New Zealand Stream (closed)
Current Home Affairs data shows 50% of recently decided applications were finalised within 53 Months, while 90% were finalised within 61 Months.
Clear data for a calmer wait
Subclass 189 processing time, without the guesswork.
Use the stream and lodgement date shown in your application to compare your wait with current Home Affairs checkpoints.
Official benchmarksHome Affairs source
No account neededStart immediately
Current figuresLatest published data
Choose your visa subclass
Your selected visa
Subclass 189
Skilled Independent Visa
For invited skilled workers and eligible Hong Kong or British National (Overseas) passport holders; it also covers on-hand New Zealand stream applications lodged before that stream closed.
Eligibility, costs and application stepsChoose your pathway
Enter your lodgement date
See today's timeline
Build your waiting timeline
Two details are enough to compare your wait with current Home Affairs benchmarks.
Published benchmarks
Current Processing Times
Compare how long 50% and 90% of recently decided applications took in each pathway.
What do 50% and 90% processed mean?Current data
New Zealand Stream (closed)
For eligible New Zealand citizens with an application lodged before this stream closed to new applications on 1 July 2023.
53Months
50% processed
61Months
90% processed
Last updated: 24 Aug 2026
Current data
Points Tested Stream
For invited skilled workers who meet the points test requirement.
7Months
50% processed
9Months
90% processed
Last updated: 24 Aug 2026
Stream-specific guide
Subclass 189 processing time after visa lodgement
The Skilled Independent visa timeline shown here applies to the relevant Subclass 189 stream after the visa application is lodged. Skills assessment, English testing, an expression of interest and the wait for an invitation happen before this processing period.
Points Tested Stream
Current Home Affairs data shows 50% of recently decided applications were finalised within 7 Months, while 90% were finalised within 9 Months.
Invitation time is not visa processing time
The calculator estimates a decision window from the visa lodgement date. It does not add the earlier time spent preparing an EOI, waiting for an invitation or obtaining supporting assessments.
Which date should I enter?
Enter the Subclass 189 application lodgement date recorded in ImmiAccount.
50% processed does not mean your application is half complete
These percentages describe recently decided applications, not progress inside one individual case.