provides assessments to help Immigration New Zealand (INZ) make decisions, and
conducts national security checks in line with INZ’s priorities.
Generally, national security checks (NSC) for temporary visas are processed first, as these have the shortest timeframe for a response. Other visa categories are then processed, with the oldest referrals first.
The NZSIS works to the following timeframes for responding to national security checks, with the time being calculated from the date they receive the application from INZ:
An NSC response is provided for 90% of temporary visas within 2 weeks (for routine responses).
An NSC response is provided for 90% of residence applications within 6 months (for routine responses).