12 June 2024
John
[FYI request #26435 email]
DOIA 2324-2258
Tēnā koe John
Thank you for your email of 15 April 2024 to the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment
(MBIE) requesting, under the Official Information Act 1982 (the Act), as follows:
I would like to request the latest flowcharts showing how INZ processes the fol owing
applications:
1. Skil ed migrant category
2. Straight to Residence Visa
3. Work to Residence Visa
4. Permanent Resident Visa
5. New Zealand citizenship endorsement
For the flowcharts, they should show every step from application received to application
outcomes.
On 1 May 2024, we emailed you to clarify what you mean by ‘flowcharts’ and also advised that we use
Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) which are step-by-step guides to assist Immigration New
Zealand (INZ) staff in completing a task or activity.
On 3 May 2024, you advised and confirmed:
Yes, I am after the SOPs
On 14 May 2024, we extended the time available to us to respond to your request and advised that a
decision on your request would be made on or before 5 June 2024.
On 5 June 2024, we advised that MBIE had decided to grant your request and would provide you the
requested information as soon as it is ready and without undue delay.
Our Response
Please refer to the attached appendices for the list of all SOPs used by INZ as a guideline for completing
any assessments. For a breakdown of the information being released, please refer to the table below.
Document
Decision
Appendix 1- Skil ed Migrant Category
Assess Overall Eligibility (Skilled Residence
Released in full with the exception of:
General)
• SOP – Make and monitor third party
Assess Overall Eligibility (SR3)
checks and
Assess Skil ed Employment (SR3)
• SOP – Assess risk and conduct
Undertake a Detailed Assessment of
verification.
Employment
Assess Income (SR3)
which are withheld in reliance on 6 (c) of
Assess Qualification (SR3)
the OIA as the making available of that
Assess New Zealand Registration, Licencing, or
information would likely prejudice the
Certification (SR3)
maintenance of the law, including the
Assess Skil ed Work Experience in New Zealand
prevention, investigation, and detection of
(SR3)
offences, and the right to a fair trial.
Assess English - Principal Applicant
Assess English - Secondary Applicant
Appendix 2 - Straight to Residence Visa
Assess Health
Released in full.
Assess Eligibility
Assess Partnership
Assess English
Assess Dependent Children
Appendix 3 -Work to Residence Visa
Assess overall eligibility.
Released with some information withheld
Assess work experience.
under section 9(2)(a) of Act to protect the
Assess offer of employment
privacy of natural persons.
Assess dependent children.
Assess partnership.
Appendix 4- Permanent Resident Visa
Assess General Eligibility for a PRV, VOTC or
Released with some information withheld
SSRV in ADEPT
under section 9(2)(a) of Act to protect the
Assess PRV Eligibility in ADEPT
privacy of natural persons
Appendix 5 -New Zealand citizenship endorsement
Citizen Processing training
Released with some information withheld
Endorsement standard lodgement sheet
under section 9(2)(a) of Act to protect the
privacy of natural persons
I have considered whether withholding specific information is outweighed by other considerations
which render it desirable, in the public interest, to make that information available (in accordance
with section 9(1) of the Act) however it is my opinion that such grounds do not exist.
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
Karen Bishop
General Manager, Service Design and Implementation
Immigration New Zealand
Ministry of Business, Innovation & Employment