Possibly panicking over nothing, but we had previously downloaded a chart showing processing times for each INZ office detailing processing times for applications.
We are heading over to NZ (all being well) in SMC category without job offers (yet). The chart for the London office says that applications are acknowledged within 14 days, and then a case officer is allocated within 3 weeks, then your application can take between 1 and 3 months from that point to process, assuming it is complete etc.
Then, last night, I came across this... "After you submit your application to the London branch your application will be allocated to an immigration officer. The allocation time for an SMC application submitted without a job offer varies depending on workflows. Your application will be placed in a managed queue and allocated to an immigration officer within four to six months." (http://www.immigration.govt.nz/branc...ssingtimes.htm)
So now I am very worried as that would suggest it's going to take way longer than we had planned for...
Am I misunderstanding something fundamental, or is the 4-6 months quoted referring to the total processing time from ITA to approval?
Obviously there will be peaks and troughs of applications and that is understandable. I just need to be clear if I am looking at an October 2013 departure from UK or Spring 2014 departure...
Any advice most welcome.
Liz F-C