After you apply, what to expect

Last reviewed 2026-06-28

This lesson describes, in simple terms, what usually happens after an application is submitted, including what a "Potentially Prejudicial Information" letter actually is (many applicants assume it means a decline) and what it commonly asks for. It restates information that is publicly available. It is not advice about your own application, and it does not predict an outcome. Check the current details at immigration.govt.nz.

Assessment and requests for information

Once an application is submitted, Immigration New Zealand checks it against its published rules. As part of the published process, Immigration New Zealand may ask for more information or documents. Answering those requests correctly and on time is part of the process.

What a “PPI” letter is, and is not

Applicants sometimes receive a letter about “Potentially Prejudicial Information” (a PPI letter). Immigration New Zealand’s own published guidance describes this as a chance to respond to a specific concern by a set deadline, not a decline. Documented triggers include concerns about employment credibility, a mismatch between a qualification and the role, or unclear financial evidence. Reading the letter carefully and responding to the exact concern it raises, by the deadline it gives, is the documented pattern that matters, rather than treating it as a rejection to react to emotionally.

Processing times

Immigration New Zealand publishes current, general processing times on its own website. These vary by category and change over time. For that reason, this course and the timelines page do not guess how long a decision takes. The official processing-times page is the place to check the current position.

The decision

Immigration New Zealand tells you the outcome of the application. Only Immigration New Zealand makes that decision. This service plays no part in it, and a self-check total in this site, whether above or below the threshold, has no effect on the official decision.

If you need help with your own case

If at any point you want help with your own application, or you get a request you are not sure how to answer, a Licensed Immigration Adviser or a New Zealand lawyer can advise on your specific situation. The adviser directory in this site can help you find one, and you can check any adviser’s licence on the official register.