Ref: 2021-1636

 

Dear Maximilian,

 

On behalf of the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment I
acknowledge your email of 25^th February 2021, requesting under the
Official Information Act 1982 (the Act), the following:

 

“could you please provide the latest numbers of how many SMC applications
were assigned to Case officers as well as approved for January and
February?

Could you please also provide an overview how many SMC

1. How many NON-priority SMC applications were allocated to a case officer
during January and February 2021? How many priority SMC applications were
allocated to a case officer during January and February 2021?

2. What is the lodgement time for the oldest SMC application in the
backlog which is still waiting for allocation to a case officer? Could you
please provide an monthly overview of all open applications in the queue?

3. What is the reason why the non priority queue didnt move the last 3
weeks?

4. After closing your offshore Visa centers in Mumbai, Manila, Pretoria
and Beijing this year, what are the plans for increasing the NZ based
Immigration capabilities and how will this affect the existing SMC
backlog? 

5. What directions did you get after Immigration Minister Kris Faafoi's
announcement to review the Skilled migrant residency programme? Do you
still work on applications or what is going to happen with the existing
applications?”

 

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

 

If you have any enquiries regarding your request, or its urgency, feel
free to contact us via email at [1][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

 

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Dear Mr Munker

 

I have been allocated your request to work on and I just need to clarify
your request to ensure I understand what you are asking. 

 

Your request is the following:

Could you please provide the latest numbers of how many SMC applications
were assigned to Case officers as well as approved for January and
February?

Could you please also provide an overview how many SMC

1. How many NON-priority SMC applications were allocated to a case officer
during January and February 2021? How many priority SMC applications were
allocated to a case officer during January and February 2021?

2. What is the lodgement time for the oldest SMC application in the
backlog which is still waiting for allocation to a case officer? Could you
please provide an monthly overview of all open applications in the queue?

3. What is the reason why the non-priority queue didn’t move the last 3
weeks?

4. After closing your offshore Visa centers in Mumbai, Manila, Pretoria
and Beijing this year, what are the plans for increasing the NZ based
Immigration capabilities and how will this affect the existing SMC
backlog?

5. What directions did you get after Immigration Minister Kris Faafoi's
announcement to review the Skilled migrant residency programme? Do you
still work on applications or what is going to happen with the existing
applications?

 

Questions:

Could you please provide the latest numbers of how many SMC applications
were assigned to Case officers as well as approved for January and
February?

-Your question refers to ‘assigned’ to case officers.  We allocate
applications for processing not ‘assign’ so the question becomes ‘Could
you please provide the latest numbers of how many SMC applications were
allocated to Case officers as well as approved for January and February?

-Please confirm that this is what you mean.

 

Could you please also provide an overview how many SMC

-What does this mean?  What do you mean by ‘overview of how many SMC’? 
Can you please explain.

 

What is the lodgement time for the oldest SMC application in the backlog
which is still waiting for allocation to a case officer? Could you please
provide an monthly overview of all open applications in the queue?

The ‘backlog’ is the non-priority queue.  This question is then ‘What is
the lodgement time for the oldest SMC application in the non-priority
queue which is still waiting for allocation to a case officer? Could you
please provide an monthly overview of all open applications in the non
priority queue?

-          Please confirm that this is correct.

 

5. What directions did you get after Immigration Minister Kris Faafoi's
announcement to review the Skilled migrant residency programme?

- You did not provide a link to the specific announcement that you are
referring to.  The most recent one I have found is from 25 February 2021,
Gill Bonnett, RNZ title ‘Skilled migrant residency programme in need of
review’

[1]https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/4370...

-          Please confirm that this is the announcement you are referring
to.

 

It would be appreciated if you could get back to me as soon as you are
able.  Once I get your response and the request is clear I can then begin
assessing it in full.

 

 

Regards

 

Penny Hazlett

SENIOR BUSINESS ADVISOR, OPERATIONS SUPPORT

Border & Visa Operations, Immigration New Zealand

Ministry of Business, Innovation & Employment

 

From: M M <[FOI #14770 email]>
Sent: Thursday, 25 February 2021 4:24 PM
To: *OIA <[email address]>
Subject: Official Information request - Backlog of SMC resident
applications

 

 

Dear Ministry of Business, Innovation & Employment,

 

could you please provide the latest numbers of how many SMC applications
were assigned to Case officers as well as approved for January and
February?

Could you please also provide an overview how many SMC

 

1. How many NON-priority SMC applications were allocated to a case officer
during January and February 2021? How many priority SMC applications were
allocated to a case officer during January and February 2021?

 

2. What is the lodgement time for the oldest SMC application in the
backlog which is still waiting for allocation to a case officer? Could you
please provide an monthly overview of all open applications in the queue?

 

3. What is the reason why the non priority queue didnt move the last 3
weeks?

 

4. After closing your offshore Visa centers in Mumbai, Manila, Pretoria
and Beijing this year, what are the plans for increasing the NZ based
Immigration capabilities and how will this affect the existing SMC
backlog?

