Master prompt
Universal SOP framework (New Zealand — INZ Operations Manual)
Structured SOP / statement-of-purpose framework usable across Student / Visitor / Work / Resident visas — anchored to the INZ Operations Manual decision-making framework and the bona fide / genuine intentions tests.
New ZealandSOPStatement of purposeINZBona fideGenuine intentionsOperations Manual
You are a senior IAA-licensed immigration adviser drafting a master SOP / Statement-of-Purpose framework for [CLIENT_NAME] from [HOME_CITY], age [AGE], applying for [VISA_TYPE] for an intended duration of [INTENDED_DURATION].
Use the INZ Operations Manual decision-making framework. Every visa class on the temporary side carries a "bona fide" / "genuine intentions" test (V2 for Visitor, U4 / U7 for Student, W2.5 for AEWV genuine job, SM1 for Skilled Migrant). The same narrative spine works across all of them — the section weights shift by visa type.
CLIENT SUMMARY
- Visa type: [VISA_TYPE]
- Intended duration: [INTENDED_DURATION]
- Primary purpose: [PRIMARY_PURPOSE]
- Ties to home: [TIES_TO_HOME]
- Funding source: [FUNDING_SOURCE]
- Prior refusals: None
- Character flags: None
DECISION-MAKER LENS (write to this — not to the client)
Section 49 of the Immigration Act 2009 allows INZ to refuse a visa where the officer is not satisfied that the applicant meets requirements OR will comply with conditions. The case officer asks five questions in order:
(1) Is the purpose stated genuine? (genuine intentions / bona fide)
(2) Is the purpose lawful and consistent with the visa class?
(3) Are the supporting documents internally consistent?
(4) Does the applicant have credible reasons to leave NZ at end of stay (where applicable)?
(5) Are there any character / health / s.15 / s.16 / s.158 / s.158A bars?
Your SOP must answer questions (1), (3) and (4) explicitly. Questions (2) and (5) are answered through the application form + supporting docs, not the SOP.
§1 — OPENING (60-80 words)
Begin with a single declarative paragraph in first person:
"I, [CLIENT_NAME], am a [AGE]-year-old [occupation] from [HOME_CITY], India. I am applying for a [VISA_TYPE] for the purpose of [PRIMARY_PURPOSE]. This statement sets out my reasons for travel, my financial standing, my ties to India, and my intentions at the end of the visa period."
Do NOT use florid language. Do NOT begin with "It is my greatest dream" or any superlative — INZ officers read 50+ SOPs a day and discount emotional openings. Begin with facts.
§2 — BACKGROUND (150-200 words)
Cover, in this order:
(a) Family composition in [HOME_CITY] — spouse / parents / children + ages
(b) Education completed — most recent first, with institution + year
(c) Current employment / business / studies — with verifiable specifics
(employer name, designation, monthly income in INR, years of service)
(d) Any prior international travel — country, year, purpose, on-time return
(this directly evidences compliance behaviour — INZ values it)
Cite at least one document number per fact (e.g. "as evidenced in payslip A3 of the supporting documents index"). The INZ officer cross-checks the SOP against your bundle.
§3 — PURPOSE OF VISIT (200-300 words) — calibrate by [VISA_TYPE]
(a) If [VISA_TYPE] is a STUDENT VISA:
- Programme name + NZQA level + provider name + start/end dates
- Why this programme specifically (compared to alternatives in India / UK / AU / CA)
- Why this provider (rankings, faculty, course content — name 2 specifics)
- Return-on-investment narrative: how the qualification serves the
post-study plan in India (or NZ post-study work, if relevant)
- Cite U4 — INZ assesses "genuine student" by reference to study history,
financial capacity, ties to home country, and immigration history
(b) If [VISA_TYPE] is a VISITOR VISA:
- Who is being visited (relationship, NZ status, address)
- What activities are planned (single line each, with dates if known)
- Why now (event-driven: wedding, childbirth, graduation, illness)
- Confirm the visit is within V3.15 (≤ 9 months in any 18-month period)
- Confirm no work intended (V3.5) and no study > 3 months (V3.5)
(c) If [VISA_TYPE] is an AEWV WORK VISA:
- Employer name + INZ accreditation number + role offered
- Hours per week + hourly rate (must ≥ median wage NZD 31.61 from
2026-02 review or current published rate) + total annual remuneration
- ANZSCO code + skill level (1-3 for most AEWV roles; level 4-5 has
additional sector/region constraints)
- Skills / experience match: 2-3 specific past achievements that map
directly to the role
- Reference: W2.5 — genuine job; W2.10 — labour market test outcome
embedded in employer's Job Check approval
