Paper-based visa application

John made this Official Information request to Ministry of Business, Innovation & Employment

The request was refused by Ministry of Business, Innovation & Employment.

From: John

Dear Ministry of Business, Innovation & Employment,

I would like to as the following questions:

1. In the level 4 lockdown, INZ cannot process paper-based visa applications. However, in the recent level 3 lockdown in Auckland, INZ is able to process paper-based visa applications. I would like to know what steps have INZ taken to enable process paper-based visa applications under the level 3 lockdown in Auckland.

2. How INZ address the privacy and security concerns for processing visa applications (both paper based and online applications) when these applications are processed by the immigration officier at their homes?

3. After the COVID-19 lockdowns, does INZ have any plan to enable more or all visa applications to be applied and submitted online? If there are plans, what's the timeline.

Yours faithfully,

John

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From: Ministerial Services
Ministry of Business, Innovation & Employment

Ref: 2021-0483

 

Dear John,

 

On behalf of the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment I
acknowledge your email of 1^st September 2020 requesting under the
Official Information Act 1982 (the Act), the following:

 

“1. In the level 4 lockdown, INZ cannot process paper-based visa
applications. However, in the recent level 3 lockdown in Auckland, INZ is
able to process paper-based visa applications.

     I would like to know what steps have INZ taken to enable process
paper-based visa applications under the level 3 lockdown in Auckland.

2. How INZ address the privacy and security concerns for processing visa
applications (both paper based and online applications) when these
applications are processed by the immigration officier at their homes?

3. After the COVID-19 lockdowns, does INZ have any plan to enable more or
all visa applications to be applied and submitted online? If there are
plans, what's the timeline.”

 

Your request is being processed in accordance with the Act and a response
will be sent to you in due course.

 

Please note, due to ongoing COVID-19 response work, requests are currently
being triaged and those relating to Covid-19 processed as a priority.
Remaining requests are being assessed as per the Ombudsman’s guidance
(which can be found here:
[1]www.ombudsman.parliament.nz/news/chief-ombudsmans-statement-official-information-response-times-during-covid-19-emergency)
and processed accordingly.

 

If you have any enquiries regarding your request, or its urgency, feel
free to contact us via email at [2][MBIE request email].

 

Nâku noa, nâ

MINISTERIAL SERVICES

 

Corporate, Governance and Information

Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment

Level 4, 15 Stout Street, PO Box 1473, Wellington 6140

NZBN 9429000106078

 

 

 

[3]www.govt.nz - your guide to finding and using New Zealand government
services

show quoted sections

References

Visible links
1. http://www.ombudsman.parliament.nz/news/...
2. mailto:[MBIE request email]
3. http://www.govt.nz/

Link to this

From: Margaret Huang
Ministry of Business, Innovation & Employment

Dear John,

 

On 01 September 2020, you asked the Ministry of Business Innovation and
Employment (MBIE) for information under the Official Information Act 1982
(the Act). Your request was made via the FYI website.

 

Section 12 of the Act provides that any person may make a request where
they are:

 

• a New Zealand citizen; or

• a permanent resident of New Zealand; or

• a person who is in New Zealand; or

• a body corporate which is incorporated in New Zealand; or

• a body corporate which is incorporated outside New Zealand but which has
a place of business in New Zealand.

 

MBIE requires more information to establish your compliance with section
12. An original of any one of the following items is acceptable as a
demonstration of your eligibility:

 

• A recent bill from the company who supplies your power, gas, water,
phone or internet services

• Council rates notice

• A letter from the Electoral Office

• Travel itinerary

• Anything from a government agency that includes your name and address

• Unexpired Rental or Tenancy Agreement.

 

A scanned copy of one of the above can be sent to
[1][email address]

 

Once MBIE receives this additional information from you, and is satisfied
that the requirements of section 12 have been met, we will acknowledge the
request and begin to consider it under the Act. If you do not meet the
eligibility criteria of section 12, MBIE will still consider your request.
Please respond by 9 September 2020.

