Your New Zealand visa application: This is how you prevent delays

Is this you – you’re eager to lodge your New Zealand visa application, because you want to get to New Zealand as quickly as possible?

Yes, it is?

Then let’s pause and remind you of the saying ‘haste makes waste’ – when you try to do things too quickly, sometimes you get them wrong or have to do them all over again.

Unfortunately it’s all too easy to ‘make waste’ when doing a visa application and the result often is unnecessary delays.

The best strategy is to take the necessary time and precautions to submit a complete and correct application.

Here’s our tips on how to do this:

1. Plan ahead

You have to start with an assessment to find out if you’re eligible to live in New Zealand. Book one as soon as possible if you haven’t done that yet.

The assessment will show which visa you stand to qualify for, which in turn will highlight the best way forward.

Knowing the emigration route available to you, means knowing which documentation you’ll need in future, whether or not you’ll have to do an English test, if you have to register with a professional body, etc. Essentially, all the parts of your application that you’ll have to submit.

2. Check that you’ve included all the required documentation

The one thing most applicants are guilty of, is neglecting to submit all the necessary documents. Our advisers often have to request documents a second time because it wasn’t included in the original pack.

The best thing to do is to have a checklist, to tick off documents as you go. Mark up also if documents should be photocopies, originals or certified copies.

If you’re working with an adviser, you should get a list of all required documentation. Your adviser should also check all documents once received, to ensure that you’ve sent them everything.

You may of course choose to do your New Zealand visa application on your own, but be aware that the experience might be more stressful, especially if you’re someone who gets stressed easily.

3. Check your passport

Your passport must be valid for at least 3 months after your visa expires and have enough free pages for any required visa labels.

When our clients have a passports valid for only a couple of months, our advice is always to apply for a passport before starting any visa applications.

When you have to apply for a new passport in the middle of an application, it could lead to delays.

4. Apply for your visa in time

Visa application take time to be decided and there’s nothing you, or us, can do once an application is in the hands of Immigration New Zealand.

It is thus important to allow sufficient time for your application when making the rest of your plans.

Need professional help with your New Zealand visa application?

Like we said, you can do your visa application on your own, but if you suspect that it would be a more pleasant experience with a professional by your side, you are more than welcome to contact us.

You can speak to an adviser by booking a consultation call..

We’ll start with an assessment, the important first step, and then we’ll explain the best way forward – so that you can plan ahead and apply for your visa in time.