2014-Jan 10: New Zealand Citizens applying for PRVs

Visa Pak 143: Clarification for staff on New Zealand citizens applying for PRVs and guidelines on how to deal with these applications

Visa Paks

10 January 2014

New Zealand Citizens applying for PRVs

This advice is to ensure that a consistent approach is used when checking that New Zealand Citizens are not incorrectly issued a PRV into any foreign passport they may hold. This item should be read in conjunction with IAC 13/02.

Background:

IAC 13/02 provides the complete background on how to handle applications from New Zealand Citizens applying to transfer a PRV into any foreign passport they may hold. Instead of transferring the PRV, applicants should be advised to apply for an endorsement of New Zealand citizenship instead.

INZ will not be looking into historic PRV applications to see if New Zealand Citizens hold PRVs as this would require substantial collation and research. Instances where New Zealand Citizens may currently hold a PRV in their foreign passport will eventually resolve themselves when these applicants apply to transfer their PRV and are instead directed to obtain an endorsement of citizenship instead.

Action: If INZ becomes aware a holder of a PRV in a foreign passport may also be a New Zealand Citizen, we should firstly verify New Zealand Citizenship with the Department of Internal Affairs (DIA) (see the IAC13/02 for instruction). If DIA verify the person is a New Zealand Citizen, a branch warning should be placed against the applicant so officers are aware the applicant is a New Zealand Citizen. No further action should be taken until the applicant applies to transfer their PRV. At that time they should be advised as a New Zealand Citizen they are ineligible to hold a PRV, and should be applying for an endorsement of citizenship instead.