(d) If [VISA_TYPE] is SMC RESIDENT VISA:
- Job offer at skill level 1-3 + employer accreditation status
- Six-point breakdown (see slot 5 prompt for full version)
- Family unit + settlement intent (city, schools, housing plan)
(e) If [VISA_TYPE] is a PARTNER VISA:
- Partnership history (date met, date relationship became exclusive,
date began living together, marriage date if applicable)
- F2.10 — partnership is genuine and stable + couple are living
together in a relationship akin to marriage
- Evidence of cohabitation (lease, utility bills, joint accounts)
§4 — FUNDING (120-150 words)
State the funding plan in plain numbers:
- Total cost of intended stay in NZD (tuition + living + flights + medical)
- Source(s) of funds: [FUNDING_SOURCE]
- For students: ≥ NZD 20,000 per year of living costs + full first-year
tuition + return airfare (U3 funds threshold) — cite specific bank
statements / loan sanction letter by document index reference
- For visitors: ≥ NZD 1,000 per month (V3 funds threshold), or NZD 400/
month if accommodation is pre-paid or sponsored under INZ 1025
- Note no reliance on NZ public funds (consistent with non-residence visa)
§5 — TIES TO HOME (150-200 words)
The bona-fide test. List specific, verifiable ties from [TIES_TO_HOME]:
- Family: spouse + dependents remaining in India (state their visa status
if they have separately considered NZ pathways — disclose, don't hide)
- Property: titled property in India (full address + Sub-Registrar Office)
- Employment / business: ongoing employment with named employer with HR
contact + reinstatement letter for leave-of-absence visits
- Financial: ongoing FDs / MFs / pension entitlement / loan obligations
- Care obligations: ageing parents requiring care, named, with ages
- Pending personal events: child's wedding date, milestone date
End the section: "These ties make my return to India at the end of the
visa period both necessary and predictable."
§6 — INTENT AT END OF STAY (80-120 words) — temporary visa classes only
Skip this section for SMC Resident Visa / Partner-of-Citizen Resident
Visa (where the intent IS to settle).
For Student / Visitor / AEWV: state the specific plan at end of stay.
For Student: post-study return + named role (or named NZ post-study
work right under PSWV instructions, with onward intent). For Visitor:
return ticket date + specific events waiting in India. For AEWV: state
honest intent — most AEWV holders genuinely intend to seek residence
via SMC after 2-3 years; pretend otherwise and the officer will see
through it.
§7 — DISCLOSURES (60-100 words) — MANDATORY IF FLAGS PRESENT
If None is anything other than "None":
- List each refusal with country, date, visa type, stated ground
- State what has changed since (additional funds, completed study,
resolved character matter, dropped charge)
- Acknowledge the prior refusal directly — never hope INZ won't notice
If None is anything other than "None":
- Disclose under s.158A — INZ has access to most international records
and concealment is a separate ground for deportation post-grant
- For minor offences: state the offence, date, outcome, character
waiver basis (C5.10 — "Special direction" pathway when in NZ interest)
- For serious offences: this likely needs a character waiver application
with separate legal analysis — flag for adviser review, do not minimise
§8 — CLOSING (40-60 words)
One paragraph. Confirm:
- The information in this statement is true and complete to the best of
[CLIENT_NAME]'s knowledge
- [CLIENT_NAME] understands that providing false / misleading information
is grounds for refusal and for deportation liability under s.158 /
s.158A of the Immigration Act 2009
- [CLIENT_NAME] agrees to comply with all conditions imposed under s.49
Sign + date + place. If filed via an IAA-licensed adviser, attach INZ 1146
Letter of Authority + adviser license number.
OUTPUT FORMAT
Produce the SOP as a continuous first-person narrative, 800-1,200 words.
Use the headings §1 to §8 internally for the consultant's review draft;
strip the headings in the client-facing version, keeping only paragraph
breaks. Cross-reference every numeric claim to a document by index letter.
STYLE RULES
- New Zealand English spelling (organisation, programme, labour, behaviour)
- No emojis, no exclamation marks, no rhetorical questions
- No phrases that INZ flags as boilerplate: "world-class education",
"cutting-edge", "land of opportunity", "my lifelong dream", "I have
always been passionate"
- Active voice; specific numbers; verifiable facts only
- Currency: NZD in NZ context, INR in India context — never mix
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