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Refund Requests for Unallocated Skilled Residence Class Visa Applications
Between 1 July 2018 and 23 February 2020 (inclusive), Immigration New Zealand (INZ) allocated skilled residence class visa applications (under the Skilled Migrant Category (SMC), and the Residence from Work (RfW) Category) in accordance with an informal priority criteria. The Ombudsman has deemed this to be unreasonable.
The criteria used by INZ for prioritising skilled residence applications was formalised on 24 February 2020 and has been used appropriately since.
SMC and RFW processing times
The Ombudsman has recommended that for applicants who have been disadvantaged by the informal criteria a refund should be given.
A refund can be given where:
- the SMC/RfW application was lodged between 1 July 2018 and 23 February 2020 (inclusive); and either:
- that application has not been allocated to an Immigration Officer (IO) at the time the request to withdraw the application with a refund is made; or
- that application has been allocated to an IO at the time the request to withdraw the application with a refund is made, but no assessment has been undertaken.
If you wish to withdraw your application and meet the above requirements, you can request a refund of your application at the following link:
Can I get a refund for my application fee
Please send your completed refund form to:
- INZ, National Documentation Office, PO Box 76895, Manukau City, Auckland 2241, New Zealand.
Refund requests will be processed as soon as possible.
Please note that INZ is not able to receive a refund request by email due to banking regulations regarding the electronic transmission of banking information. Please provide your bank account details only as we cannot refund to a credit card in this category.