Master prompt
Refusal response statement (INZ — Operations Manual grounds)
Statement responding to an INZ refusal decision — addresses the specific Operations Manual grounds cited, the s.185 reconsideration window (offshore 14 days), and the reapplication strategy.
New ZealandRefusalReapplications.185s.207INZPPIOperations Manual
Draft a refusal response statement for [CLIENT_NAME] from [HOME_CITY] in respect of the [PRIOR_VISA_TYPE] application refused by INZ on [REFUSAL_DATE] under reference [INZ_REFERENCE].
ROUTE TRIAGE (do this first, before drafting)
- Was the refused application ONSHORE or OFFSHORE? [ONSHORE_OR_OFFSHORE]
- If onshore + within 14 days of notification: s.185 reconsideration of
the same officer's decision is available (Immigration Act 2009 s.185).
Pay s.185 fee + file Request for Reconsideration.
- If offshore: s.185 does NOT apply. Routes are (a) fresh application
addressing the cited grounds, or (b) appeal to the Immigration and
Protection Tribunal (IPT) under s.187 (visa applications offshore
have limited appeal rights — usually only on humanitarian grounds
under s.207, and only for residence-class refusals offshore in some
cases). Verify route with adviser.
- If onshore Resident Visa refused: appeal to IPT under s.187 within
42 days for residence-class refusals.
- If 14-day or 42-day window has expired: only fresh application
available; consider s.61 if applicant is unlawfully in NZ.
Not available (offshore) is the current status. [STRATEGY] is the chosen route.
§1 — RECIPIENT + SUBJECT
If s.185 reconsideration:
Recipient: "Immigration New Zealand — Reconsideration Officer"
Subject: "Request for reconsideration under s.185 — [PRIOR_VISA_TYPE]
refusal dated [REFUSAL_DATE] — [CLIENT_NAME] — INZ ref [INZ_REFERENCE]"
If fresh application:
Recipient: "Immigration New Zealand — [Branch — Visitor / Student /
AEWV / Skilled] Processing Team"
Subject: "Fresh [PRIOR_VISA_TYPE] application — [CLIENT_NAME] —
prior INZ ref [INZ_REFERENCE] addressed"
If s.207 humanitarian appeal:
Recipient: "Immigration and Protection Tribunal — Ministry of Justice"
Subject: "Appeal under s.207 — [CLIENT_NAME] — INZ ref [INZ_REFERENCE]
— refusal date [REFUSAL_DATE]"
§2 — OPENING (60-90 words)
State plainly:
- Applicant identity (full legal name + DOB + passport + home city)
- Application history (date of original application + INZ reference)
- Date of refusal: [REFUSAL_DATE]
- The grounds INZ cited: [REFUSAL_GROUNDS] (verbatim wherever possible)
- The route now being followed: [STRATEGY]
- The remedy sought: grant of [PRIOR_VISA_TYPE] under the relevant
Operations Manual chapter
Do NOT argue here. Do NOT plead. Just state.
§3 — ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF REFUSAL (50-80 words)
This is the most important paragraph in a refusal response. The mistake
applicants make is denying or minimising the refusal. Don't.
Write something like:
"I acknowledge that on [REFUSAL_DATE] INZ declined my application. The
decision letter identified the following concerns: [REFUSAL_GROUNDS,
paraphrased neutrally]. I have read the decision carefully, taken
advice from my IAA-licensed immigration adviser, and now wish to
address each cited concern with new and clarifying evidence."
§4 — GROUND-BY-GROUND RESPONSE (300-500 words)
For EACH concern in [REFUSAL_GROUNDS]:
(a) Restate the concern in INZ's words (1 sentence)
(b) Explain the underlying fact INZ saw and why (do not deny what
the officer saw)
(c) Provide the new evidence or context that resolves the concern
— cite document letter from the new bundle
(d) Confirm the relevant Operations Manual test is now met
Common concern templates and how to answer them:
- "Officer not satisfied of bona fide / genuine intentions" (V2 / U7)
→ Add fresh ties-to-home evidence: spouse / parents details, signed
employer NOC + reinstatement letter, property title, dated event
requiring return (wedding card, medical appointment), travel
history showing prior compliant returns from other countries.
- "Insufficient funds" (V3 / U3 / W2.10)
→ Provide updated bank statements (last 6 months at minimum), source
of any large deposits (sale deeds, gift deeds, loan sanction
letters with stamp), and a clear funding plan in NZD with line
items.
- "Concerns over source of funds / unexplained deposit"
→ Document the source with primary evidence: sale deed registered
at Sub-Registrar office (citation), gift deed with PAN-linked
donor declaration, loan sanction with stamp, EPFO withdrawal slip.
Never just say "savings".
- "Doubt over employment / income claim"
→ Add Form 16 / ITR for last 3 years, salary credit pattern in bank
statements highlighted, employer HR contact letter, PF/ESI/UAN
passbook to show continuous service.
- "Misrepresentation concern" (s.158) — SERIOUS
→ If this is cited, fresh application is rarely the right move.
Refer urgently to IAA-licensed adviser; may need legal counsel.
A misrepresentation finding under s.158 creates a deportation
liability and a future inadmissibility — addressing it requires
formal response, not just a new SOP.
- "Character concern" (V2 / generic C5)
→ Provide PCC + court records showing matter resolved, character
reference from employer / community, and a Character Statement
explaining the offence + remorse + remediation. Consider C5.10
"special direction" pathway — flag for adviser.
- "Health concern" (A4 / medical waiver)
→ Updated INZ 1003 from panel physician; specialist letters if
relevant; cost-of-treatment estimate to address the "burden on
NZ health system" concern under A4.10.
§5 — WHAT HAS CHANGED SINCE REFUSAL (150-200 words)
Use [WHATS_CHANGED]. List, in order of importance:
- Each new piece of evidence (with document letter)
- Each new fact about applicant's circumstances (income increase,
new employer reference, new ties event date)
- Why these changes specifically resolve the cited concerns — map
each change to a ground from §4
If little or nothing has materially changed, a fresh application is
likely to be refused on the same grounds. Reassess.
§6 — UNDERTAKINGS + DISCLOSURES (60-90 words)
- Confirm the information in this statement and the supporting
bundle is true and complete to the best of [CLIENT_NAME]'s
knowledge
- Confirm prior refusal is disclosed in the new INZ 1017 / 1012 /
1178 form (Q14 / equivalent — concealing a prior refusal compounds
the original refusal with a misrepresentation finding under s.158
on the new application)
- Confirm understanding of s.49 conditions
§7 — REMEDY SOUGHT + CLOSING (40-60 words)
State precisely what the applicant asks for:
- Grant of [PRIOR_VISA_TYPE] for [duration] starting [date]
- (If s.185) Reconsideration of the refusal decision based on the
new evidence
- (If s.207) Appeal allowed on humanitarian grounds with the IPT
Close with applicant signature, date, and place ([HOME_CITY]).
OUTPUT FORMAT
- 1,000-1,400 words, formal register, first person
- Ground-by-ground response section (§4) is the load-bearing block —
spend the most words here
- Enclosures index at end, cross-referenced to §4 mentions
End with: "DRAFT — for IAA-licensed immigration adviser review. Verify against current INZ Operations Manual before submission."Unlock the vault to see the full prompt