HM
[FYI request #16139 email]
Ref: DOIA 2122-0400
Dear HM,
Thank you for your email of 18 August 2021 requesting under the Official Information Act 1982 (the OIA),
the following information:
“1. Are all applications received prior 2018 and 2019 eligible according to new income thresholds
announced in Oct' 2019.
2. How many applicants have withdrawn their applications post Oct' 2019 announcement of
income threshold?”
Our Response Question One: Are all applications received prior 2018 and 2019 eligible according to new income
thresholds announced in Oct' 2019
In order to provide information regarding the eligibility of applications for the new income thresholds
announced in 2019, it would require an Immigration New Zealand (INZ) staff member to manually review
each individual Expression of Interest (EOI) for a resident visa under the Parent Category. As such, we are
refusing to provide this information under section 18(f) of the OIA because this information cannot be made
without substantial collation or research and would remove Ministry staff from their core duties and
therefore the greater public interest would not be served.
Question Two: How many applicants have withdrawn their applications post Oct' 2019 announcement of
income threshold?
I can advise that from 1 November 2019 to 11 September 2021, there were 176 EOIs for a Parent Category
Resident visa withdrawn. Please note that individuals are able to choose to withdraw their EOI from the
pool for any reason. This figure may include withdrawn EOIs for a reason other than the announced change
in income threshold.
You have the right to seek an investigation and review by the Ombudsman of the decision to withhold
or refuse parts of your request. Information about how to make a complaint is available at
www.ombudsman.parliament.nz or freephone 0800 802 602.
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If you wish to discuss any aspect of your request or this response, please contact Immigration New Zealand
at [email address]. Yours sincerely,
Nicola Hogg
General Manager - Border and Visa Operations
Immigration New Zealand
Ministry of Business, Innovation & Employment
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