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New Zealand’s visa complaints hit record low—but offshore applicants still face unfair hurdles

A shrinking number of grievances masks deeper flaws in NZ’s system. Why are so many residence visa rejections overturned on appeal—and what’s left for those denied?

,   and  Administrator
2 min read
In the foreground of this image, there are many boats on the water. In the background, there is a...
In the foreground of this image, there are many boats on the water. In the background, there is a bridge, many arches, flags, banners, few buildings, poles, trees, sky and the cloud.

New Zealand’s visa complaints hit record low—but offshore applicants still face unfair hurdles

Immigration New Zealand (INZ) received over 6,500 news complaints in the past year, a drop from 9,500 in 2019. This marks the lowest number of grievances since the current feedback system began. However, concerns remain about transparency and fairness in visa decisions, particularly for offshore applicants.

In 2017, INZ revised its news complaints process, restricting reviews to procedural issues rather than the correctness of decisions. This means applicants can only challenge how their case was handled, not the final outcome. For those offshore, appeals to the Immigration and Protection Tribunal (IPT) are possible—but only if the decision is appealable, such as a non-discretionary refusal. A notice of appeal must be filed within 42 days, either through the Immigration Advisers Authority or an online portal.

Lawyers Pooja Sundar and Stewart Dalley highlight ongoing problems for offshore visa applicants, who often receive unclear or no reasons for rejections. Sundar suggests that visa officers should request more information if an application is unclear and allow reconsiderations before declining. INZ’s complaints manager, Katy Goodwin, advises rejected applicants to submit a new application with additional details instead. Courts have confirmed that individuals dealing with New Zealand’s immigration system are entitled to natural justice rights. Yet, judicial review remains costly, leaving many without an affordable way to challenge decisions. Data also shows that over a third of residence visa rejections are overturned when appealed to the IPT. Temporary visa appeals, however, are only possible if the applicant is already in the country.

The current system leaves offshore applicants with limited news options if their visa is declined. While complaints about process issues can be raised, appeals for temporary visas are off the table unless the applicant is in New Zealand. With more than a third of residence visa appeals succeeding, questions persist about the fairness and clarity of initial decisions.

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