 

5. What directions did you get after Immigration Minister Kris Faafoi's
announcement to review the Skilled migrant residency programme? Do you
still work on applications or what is going to happen with the existing
applications?

 

I am currently living and working in New Zealand.

 

Yours faithfully,

 

Maximilian Munker

 

-------------------------------------------------------------------

 

This is an Official Information request made via the FYI website.

 

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[2][FOI #14770 email]

 

Is [3][MBIE request email] the wrong address for Official Information requests
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hide quoted sections

Thank you for your email. 

 

I work from 9 to 3.30 each day.  I will reply to your email once I am back
in the office.

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Dear Mr Munker

 

Thank you for your response.

 

My email yesterday was just to clarify the questions that were not clear,
as such I did not include questions 5 and 6.  I can confirm that I do have
them recorded as part of the full request.

 

From what you did provide yesterday I do have one further query.  In
response to your explanation of what ‘Could you please also provide an
overview how many SMC’ meant you stated ‘Could you please share an
overview of how many SMC applications are still not allocated to a case
officer for every single month until March 2021’.

 

This is part of a subsequent question where you have requested a monthly
breakdown of all applications in the non-priority queue (#5 below so I
have removed it.  So I have written your full request below and also
re-numbered it (as the first question was not numbered):

 

1.       Could you please provide the latest numbers of how many SMC
applications were allocated to Case officers as well as approved for
January and February?

2.       Could you please share an overview of how many SMC applications
in the non-priority queue are still not allocated to a case officer for
every single month until March 2021.

3.       How many Non-priority SMC applications were allocated to a case
officer during January and February 2021? 

4.       How many priority SMC applications were allocated to a case
officer during January and February 2021?

5.       What is the lodgement time for the oldest SMC application in the
non-priority queue which is still waiting for allocation to a case
officer? Could you please provide an monthly overview of all open
applications in the non-priority queue?

6.       What is the reason why the non-priority queue didn’t move the
last 3 weeks?

7.       After closing your offshore Visa centres in Mumbai, Manila,
Pretoria and Beijing this year, what are the plans for increasing the NZ
based Immigration capabilities and how will this affect the existing SMC
backlog?

8.       What directions did you get after Immigration Minister Kris
Faafoi's announcement of 25 February 2021 to review the Skilled migrant
residency programme? Do you still work on applications or what is going to
happen with the existing applications?

 

Please read through the above and ensure is it the information that you
are after and confirm.  Thank you.

 

Regards

 

Penny Hazlett

SENIOR BUSINESS ADVISOR, OPERATIONS SUPPORT

Border & Visa Operations, Immigration New Zealand

Ministry of Business, Innovation & Employment

 

-----Original Message-----
From: M M <[FOI #14770 email]>
Sent: Monday, 8 March 2021 5:33 PM
To: Penny Hazlett <[email address]>
Subject: RE: Official Information request - Backlog of SMC resident
applications [UNCLASSIFIED]

 

Dear Penny Hazlett,

 

thanks for getting back:

 

Your question refers to ‘assigned’ to case officers.  We allocate
applications for processing not ‘assign’ so the question becomes ‘Could
you please provide the latest numbers of how many SMC applications were
allocated to Case officers as well as approved for January and February?

 

-Please confirm that this is what you mean.

 

MM reply: Correct

 

Could you please also provide an overview how many SMC

 

-What does this mean?  What do you mean by ‘overview of how many SMC’?

Can you please explain.

 

Reply MM: Could you please share an overview of how many SMC applications
are still not allocated to a case officer for every single month until
March 2021.

 

What is the lodgement time for the oldest SMC application in the backlog
which is still waiting for allocation to a case officer? Could you please
provide an monthly overview of all open applications in the queue?

 

The ‘backlog’ is the non-priority queue.  This question is then ‘What is
the lodgement time for the oldest SMC application in the non-priority
queue which is still waiting for allocation to a case officer? Could you
please provide an monthly overview of all open applications in the non
priority queue?

 

-          Please confirm that this is correct.

 

Reply MM: Correct

 

5. What directions did you get after Immigration Minister Kris Faafoi's
announcement to review the Skilled migrant residency programme?

 

- You did not provide a link to the specific announcement that you are
referring to.  The most recent one I have found is from 25 February 2021,
Gill Bonnett, RNZ title ‘Skilled migrant residency programme in need of
review’

 

[1][1]https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/4370...

 

-          Please confirm that this is the announcement you are referring

to.

 

Reply MM: Correct

 

Furthermore these two questions are also outstanding:

 

3. What is the reason why the non priority queue didnt move the last 3
weeks?

 

4. After closing your offshore Visa centers in Mumbai, Manila, Pretoria
and Beijing this year, what are the plans for increasing the NZ based
Immigration capabilities and how will this affect the existing SMC
backlog?

 

Yours sincerely,

 

M M

 

-----Original Message-----

 

Dear Mr Munker

 

 

 

I have been allocated your request to work on and I just need to clarify 
your request to ensure I understand what you are asking. 

