Automated checks for citizenship applications
John made this Official Information request to Department of Internal Affairs
The request was successful.
From: John
Dear Department of Internal Affairs,
I am aware that the key reasons for an application failing the automated checks are:
1. Applicant is not from an English-speaking country or does not hold a visa-type that automatically demonstrates they meet the English language requirements
2. System does not automatically show that the applicant meets the presence requirement for New Zealand citizenship.
3. System does not automatically provide a photo match with Immigration New Zealand records.
Regarding these reasons, I have the following questions and request the OIA:
For the first reason: what type of the visas will be automatically considered to meet the English language requirement? If applicants hold these visas, how do they answer the English language requirement question in the online application form?
In addition, in the online application form, under the English language requirement question, it states that “Is English the applicant’s first language? You can answer 'yes' if you currently speak English on a daily basis, or if you grew up in an English-speaking country.” Does it mean that applicants using English on daily basis, such as at work, would be considered English as their first language?
For the second reason: An applicant has met the total 1350 days requirement and 240 days requirements for five years. However, the applicant applied the citizenship before the fifth anniversary of their residency. In such case, does this applicant meet the presence requirement? Will this application fail the automatic check?
For the third reason: How applicants can avoid this issue and pass the automatic check?
Do applicants having other names (rather than offical names or offical name changes), such as English name used in workplaces, require mannual verification and fail the automated check?
Futhermore, is there any reasons that automated checks may fail?
I would reuqest a list of applications showing the dates for applications submitted, officer allocated and decisions made from November 2022 to today (the latest).
Yours faithfully,
Terry
From: SDO Official Correspondence
Department of Internal Affairs
Tçnâ koe Terry
Thank you for your OIA request to the Department of Internal Affairs.
The Department will provide its response to your request as soon as practicable and within twenty working days. The 20th working day is 26 May 2023.
Please note that in cases where the Department’s response provides information that is identified to be of general public interest, the response may also be published on the Department of Internal Affairs website. If the Department publishes its response to your OIA request, all personal information, including your name and contact details, will be removed.
Ngâ mihi
Krystle Courtier| Official Correspondence Co-ordinator
Te Pâhekoheko, Kâwai ki te iwi | Operations, Service Delivery and Operations
Te Tari Taiwhenua The Department of Internal Affairs
7 Waterloo Quay, Wellington
http://www.dia.govt.nz/
-----Original Message-----
From: John <[FOI #22601 email]>
Sent: Friday, 28 April 2023 1:31 pm
To: OIA <[email address]>
Subject: Official Information request - Automated checks for citizenship applications
[You don't often get email from [FOI #22601 email]. Learn why this is important at https://aka.ms/LearnAboutSenderIdentific... ]
Dear Department of Internal Affairs,
I am aware that the key reasons for an application failing the automated checks are:
1. Applicant is not from an English-speaking country or does not hold a visa-type that automatically demonstrates they meet the English language requirements 2. System does not automatically show that the applicant meets the presence requirement for New Zealand citizenship.
3. System does not automatically provide a photo match with Immigration New Zealand records.
Regarding these reasons, I have the following questions and request the OIA:
For the first reason: what type of the visas will be automatically considered to meet the English language requirement? If applicants hold these visas, how do they answer the English language requirement question in the online application form?
In addition, in the online application form, under the English language requirement question, it states that “Is English the applicant’s first language? You can answer 'yes' if you currently speak English on a daily basis, or if you grew up in an English-speaking country.” Does it mean that applicants using English on daily basis, such as at work, would be considered English as their first language?
For the second reason: An applicant has met the total 1350 days requirement and 240 days requirements for five years. However, the applicant applied the citizenship before the fifth anniversary of their residency. In such case, does this applicant meet the presence requirement? Will this application fail the automatic check?
For the third reason: How applicants can avoid this issue and pass the automatic check?
Do applicants having other names (rather than offical names or offical name changes), such as English name used in workplaces, require mannual verification and fail the automated check?
Futhermore, is there any reasons that automated checks may fail?
I would reuqest a list of applications showing the dates for applications submitted, officer allocated and decisions made from November 2022 to today (the latest).
Yours faithfully,
Terry
-------------------------------------------------------------------
This is an Official Information request made via the FYI website.
Please use this email address for all replies to this request:
[FOI #22601 email]
Is [DIA request email] the wrong address for Official Information requests to Department of Internal Affairs? If so, please contact us using this form:
https://fyi.org.nz/change_request/new?bo...
