4 May 2026
Brooke H
[FYI request #33931 email]
DOIA-REQ-0028607
Tēnā koe Brooke
Thank you for your email of 2 March 2026 to the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment
requesting, under the Official Information Act 1982 (the Act), the following:
I am writing to kindly request copies of the most recent policy guides, assessment templates,
SOPs, Global Processing Manual, and training materials for Immigration Officers to fol ow when
assessing the current Visitor Visa applications.
On 4 March 2026, we wrote to you seeking clarification about any specific visa categories that you were
interested in. On the same day, you confirmed the scope as follows:
I am looking at information for V2 General requirements for visitors, and V3.45 Applicants
wanting to obtain occupational registration in New Zealand
On 5 March 2026, we further wrote:
Given the volume of guidance materials, we would like to clarify the period of time to be covered
(including the start date) wil assist us to accurately identify documents in scope.
For example, for the past three-six months.
On 8 April 2026, we advised that MBIE had decided to extend the period of time available to make a
decision on your request under section 15A of the Act, as the request required a search through a large
quantity of information and further consultation was required to make a decision on your request. We
advised that MBIE would notify you of a decision on your request no later than 8 May 2026.
Our Response
Please refer to the table below for the information in scope of your request that is included in the
appendices.
Appendix Document
A
Visitor visa facilitator guide
B
SOPs - visitor visa and assessment template
C
Bona fide induction training
D
Visitor visa policy training
E
Visa Paks

Please note that we have withheld some of the information from the above appendices under the
following sections of the Act:
• 6(c) as making this information available would be likely to prejudice the maintenance of the
law, including the prevention, investigation, and detection of offences, and the right to a fair
trial
• 9(2)(a) to protect the privacy of natural persons. I do not consider that the withholding of this
information is outweighed by public interest considerations in making the information
available.
• 9(2)(g)(ii) to maintain the effective conduct of public affairs through the protection of such
Ministers, members of organisations, officers, and employees from improper pressure or
harassment; or
In addition to this, some information has been marked out of scope.
As wel as the information provided in the appendices, please refer to the following links for the Visa
Paks in scope of your request, that are publicly available: -
Changes to translation requirements for visitor visa applications-VisaPak-626
Issuing visas for childcare
19-December-2025-Police-certificate-changes-for-temporary-visa-applications-through-ADEPT-
VisaPak-657.pdf
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
Steven Sue
Acting General Manager, Immigration Design and Assurance
Immigration New Zealand
Ministry of Business, Innovation & Employment