2012-Apr 13: AMS alerts/warnings

Visa Pak 60: Guidelines for staff regarding AMS alerts/warnings

Visa Paks

13 April 2012

Border staff frequently utilise information contained in AMS to determine if a person is liable for turnaround pursuant to section 115 of the Immigration Act 2009.

Information contained in AMS alerts and warnings is crucial for border staff when determining if a person is liable for turnaround. Information that is incomplete, uncorroborated or not verified should not be placed in the alert text. To do so implies that the information is completely factual and accurate, and can be acted upon. Border staff have limited ability to contact the alert author for clarification when there are international time zones involved.

Staff must update and/or delete AMS Branch warnings and alerts as fresh information comes to light that either corroborates or mitigates the original warning or alert they raised. Failure to do so can have a significant impact on other parts of the business.

Alerts and warnings should be confined to known facts and not speculative or opinion based where possible, especially as they may adversely impact on a person’s right of entry to New Zealand.