 

The 20 working days for making a decision on your request will begin from
the day MBIE receives confirmation of your eligibility or otherwise.

 

 

Kind regards,

Margaret Huang

BUSINESS ADVISOR

 

Operations Support, Immigration New Zealand

Ministry of Business, Innovation & Employment

 

[2][email address]

Level 1, 15 Stout Street, PO Box 1473, Wellington 6011

 

[3]www.govt.nz - your guide to finding and using New Zealand government
services

show quoted sections

References

Visible links
1. mailto:[email address]
2. mailto:[email address]
3. http://www.govt.nz/

Link to this

From: Margaret Huang
Ministry of Business, Innovation & Employment

Dear John,

 

I am following up on the below email.

 

-Margaret

 

From: Margaret Huang
Sent: Friday, 4 September 2020 1:14 PM
To: [FOI #13633 email]
Subject: DOIA 2021-0483 - John - Section 12 [IN-CONFIDENCE:RELEASE
EXTERNAL]

 

Dear John,

 

On 01 September 2020, you asked the Ministry of Business Innovation and
Employment (MBIE) for information under the Official Information Act 1982
(the Act). Your request was made via the FYI website.

 

Section 12 of the Act provides that any person may make a request where
they are:

 

• a New Zealand citizen; or

• a permanent resident of New Zealand; or

• a person who is in New Zealand; or

• a body corporate which is incorporated in New Zealand; or

• a body corporate which is incorporated outside New Zealand but which has
a place of business in New Zealand.

 

MBIE requires more information to establish your compliance with section
12. An original of any one of the following items is acceptable as a
demonstration of your eligibility:

 

• A recent bill from the company who supplies your power, gas, water,
phone or internet services

• Council rates notice

• A letter from the Electoral Office

• Travel itinerary

• Anything from a government agency that includes your name and address

• Unexpired Rental or Tenancy Agreement.

 

A scanned copy of one of the above can be sent to
[1][email address]

 

Once MBIE receives this additional information from you, and is satisfied
that the requirements of section 12 have been met, we will acknowledge the
request and begin to consider it under the Act. If you do not meet the
eligibility criteria of section 12, MBIE will still consider your request.
Please respond by 9 September 2020.

 

The 20 working days for making a decision on your request will begin from
the day MBIE receives confirmation of your eligibility or otherwise.

 

 

Kind regards,

Margaret Huang

BUSINESS ADVISOR

 

Operations Support, Immigration New Zealand

Ministry of Business, Innovation & Employment

 

[2][email address]

Level 1, 15 Stout Street, PO Box 1473, Wellington 6011

 

[3]www.govt.nz - your guide to finding and using New Zealand government
services

show quoted sections

References

Visible links
1. mailto:[email address]
2. mailto:[email address]
3. http://www.govt.nz/

Link to this

John left an annotation ()

Could you please explain why ONLY MBIE needs my personal information for the OIA request??

I have requested information from other departments under OIA, and none of them requests my personal information.

Link to this

From: John

Dear Margaret Huang,

Could you please explain why ONLY MBIE needs my personal information for the OIA request??

I have requested information from other departments under OIA, and none of them requests my personal information.

Yours sincerely,

John

Link to this

From: Margaret Huang
Ministry of Business, Innovation & Employment


Attachment DOIA 2021 0483 Signed and dated response.pdf
108K Download View as HTML


Dear John,

 

Please find our response to your OIA request attached.

 

Kind regards,

Margaret Huang

BUSINESS ADVISOR

 

Operations Support, Immigration New Zealand

Ministry of Business, Innovation & Employment

 

[1][email address]

Level 1, 15 Stout Street, PO Box 1473, Wellington 6011

 

[2]www.govt.nz - your guide to finding and using New Zealand government
services

show quoted sections

References

Visible links
1. mailto:[email address]
2. http://www.govt.nz/

Link to this

Things to do with this request

Anyone:
Ministry of Business, Innovation & Employment only: