Ref: 2223-3012
 
Dear Muhammad
 
On behalf of the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment I
acknowledge your email of 25 June 2023  requesting under the Official
Information Act 1982 (the Act), the following:
 
1- INZ introduced a new SMC point system and claims to process the
applications in 6-8 weeks. I would like to know when will INZ process the
SMC applications that were lodged before March 2020 and still waiting for
a decision? Why those applications are just ignored and priority is given
to other newly launched pathways (such as RV21, New SMC).
2- Is the processing time of 6-8 weeks realistic for new SMC applications?
Because INZ already misled the SMC applicants (lodged before March 2020)
by mentioning 12-24 months of processing but failed to do so even after 40
months.
3- Did INZ discuss this 6-8 weeks processing time with NZSIS, so they can
process the NSC checks within this time (if needed)? INZ claims that NSC
checks are out of their control then how they will process the new SMC
applications in 6-8 weeks when NSC checks are taking more than a year?
Shouldn’t INZ disclose this information so, applicants can know what to
expect?
4- Why INZ hasn’t given the priority to those SMC applications that were
lodged before March 2020 and still waiting for a decision? INZ keep
changing the focus and priorities without processing the existing
applications that are waiting for more than 40 months? Is there any
transparency and checks to oversee the actions of INZ?
5- Currently, INZ website shows the SMC processing time of applications
after the reopening in Nov 2022.  Why INZ is trying to hide those SMC
applications that were lodged before March 2020 and still pending for a
decision. Does INZ think adding those applications will ridiculously
increase the processing time and some applicants maybe reluctant to apply?
6- As per recent OIA response from NZSIS, there is a backlog of NSC checks
for resident applications due to issue in the INZ IT system. Who is
responsible for such delay and what actions are taken to avoid such issues
in the future? When will NZSIS clear the backlog of NSC checks?
7- Why INZ is not expediting the NSC checks and processing of SMC
applications that were lodged before March 2020? If they are not able to
expedite NSC checks then how can they claim to process the applications in
6-8 weeks with new SMC system? Then this claim becomes fictitious. Does it
mean those applicants, who need NSC check, should expect a very long
processing time?
8- If there is no timeline of NSC checks, then why this information is not
made public. So, applicants can see this information before lodgement of
their applications.
9- When INZ will complete the processing of SMC applications that were
lodged before March 2020? Is there a maximum time to decide about a SMC
application, or those applicants can be in limbo for 5-10 years or even
more?
10- How the New SMC system will affect the old SMC applications? Which
applications will be prioritised and why?
 
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 feel free to contact us
via email [MBIE request email] or using the contact details below.
 
Nâku noa, nâ
MINISTERIAL SERVICES
 
Ngâ Pou o te Taumaru
Ministry of Business, Innovation & Employment
15 Stout Street, Wellington 6011 |  P O Box 1473 Wellington 6140
 
 
 
 

Ref: 2223-3012
 
Dear Muhammad
 
Further to our email of 28 June 2023. This email is to advise that your
requst has been partially (second part of question six) transferred to New
Zealand Security Intelligence Service on 30 June 2023 and will being
processed in accordance with the Official Information Act 1982.
 

 1. INZ introduced a new SMC point system and claims to process the
applications in 6-8 weeks. I would like to know when will INZ process
the SMC applications that were lodged before March 2020 and still
waiting for a decision? Why those applications are just ignored and
priority is given to other newly launched pathways (such as RV21, New
SMC).
 1.  Is the processing time of 6-8 weeks realistic for new SMC
applications? Because INZ already misled the SMC applicants (lodged
before March 2020) by mentioning 12-24 months of processing but failed
to do so even after 40 months.
 1. Did INZ discuss this 6-8 weeks processing time with NZSIS, so they can
process the NSC checks within this time (if needed)? INZ claims that
NSC checks are out of their control then how they will process the new
SMC applications in 6-8 weeks when NSC checks are taking more than a
year? Shouldn’t INZ disclose this information so, applicants can know
what to expect?
 1. 4- Why INZ hasn’t given the priority to those SMC applications that
were lodged before March 2020 and still waiting for a decision? INZ
keep changing the focus and priorities without processing the existing
applications that are waiting for more than 40 months? Is there any
transparency and checks to oversee the actions of INZ?
 1. Currently, INZ website shows the SMC processing time of applications
after the reopening in Nov 2022. Why INZ is trying to hide those SMC
applications that were lodged before March 2020 and still pending for
a decision. Does INZ think adding those applications will ridiculously
increase the processing time and some applicants may be reluctant to
apply?
 1. As per recent OIA response from NZSIS, there is a backlog of NSC
checks for resident applications due to issue in the INZ IT system.
Who is responsible for such delay and what actions are taken to avoid
such issues in the future? When will NZSIS clear the backlog of NSC
checks?
 1. Why INZ is not expediting the NSC checks and processing of SMC
applications that were lodged before March 2020? If they are not able
to expedite NSC checks then how can they claim to process the
applications in 6-8 weeks with new SMC system? Then this claim becomes
fictitious. Does it mean those applicants, who need NSC check, should
expect a very long processing time?
 1. If there is no timeline of NSC checks, then why this information is
not made public. So, applicants can see this information before
lodgement of their applications.
 1. When INZ will complete the processing of SMC applications that were
lodged before March 2020? Is there a maximum time to decide about a
SMC application, or those applicants can be in limbo for 5-10 years or
even more? 10- How the New SMC system will affect the old SMC
applications? Which applications will be prioritised and why?

 
This is because this part of the request is more closely aligned with the
functions of the New Zealand Security Intelligence Service Section
14(b)(ii) of the Official Information Act allows me to transfer any
request that is believed to be more closely aligned with the functions of
another department, organisation or Minister of the Crown.
 
I trust you find the information helpful.  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
[1]www.ombudsman.parliament.nz or freephone 0800 802 602.
 
If you require any further assistance or have any enquiries regarding your
request feel free to contact us via email [MBIE request email] or using the
contact details below.
 
Nâku noa, nâ
 
Ministerial Services
 
Ngâ Pou o te Taumaru
Ministry of Business, Innovation & Employment
15 Stout Street, Wellington 6011 |  P O Box 1473 Wellington 6140
 
 
 
 
 

References

Visible links
1. http://www.ombudsman.parliament.nz/

Tçnâ koe,

The Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment have partially transferred your OIA request to the NZSIS. The partial transfer is to answer the following question:
When will NZSIS clear the backlog of NSC checks?

We will endeavour to respond to your request as soon as possible and, in any event, no later than 20 working days after the day that your request was received. If we are unable to respond to your request by then, we will notify you of an extension of that timeframe.
If you have any queries, please feel free to contact [email address].

Ngâ mihi,
NZSIS

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Kia ora Muhammad,

 

I have attached the response to your request under the Official
Information Act.

 

 

Ngā mihi,

Rian.

 

Ministerial Services, Associate Deputy Secretary Immigration Branch

Immigration New Zealand

Ministry of Business, Innovation & Employment - Hīkina Whakatutuki

Level 1, 15 Stout Street, Wellington 6011 |PO Box 1473, Wellington 6140,
New Zealand

 

NZBN 9429000106078

 

 

Tçnâ koe,

Please find attached a response from the Director-General.

Ngâ mihi,
NZSIS

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