30 April 2026
David
[FYI request #33681 email]
DOIA-REQ-0027386
Tēnā koe David
Thank you for your email of 10 February 2026 to the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment
requesting, under the Official Information Act 1982 (the Act), the following:
I am writing to request statistical information relating to the Culturally Arranged Marriage
Visitor Visa.
Specifically, I am seeking totals for each year over the past 5 years (2020-2025, including data
available so far for 2026). If the data is recorded in alternative time periods, I would be happy to
receive it in that format instead.
For each period, could the information please be broken down by nationality and include the
following:
The total number of Culturally Arranged Marriage Visitor Visa applications submitted
The total number of applications granted under this visa category
The total number of applications granted under an alternative visa category
The total number of applications declined
On 16 February 2026, we clarified:
Regarding the following: "The total number of applications granted under an alternative visa
category" - could you please clarify if you mean when someone initially applies under a Culturally
Arranged Marriage Visitor Visa which is subsequently replaced by INZ with another type visa?
On 17 February 2026, you responded:
Yes correct. I do mean if someone initially applied via CAM, but was not successful as it did not
meet the criteria and was suggested by the immigration officer or otherwise to apply for another
visa like visitor
On 10 March 2026, we extended the time limit of the request under section 15A(1)(a) as the request is
for a large quantity of official information and necessitates a search through a large quantity of
information. MBIE will respond to the request no later than 10 April 2026.
On 10 April 2026, we assessed and decided to grant the request and will provide the requested
information.
Our Response
Please refer to Tables 1 – 4 in the attached appendix for the number of submitted, approved, and
declined applications under the Culturally Arranged Marriage (CAM) category for the period from 1
January 2020 to March 2026, as at 26 March 2026.
Regarding your request for the total number of applications granted under an alternative visa category,
as this information is not held in a reportable format we have refused this part of your request under
section 18(g) of the Act. Instead, we have provided instances where the applicant
was subsequently granted a visa under a different category, please refer to Table 3 of the appendix.
Please note that the Table 1 is based on the date of submission and Tables 2 and 4 are based on the date
of the decision, resulting in a difference in the total number of applications for each year. Table 1 also
includes applications that have been withdrawn or are still in progress.
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 co
ntact [email address].
Nāku noa, nā
Jock Gilray
Deputy Chief Operating Officer Immigration
Immigration New Zealand
Ministry of Business, Innovation & Employment
