24 August 2020
Dr. Renoh Chalakkal
[FYI request #13431 email]
File No: DOIA 2021 – 0246
Dear Dr. Renoh Chalakkal
Thank you for your email on 31 July 2020, requesting the following information under the Official
Information Act 1982 (the OIA):
1. It was replied to many previous OIA requests on SMS visa processing that many
applications from the general queue are able to get CO assigned quickly, by jumping the
queue who are given priority status by the MBIE through the Visa escalation process. I want
to know if there are any official criteria or conditions available using which
MBIE/Immigration NZ decides which all applications to be escalated to priority queue from
the general queue. Or is it only depending on the person evaluating such requests? If so how
it is expected to be a standardized process?
2. If there are any such criteria laid out that is currently being used for the escalation, why
the Immigration NZ is not making it public?
3. What is/are the process/documents that one has to provide to the visa escalation team to
consider the case?
4. What is the email ID/contact number of the respective visa escalation team from
MBIE/Immigration NZ?
Our response
In relation to question 1 of your request, Immigration Instructions A16.1 sets out the order of visa
processing for both residence and temporary entry class visa applications.
For those applicants who have submitted a skilled residence application (Skilled Migrant Category or
Residence from Work), priority is given to applicants in New Zealand and where the:
• Application includes a job offer with an hourly rate equivalent to or higher than twice the
median wage (currently $51.00 per hour or an annual salary of $106,080 or more); or
• Application includes a job offer which requires occupational registration where occupational
registration is required by immigration instructions.
The remaining applications are processed in the order they are received.
Information regarding this is publically available and can be found here:
https://www.immigration.govt.nz/about-us/media-centre/news-notifications/how-we-prioritise-
resident-visa-applications, and here:
https://www.immigration.govt.nz/about-us/media-
centre/news-notifications/how-we-prioritise-resident-visa-applications/smc-and-rfw-prioritisation-
information-for-applicants. I am therefore refusing this part of your request under section 18(d)
because the information requested is publically available.
Applications are processed in date order of lodgement. However, A16.1 (f) does allow the allocation
of other applications when individual circumstances warrant this. This includes applications returned
by the Immigration Protection Tribunal for re-assessment, applications requiring reassignment due
to staff movement, and those escalated through the Employment Visa Escalation (EVE) process.
The information you have requested for questions 2 to 4 of your request is publically available and
can found here:
https://www.immigration.govt.nz/about-us/media-
centre/newsletters/korero/korero-july-2019/employment-visa-escalations-eve. I am therefore
refusing this part of your request under section 18(d) because the information requested is
publically available.
If you wish to discuss any aspect of your request or this response, please contact Margaret Huang,
Business Advisor, Operations Support, Immigration New Zealand at [email address].
Yours sincerely
Nicola Hogg
General Manager – Border and Visa Operations
Immigration New Zealand
Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment
