Essential Skills work visa - recent processing times

[fluffyunicorn]

Hey folks.
Would you like to share your recent experience with processing Essential Skills work visa application (mainly Auckland branches)

I've heard it takes bit longer especially during March/April.

Thank you for sharing

[Karen Phillips]

If your case is straightforward - 2 - 3 weeks in most offices.

[fluffyunicorn]

Any recent experience?

[Karen Phillips]

One thing that is making these take a little longer in NZ at present is when there is a need for a NZ Police Certificate. These are handled directly by INZ. They used to be back in days. They are apparently taking around 3 weeks at present. My most recent (last two months) work visa applications in Auckland have taken around 3 weeks.

[rynn625]

Essential skill visa lodged 13march.
Nz Police check requested 20march.

As of today, INZ is still awaiting the NZ police check result. My application unfortunately is still in queue.

[phantom]

One thing that is making these take a little longer in NZ at present is when there is a need for a NZ Police Certificate. These are handled directly by INZ. They used to be back in days. They are apparently taking around 3 weeks at present. My most recent (last two months) work visa applications in Auckland have taken around 3 weeks.

Hi Karen, can I ask when a NZ Police Certificate is needed?

[JandM]

For foreign applicants, it's the same as for any country - you have to have a certificate for your country of nationality, and any other country where you have lived for 12 months or more in the last ten years. http://www.immigration.govt.nz/migra...ertificate.htm

[rynn625]

Update~ as of today 16 May, INZ still awaiting NZ police check report.
INZ Manager of the branch told me that my application has now moved to 'priority' processing, will hear something as soon as the police check result is out.

[hannah nguyen]

One thing that is making these take a little longer in NZ at present is when there is a need for a NZ Police Certificate. These are handled directly by INZ. They used to be back in days. They are apparently taking around 3 weeks at present. My most recent (last two months) work visa applications in Auckland have taken around 3 weeks.

hi Karen, I have message you about my case, can you please have a look?
Thanks,