 

 

 

Your request is the following:

 

Could you please provide the latest numbers of how many SMC applications 
were assigned to Case officers as well as approved for January and 
February?

 

Could you please also provide an overview how many SMC

 

1. How many NON-priority SMC applications were allocated to a case
officer  during January and February 2021? How many priority SMC
applications were  allocated to a case officer during January and February
2021?

 

2. What is the lodgement time for the oldest SMC application in the 
backlog which is still waiting for allocation to a case officer? Could
you  please provide an monthly overview of all open applications in the
queue?

 

3. What is the reason why the non-priority queue didn’t move the last 3 
weeks?

 

4. After closing your offshore Visa centers in Mumbai, Manila, Pretoria 
and Beijing this year, what are the plans for increasing the NZ based 
Immigration capabilities and how will this affect the existing SMC 
backlog?

 

5. What directions did you get after Immigration Minister Kris Faafoi's 
announcement to review the Skilled migrant residency programme? Do you 
still work on applications or what is going to happen with the existing 
applications?

 

 

 

Questions:

 

Could you please provide the latest numbers of how many SMC applications 
were assigned to Case officers as well as approved for January and 
February?

 

-Your question refers to ‘assigned’ to case officers.  We allocate 
applications for processing not ‘assign’ so the question becomes ‘Could 
you please provide the latest numbers of how many SMC applications were 
allocated to Case officers as well as approved for January and February?

 

-Please confirm that this is what you mean.

 

 

 

Could you please also provide an overview how many SMC

 

-What does this mean?  What do you mean by ‘overview of how many SMC’? 
Can you please explain.

 

 

 

What is the lodgement time for the oldest SMC application in the backlog 
which is still waiting for allocation to a case officer? Could you please 
provide an monthly overview of all open applications in the queue?

 

The ‘backlog’ is the non-priority queue.  This question is then ‘What is 
the lodgement time for the oldest SMC application in the non-priority 
queue which is still waiting for allocation to a case officer? Could you 
please provide an monthly overview of all open applications in the non 
priority queue?

 

-          Please confirm that this is correct.

 

 

 

5. What directions did you get after Immigration Minister Kris Faafoi's 
announcement to review the Skilled migrant residency programme?

 

- You did not provide a link to the specific announcement that you are 
referring to.  The most recent one I have found is from 25 February 2021, 
Gill Bonnett, RNZ title ‘Skilled migrant residency programme in need of 
review’

 

[1][2]https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/4370...

 

-          Please confirm that this is the announcement you are referring 
to.

 

 

 

It would be appreciated if you could get back to me as soon as you are 
able.  Once I get your response and the request is clear I can then begin 
assessing it in full.

 

 

 

 

 

Regards

 

 

 

Penny Hazlett

 

SENIOR BUSINESS ADVISOR, OPERATIONS SUPPORT

 

Border & Visa Operations, Immigration New Zealand

 

Ministry of Business, Innovation & Employment

 

 

 

From: M M <[FOI #14770 email]>

Sent: Thursday, 25 February 2021 4:24 PM

To: *OIA <[email address]>

Subject: Official Information request - Backlog of SMC resident 
applications

 

 

 

 

 

Dear Ministry of Business, Innovation & Employment,

 

 

 

could you please provide the latest numbers of how many SMC applications 
were assigned to Case officers as well as approved for January and 
February?

 

Could you please also provide an overview how many SMC

 

 

 

1. How many NON-priority SMC applications were allocated to a case
officer  during January and February 2021? How many priority SMC
applications were  allocated to a case officer during January and February
2021?

 

 

 

2. What is the lodgement time for the oldest SMC application in the 
backlog which is still waiting for allocation to a case officer? Could
you  please provide an monthly overview of all open applications in the
queue?

 

 

 

3. What is the reason why the non priority queue didnt move the last 3 
weeks?

 

 

 

4. After closing your offshore Visa centers in Mumbai, Manila, Pretoria 
and Beijing this year, what are the plans for increasing the NZ based 
Immigration capabilities and how will this affect the existing SMC 
backlog?

 

 

 

5. What directions did you get after Immigration Minister Kris Faafoi's 
announcement to review the Skilled migrant residency programme? Do you 
still work on applications or what is going to happen with the existing 
applications?

 

 

 

I am currently living and working in New Zealand.

 

 

 

Yours faithfully,

 

 

 

Maximilian Munker

 

 

 

-------------------------------------------------------------------

 

 

 

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[2][FOI #14770 email]

 

 

 

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Dear Mr Munker

 

Please find attached a letter extending the timeframe to respond.

 

Regards

 

Penny Hazlett

SENIOR BUSINESS ADVISOR, OPERATIONS SUPPORT

Border & Visa Operations, Immigration New Zealand

Ministry of Business, Innovation & Employment

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Mr Munker

 

Please find attached the response to your request.

 

Regards

 

Penny Hazlett

SENIOR BUSINESS ADVISOR, OPERATIONS SUPPORT

Border & Visa Operations, Immigration New Zealand

Ministry of Business, Innovation & Employment

 

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