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If you find this service useful as an Official Information officer, please ask your web manager to link to us from your organisation's OIA or LGOIMA page.
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From: Vi Saena
Department of Internal Affairs
Kia ora Terry
We seek clarification for two questions of your request below.
1. Towards the end of your request you ask - 'Futhermore, is there any reasons that automated checks may fail?' is this supposed to read - ''Futhermore, is there any 'other' reasons that automated checks may fail?"
2. The last question you ask below is - "I would reuqest a list of applications showing the dates for applications submitted, officer allocated and decisions made from November 2022 to today (the latest)".
Is this a question about (a) how different people process application or are you wanting to know the (b)dates (date submitted, date allocated, date decision made). Is this for how long it takes for various applications to be allocated and then how long it takes to get a decision for comparison purposes?
If it is because of (b) then you currently risk having this question refused under 18(f) of the Act; that the information requested cannot be made available without substantial collation or research.
Could you please specify and clarify
Look forward to your response.
Vi Saena| Official Correspondence Advisor
Te Pâhekoheko, Kâwai ki te iwi | Operations, Service Delivery and Operations
Te Tari Taiwhenua The Department of Internal Affairs
7 Waterloo Quay, Wellington
http://www.dia.govt.nz/
-----Original Message-----
From: John <[FOI #22601 email]>
Sent: Friday, 28 April 2023 1:31 pm
To: OIA <[email address]>
Subject: Official Information request - Automated checks for citizenship applications
[You don't often get email from [FOI #22601 email]. Learn why this is important at https://aka.ms/LearnAboutSenderIdentific... ]
Dear Department of Internal Affairs,
I am aware that the key reasons for an application failing the automated checks are:
1. Applicant is not from an English-speaking country or does not hold a visa-type that automatically demonstrates they meet the English language requirements 2. System does not automatically show that the applicant meets the presence requirement for New Zealand citizenship.
3. System does not automatically provide a photo match with Immigration New Zealand records.
Regarding these reasons, I have the following questions and request the OIA:
For the first reason: what type of the visas will be automatically considered to meet the English language requirement? If applicants hold these visas, how do they answer the English language requirement question in the online application form?
In addition, in the online application form, under the English language requirement question, it states that “Is English the applicant’s first language? You can answer 'yes' if you currently speak English on a daily basis, or if you grew up in an English-speaking country.” Does it mean that applicants using English on daily basis, such as at work, would be considered English as their first language?
For the second reason: An applicant has met the total 1350 days requirement and 240 days requirements for five years. However, the applicant applied the citizenship before the fifth anniversary of their residency. In such case, does this applicant meet the presence requirement? Will this application fail the automatic check?
For the third reason: How applicants can avoid this issue and pass the automatic check?
Do applicants having other names (rather than offical names or offical name changes), such as English name used in workplaces, require mannual verification and fail the automated check?
Futhermore, is there any reasons that automated checks may fail?
I would reuqest a list of applications showing the dates for applications submitted, officer allocated and decisions made from November 2022 to today (the latest).
Yours faithfully,
Terry
-------------------------------------------------------------------
This is an Official Information request made via the FYI website.
Please use this email address for all replies to this request:
[FOI #22601 email]
Is [DIA request email] the wrong address for Official Information requests to Department of Internal Affairs? If so, please contact us using this form:
https://fyi.org.nz/change_request/new?bo...
Disclaimer: This message and any reply that you make will be published on the internet. Our privacy and copyright policies:
https://fyi.org.nz/help/officers
If you find this service useful as an Official Information officer, please ask your web manager to link to us from your organisation's OIA or LGOIMA page.
-------------------------------------------------------------------
hide quoted sections
From: John
Dear Vi Saena,
Thank you for your email.
1. Yes it should be - ''Futhermore, is there any 'other' reasons that automated checks may fail?"
2. Both (a) and (b) if they are available please.
Yours sincerely,
Terry
From: SDO Official Correspondence
Department of Internal Affairs
Tēnā koe Terry,
Please see attached for the response to your Official Information Act 1982
request.
Ngā mihi,
Vi Saena| Official Correspondence Advisor
Te Pāhekoheko, Kāwai ki te iwi | Operations, Service Delivery and
Operations
Te Tari Taiwhenua The Department of Internal Affairs
7 Waterloo Quay, Wellington
[1]www.dia.govt.nz
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