Immigration New Zealand is warning clients the Christchurch terrorist attacks are likely to cause delays in the processing of visa applications.
More than 190 family members of victims of the Christchurch shootings have now been granted visitor visas to come to New Zealand.
Immigration NZ Manager Michael Carley said that "due to applications for families affected by the terror attack currently being prioritised" others may face delays.
"Alongside this, a face to face service for those affected has also been established in Christchurch," Mr Carley said.
"This has flow-on impacts on the timeliness of work visa applications in particular, as these are primarily processed in the Christchurch office."
It comes on top of existing delays, with INZ in the midst of their busiest season which has this year brought a record number of visitors.
The agency is also in a period of recruitment and restructuring.
"The increase in visa application volumes comes at a time when INZ is moving more of our visa processing from offshore locations into hubs here in New Zealand," Mr Carley said.
The new model is, in time, set to "enable INZ to deliver faster, more accurate and more consistent decision-making".
"INZ has recruited more New Zealand-based staff and, as the staff become more experienced, productivity will increase and timeliness will improve."
Immigration NZ says it’s doing everything possible to minimise delays.
SHARE ME