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What are the differences in PR processing times between Australia and New Zealand for nursing graduates?

14 Aug 2026 · Answered by Rakshitha Muthukumar · 1 min read
Rakshitha Muthukumar
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New Zealand generally offers faster PR (Permanent Residency) processing times for nursing graduates compared to Australia.

- New Zealand: Most PR applications for nurses are processed in 8-10 weeks (50% of cases), with 80% completed within 4-6 months through the Green List Straight to Residence or Work to Residence pathways.
- Australia: PR processing for nurses typically takes 6-12 months under Skilled Independent (Subclass 189) and Skilled Nominated (Subclass 190) visas, or 6-10 months for the Skilled Work Regional (Subclass 491) visa.

These timelines are subject to change and depend on factors like occupation demand, points score, and application completeness. Both countries prioritize nursing, but New Zealand's PR process is usually quicker and more streamlined.

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