally quicker than a 2 year visa. However with a one year visa you do not get medical coverage.

[cappuccino]

I was in the Wellington branch a few days ago and the lady in front asked how long it would take to process a work visa from tourist visa and the information assistant said they could do it same day! I hope this means they are not too busy at the moment and will process my ITA quickly.

[qslinger]

Hi Victoria and Kanatakiwi,

I applied for a work visa and supplied with police certificates and medical check and only got one year work visa.

Anyways, Victoria, if your employeer is registered with the immigration, then you can get your work visa in 5 days if your employeer files it. So you might want to talk to your employer about it.

Else, make sure you get all your documentation in order and you could have it in as little as 20 days and no you do not have to go back to UK for it. You can do it form right here.

[victoria24]

thanks guys, sounds positive. once you have a 1 yr work visa to get working can you immediately afterwards apply on the smc route as well?

[kanatakiwi]

Yes. Once you have the one year visa, you can apply for a longer one, but you will have to add the police check and medical.

I have a young friend from UK who is applying for a one year work permit right now. She did not need to supply either a police check or medical records. Not sure why you did Gslinger, did you apply for a longer visa and get told you only qualified for the one year one?

NZIS does say they are processing in 20 working days (thats a month). But I have heard of many being done far more quickly than that, especially with a job offer.