16 January 2026
Nora Cheng
[FYI request #33039 email]
DOIA-REQ-0024697
Tēnā koe Nora
Thank you for your email of 28 November 2025 to the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment
(MBIE), in which you requested the following information under the Official Information Act 1982 (the Act):
Please provide the complete basis and reference materials used by the visa officers responsible for
assessing RV and PRV applications when issuing PPI and RFI requests. In particular, we would like
clarification as to whether, during the assessment of a PRV application, there are instances in which
only an RFI letter is issued (instead of a PPI letter) and, upon receipt of the applicant’s response, a
final visa decision is made directly.
We also note that certain materials were provided in response to a request from Wendy Yang on 13
July 2023. If the relevant information is already included within those documents, please specify
clearly which document it is contained in.
Our Response
A request for information (RFI) is a request for additional information that is required for an immigration
officer (IO) to be able to make a decision on an application. An RFI may be sent at any time throughout the
lodgement and processing of a visa application and may be used to request compulsory documents listed
in immigration instructions, or further information that an IO deems is necessary.
Potentially prejudicial information (PPI) is factual or material information that may adversely affect the
outcome of an application. When PPI is put to an applicant, the purpose is to provide the applicant the
opportunity to comment before a decision is made on the basis of any identified potentially prejudicial
information which may result in an applicant not meeting the relevant immigration instructions and/or
sections of the Immigration Act 2009 to be granted a visa. To action a PPI, the officer communicates the
concerns to the applicant and provides a timeframe for response. The applicant's response will be assessed
and considered before a decision is made on the application. If concerns raised in a PPI are successfully
addressed and immigration instructions are met, the application may be approved. Unresolved concerns
may lead to a decline decision.
IOs assess each application on a case-by-case basis, weighing all relevant information and the individual
circumstances of each applicant. The decision to issue an RFI or a PPI is at the discretion of the IO processing
the application and is dependent on their assessment of the evidence provided with the application and
whether this demonstrates that immigration instructions are met. . IOs are required to ensure that
decisions on visa applications are properly documented. This includes ensuring that all file records are
accurate, clear, complete, and factual. Therefore, the decision to issue an RFI or PPI throughout the
processing of a visa application should be clearly documented in the assessment notes of the visa
application with rationale supporting the decision to issue the RFI or PPI.
All relevant information including any response provided to a RFI or PPI must be given proper consideration
in the assessment of a visa application prior to a final decision being made. IOs are required to make
decisions in line with the principles of fairness and natural justice, as outlined in immigration instructions
A1.5. The issuance of RFI and PPI and the subsequent assessment of an applicant’s response are key steps
in the visa decision making process and assist to ensure that decisions are fair, transparent, and based on
all available information.
For processing of residence class visas (which includes resident visas and permanent resident visas),
immigration instruction
s R5.20.5 outline that applicants will be given the opportunity to comment before
a decision is made to decline the visa on the basis of any PPI that they are not necessarily aware of. This
instruction applies to applicants both within and outside of New Zealand.
More information on the instructions can be found on the Immigration New Zealand website here:
https://www.immigration.govt.nz/opsmanual/#35439.htm While the materials released by MBIE in July 2023 in
a previous request are related to the questions you
have asked, the materials provided were in response to the specific requests made in that case. They
are not a response to the questions raised in your current request.
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
www.ombudsman.parliament.nz or freephone 0800 802
602.
If you wish to discuss any aspect of your request or this response, please contac
t [email address]. Nāku noa, nā
Jock Gilray
Director Visa
Immigration New Zealand
Ministry of Business, Innovation & Employment
