28 June 2023
San
[FYI request #22946 email]
Ref: DOIA 2223-2783
Tēnā koe San,
Thank you for your email of 29 May 2023 requesting, under the Official Information Act 1982 (the Act),
the following information:
“The reason behind this request is to seek information regarding the Green List Straight to
Residency visa applications that are being sent to the Special Assessment Team (SAT) or Third
party verification.
I applied for my Straight to residency on 20th Jan 2023 where 90% of the application process
time is within 80 days, after 80 days I asked my immigration officer whose working on my
application and I got to know that it was sent to Special Assessment Team for review. I might
have to wait without any time frame I have emailed and called Immigration New Zealand on
multiple occasions to seek information on how long will it take to verify by a special assessment
team even though it is pretty straightforward considering my travel history, education, and
professional background. Waiting for how long without knowing the timeframe doesn't make
any sense considering the expected percentage of residency approvals is 90% in 80 days. It is
very stressful not getting any answers from the advisors or customer care team. Therefore, I
would be very grateful if you could answer the following questions for me.
1. What information can be provided on third-party verification or SAT?
2. As of today, which date's application is at the front of the queue (to be allocated to an officer
in the SAT) –
3. Are the applications cherry-picked when assigned to an officer in SAT, or does it go date-
wise?
4. Where is my application sitting in the queue?
5. How long will it take for my application to be picked by SAT officer? on average how long will
it take to process the application and send it back to the case officer
6. can you please provide us with a contact for SAT team?
7. what does SAT verify?
8. How come the application submitted in March got approval after their application was sent
to SAT?
9. Can we ask SAT for Escalation in the process?
The contact center does not have this information. my present visa is due to expire by the end
of August. I would be grateful if I get some information regarding my application and its
process time it's really stressful for waiting without any time frame.
Thanks in advance. Please feel free to contact me if you require my details once this request
has been categorized.”
On 9 June 2023, the Ministry sent you a letter asking to clarify your request by specifying the application
number and sending it to
[email address]. On 19 June 2023, you confirmed the application
number to us.
Our Response
Immigration New Zealand (INZ) has a visa processing team set up, known as the Specialist Assessment
Team (SAT), to handle complex visa applications, and assist with verification of information where
required. Where verification checks are required, once completed, the applications are sent back to the
original processing office to finalise their assessment.
Questions 1 and
7. We are withholding the information under section 6(a) of the Act as making this
information available would likely prejudice the security or defence of New Zealand of the international
relations of the Government of New Zealand.
We are also withholding the information under section 6(c) as making this information available would
likely prejudice the maintenance of the law, including the prevention, investigation, and detection of
offences, and the right to a fair trial.
Questions 2 and
4. SAT processes a variety of residence and temporary visa applications and conducts
verification checks.
We were advised that your residence application was referred to SAT as a verification request and is
currently awaiting a third party check. This means that the verification request associated with your
application has already been actioned by SAT, and your application will be assessed further once the
third party check’s outcome is received.
As at 20 June 2023, the earliest verification request to SAT was dated 3 May 2022.
Questions 3, 5 and
8. Visa applications are processed in line with A16.1 Immigration General Instructions
for the order of processing visa applications found here:
https://www.immigration.govt.nz/opsmanual/#44854.htm
The time it takes to decide an application depends on a number of factors, including third-party checks,
time taken to complete manual assessments (such as medical assessments), and in some cases, waiting
for information from an applicant.
Question 6. You may contact the SAT team
at [email address]. Question 9. Applicants may contact the case officer or their Immigration Manager to escalate an
application. Immigration Managers may use their discretion to allocate an application outside of
lodgement date order depending on the applicants’ circumstances.
Employer-specific applications may be processed urgently using the Employment Visa Escalation (EVE)
process subject to meeting certain criteria. Please refer to the link below for more information on EVE
process:
https://www.immigration.govt.nz/new-zealand-visas/waiting-for-a-visa/employment-visa-escalation-
process You have the right to seek an investigation and review by the Ombudsman of the Ministry’s response to
your request, in accordance with section 28(3) of the Act. Information about how to make a complaint is
available a
t 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 (Acting), Border and Visa Operations
Immigration New Zealand
