There's a suggestion better quality visa applications are coming through, with more than nine in ten applicants being approved. 

Data released to Newstalk ZB shows just over 65 thousand applications were declined in 2025 – down from over 83 thousand in 2024. 

Last year's rejection rate was about 6.3%, compared to 7.3% for the two years before. 

Immigration lawyer Pooja Sundar told Ryan Bridge there've been several changes in visa settings in the last few years. 

She says people are also starting to understand how Immigration New Zealand's approaching decisions and are more prepared. 

LISTEN ABOVE  

There's a suggestion better quality visa applications are coming through, with more than nine in ten applicants being approved.&nbsp;
Data released to Newstalk ZB shows just over 65 thousand applications were declined in 2025 – down from over 83 thousand in 2024.&nbsp;
Last year's rejection rate was about 6.3%, compared to 7.3% for the two years before.&nbsp;
Immigration lawyer Pooja Sundar told Ryan Bridge there've been several changes in visa settings in the last few years.&nbsp;
She says people are also starting to understand how Immigration New Zealand's approaching decisions and are more prepared.&nbsp;
LISTEN ABOVE &nbsp;

A fresh and intelligent start to your day - catch the very latest international and domestic news developments, sport, entertainment and business on Early Edition with Ryan Bridge, on Newstalk ZB.

A fresh and intelligent start to your day - catch the very latest international and domestic news developments, sport, entertainment and business on Early Edition with Ryan Bridge, on Newstalk ZB.

Early Edition with Ryan Bridge

Pooja Sundar: Immigration Lawyer on the number of visa rejections dropping to a post-Covid low

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/d40b9835-fed1-456a-b9f4-b43c01860daa/transcript