New Zealand Stream (closed)
Current Home Affairs data shows 50% of recently decided applications were finalised within 54 Months, while 90% were finalised within 61 Months.
Subclass 189 visa processing time
Use the stream and lodgement date shown in your application to compare your wait with current Home Affairs checkpoints.
- Official benchmarks
- No account needed
- Current figures
Choose your visa subclass
How long does a Subclass 189 visa take?
For Points Tested Stream, Home Affairs lists 50% processed in 61 Days and 90% in 8 Months. These figures describe recently decided applications, not a guaranteed deadline.
Source published: · Last verified:
| Stream | 50% processed | 90% processed |
|---|---|---|
| Points Tested Stream | 61 Days | 8 Months |
| New Zealand Stream (closed) · Closed to new applications | 54 Months | 61 Months |
Processing-time historyVerify with Home AffairsWhat do 50% and 90% processed mean?
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 stepsBuild 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?New Zealand Stream (closed)
For eligible New Zealand citizens with an application lodged before this stream closed to new applications on 1 July 2023.
54Months
50% processed
61Months
90% processed
Last updated: 5 Oct 2026
Points Tested Stream
For invited skilled workers who meet the points test requirement.
61Days
50% processed
8Months
90% processed
Last updated: 5 Oct 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 61 Days, while 90% were finalised within 8 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.
Subclass 189 processing-time history
These are recorded publications, not a continuous daily history. Charts use official publication dates. Missing periods are not interpolated, and lower checkpoints do not predict your decision date.
Points Tested Stream
Change since source publication 2026-09-04: 50% −162 days; 90% +5 days.
Solid: 50% processed. Dashed: 90% processed. Exact days on the vertical axis.
- 3-month comparison
- Recorded sources 2026-06-26 to 2026-09-29: 50% −109 days; 90% +14 days.
- 6-month comparison
- Insufficient comparable history.
- 12-month comparison
- Insufficient comparable history.
| Source published | Checked | 50% processed | 90% processed | Record source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6 Months 170 days | 8 Months 231 days | Historical Home Affairs record | ||
| 7 Months 202 days | 9 Months 271 days | Historical Home Affairs record | ||
| 7 Months 223 days | 8 Months 240 days | Recorded snapshot | ||
| 61 Days 61 days | 8 Months 245 days | Recorded snapshot |
New Zealand Stream (closed) · Closed to new applications
Change since source publication 2026-09-04: 50% +41 days; 90% +3 days.
Solid: 50% processed. Dashed: 90% processed. Exact days on the vertical axis.
- 3-month comparison
- Recorded sources 2026-06-26 to 2026-09-29: 50% +47 days; 90% +13 days.
- 6-month comparison
- Insufficient comparable history.
- 12-month comparison
- Insufficient comparable history.
| Source published | Checked | 50% processed | 90% processed | Record source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 53 Months 1605 days | 61 Months 1849 days | Historical Home Affairs record | ||
| 53 Months 1601 days | 61 Months 1849 days | Historical Home Affairs record | ||
| 53 Months 1611 days | 61 Months 1859 days | Recorded snapshot | ||
| 54 Months 1652 days | 61 Months 1862 days | Recorded snapshot |
Historical figures retain their original recorded dates and values. Streams added later have no earlier data.