E7.2 Automated processing and granting

See also Immigration Act 2009 s 28

E7.2.1 Automated processing of temporary entry class visas

An automated electronic system may determine whether an applicant meets one or more of the requirements for a visitor visa under the following immigration instructions:

• V2 General visitor
• V3.5 Business visitor
• V3.25 Children entering New Zealand for adoption
• V3.30 Children adopted overseas before their New Zealand Citizenship is confirmed
• V3.35 Culturally arranged marriage
• V3.40 Entry to New Zealand for the purpose of medical treatment or consultation (and/or escorts of patients)
• V3.45 Applicants wanting to obtain occupational registration in New Zealand
• V3.50 Persons associated with a Contracting Party to the Antarctic Treaty and other Antarctic travellers
• V3.55 Visiting Media Programme
• V3.60 Pitcairn Islanders
• V3.65 Conference delegates
• V3.70 Crew members joining vessels for aircraft
• V3.80 Visitors arriving by yacht or private aircraft
• V3.81 Owners and crew of super yachts
• V3.85 Sports people, support staff, match and tournament officials and media and broadcasting personnel associated with sports events, tours or tournaments
• V3.95 German law students and graduates
• V3.115 Work visa holders dismissed during a trial period
• V3.130 Visiting academics
• V3.140 Approved arts or music festival
• V3.145 Short-term live entertainment acts
• V3.155 Persons departing New Zealand during COVID-19

E7.2.5 Automated grant of temporary entry class visas

1. An automated electronic system may grant a visitor visa to an applicant who meets the requirements under the following immigration instructions:
   1. V2 General visitor
   2. V3.5 Business visitor
2. Despite (a), an automated electronic system will not grant a temporary entry class visa to a person who:
   1. has particular alerts or warnings; or
   2. does not appear to meet health or character requirements; or
   3. has an active appeal; or
   4. is liable for deportation; or
   5. has on open case or appeal with the Deputy Secretary or the Minister; or
   6. is a student funded through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade or the New Zealand Scholarship Programme; or
   7. has compliance action underway; or
   8. holds a visa that has been granted because the Immigration and Protection Tribunal has ordered the grant of the visa under either section 210 or 216 of the Immigration Act 2009.
3. In cases where (b) applies, a manual assessment of the identified area will be carried out, and the decision to grant or refuse to grant a visa will be made by an immigration officer.
4. Where a decision is made by way of an automated electronic system that decision must for all purposes be treated as a decision of an immigration officer who is authorised to make the decision under the Immigration Act 2009.

Effective: 31/01/2022