New Zealand’s immigration system is under strain, and nowhere is this more evident than in the handling of partnership visas for residency. Recent updates reveal that the expectation is now set at a staggering 15 months for 90% of these visas to be processed.

The Catch-22 of Work Visas

Here’s where the system gets paradoxical. According to current rules, the maximum duration for a work visa under the partnership category is 24 months. Now, consider a situation where a couple has lived together for only a short period, perhaps due to a culturally arranged marriage. They start off with a visitor visa, transition to a work visa for 12 months, and then initiate the residence process.

The catch? If it’s going to take 15 months for the residence application to be processed, what’s a person to do in the interim? Immigration New Zealand’s answer is another 12-month work visa, which clearly doesn’t solve the problem but rather exacerbates it.

The Hidden Costs

It’s not just about the waiting; it’s about the financial burden as well. To maintain legal status, individuals are compelled to apply for multiple temporary visas while waiting for their residence application to be processed.

This means shelling out $212 for a visitor visa application fee, followed by $860 for the first work visa. Add another $860 for the second work visa and possibly the same amount for a third. All this, not because you’ve made a mistake, but because the system is fundamentally flawed.

A Self-Defeating System

The irony is glaring. The system’s inefficiency and delays force applicants to submit repeated temporary visa applications, thereby adding to Immigration New Zealand’s workload. This cyclical problem effectively has individuals paying almost twice the residence visa application fee.

Navigating a Minefield

The logistics of this process have become increasingly onerous due to the backlog in visa processing times. Each application involves notifications, and missing one could land you in hot water. It’s not just a financial drain; it’s a constant source of stress.

Final Thoughts

So, we’re left grappling with a system that’s not only delayed but also poorly designed, leading to a never-ending loop of applications and fees. It’s high time for a comprehensive review of this self-defeating process, one that takes into account both the human and financial costs involved.