• The Department of Internal Affairs (DIA) advises New Zealand residents to apply for passports at least two months before intended travel due to system upgrades and increased demand.
  • Current processing times have increased, with a standard application now taking up to 26 working days.
  • The DIA is implementing significant system changes, expected to continue through mid-May, affecting application processing times.

Department of Internal Affairs is urging individuals planning international travel to submit their passport applications at least two months in advance. This updated guideline is in response to prolonged processing times spurred by a major overhaul of the passport system and a spike in application numbers during the travel season.

In April 2024, the time required to process a standard passport reached an average of 26 working days, a significant increase from the 10 working days recorded earlier in the year. This escalation is primarily due to system upgrades that began in March, which temporarily halted new applications and are slated to extend until mid-May.

While urgent processing remains at a consistent two-day turnaround, the DIA has noted variations in processing speeds, with some applications progressing faster through automated checks. Despite these efficiencies, system upgrades have necessitated several outages, compelling the DIA to adopt a more conservative timeframe for applications, now recommending an eight-week window, plus delivery time.

Acknowledging the inconvenience, the DIA remains focused on reducing wait times and improving the passport application process, particularly for groups and families. These enhancements aim to simplify online interactions and streamline procedures.

As the system upgrades progress, the DIA will continue to monitor demand and adjust operational strategies to optimise processing times, advising applicants to plan accordingly and allow sufficient lead time for passport issuance.

Share this article
The link has been copied!