8 February 2024
Paul Zhao
[FYI request #25251 email]
File No: DOIA 2324-1444
Dear Paul,
I refer to your request under the Official Information Act 1982 (the Act) received on 20 December
2023 requesting the following information from the Ministry of Business, Innovation and
Employment (Ministry):
Dear Ministry of Business, Innovation & Employment, If a former New Zealand permanant
resident becomes a New Zealand citizen, and he does not want to apply for a citizenship
endorsement on his foreign (Chinese) biometric passport, and he does not want to travel with
his New Zealand passport, and there is no visa sticker on his foreign (Chinese) biometric
passport, and he relied on his Permanent Residency eVisa attached to his foreign (Chinese)
biometric passport travelling to New Zealand in the past when he was not a New Zealand
citizen,
(2) Will the NZ 'Visa Verification Service' still respond to verification requests from a foreign
airport that the foreign (Chinese) biometric passport holder is allowed to enter New
Zealand?
(3) Last but not least, how much information will the NZ 'Visa Verification Service' disclose to
verification requests from a foreign airport?
(4) Will the NZ 'Visa Verification Service' disclose what category of visa (i.e. Permanent
Residency, Visitor, etc.) the foreign (Chinese) biometric passport holder has?
(5) Will the NZ 'Visa Verification Service' disclose whether the foreign (Chinese) biometric
passport holder has New Zealand citizenship or a New Zealand passport?
Our Response
When an individual becomes a New Zealand citizen any visa they hold is deemed cancelled under
the Immigration Act 2009 as a New Zealand citizen cannot also hold a visa for New Zealand. This is
outlined in S13 of the Immigration Act 2009. S64(1)(g) of the Immigration Act 2009 also outlines that
any visa will be cancelled on the grant of New Zealand citizenship to the holder.
A New Zealand citizenship endorsement is not a visa, it allows the individual to travel on a foreign
passport as a New Zealand citizen. Endorsements do not have to be a label in the foreign passport
but can be electronic so there is no physical record of this.
If the individual elects not to obtain an endorsement they will not be able to travel on their
Permanent Resident Visa as this has been cancelled under the Immigration Act 2009.
During check-in at the airport, if the individual holds an endorsement in their foreign passport, the
check-in system will give the airline an ‘OK to Board’ response and they would be able to issue a
boarding pass. The airline cannot see any visa type or endorsement via the check-in system.
If the individual does not hold an endorsement and is not travelling on their New Zealand passport
the airline will get a ‘deny board’ response at check-in and this will result in the airline having to
make a call to Immigration New Zealand’s Immigration Border Operations (IBO) team. IBO would
speak with the individual about getting an endorsement and there may be situations where IBO may
have to mention to the airline that the individual is a New Zealand Citizen. However, this would be
assessed on a case by case basis. IBO is able to give the airline an override which would allow the
individual to board the flight.
You have the right to seek an investigation and review by the Ombudsman of this decision. Information
about how to make a complaint is available at
www.ombudsman.parliament.nz or freephone 0800
802 602.
If you wish to discuss any aspect of your request or this response, please contact
[email address].
Nāku noa, nā
Richard Owen
General Manager – Immigration Risk and Border
Immigration New Zealand
Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment
