Master prompt
Visitor visa refusal recovery + reapplication (New Zealand)
Analyse the INZ refusal letter, map against V Instructions + Operations Manual concerns, decide between s.185 reconsideration (onshore only, 14 days) and reapplication, and rebuild the file.
New ZealandVisitor visaRefusalReconsiderations.185Reapplication
[CLIENT_NAME] was refused a visitor visa on [DECISION_DATE]. Application lodged [ONSHORE_OR_OFFSHORE]. Recovery pathway is governed by the Immigration Act 2009 + Operations Manual A4. NZ refusal recovery is harder than CA/AU equivalents — no formal appeal exists for offshore visitor refusals.
INSTRUCTIONS
Reply with ONLY the recovery advisory below in seven sections. Use ASCII only — no emojis.
CLIENT SNAPSHOT
- Refusal date: [DECISION_DATE]
- Lodged: [ONSHORE_OR_OFFSHORE]
- Refusal grounds: [REFUSAL_GROUNDS]
- True facts: [TRUE_FACTS]
- New evidence: [NEW_EVIDENCE]
- Timeline pressure: No urgency
================================================================
SECTION 1 — RECOVERY PATHWAY MATRIX
================================================================
PATH A — s.185 Reconsideration (ONSHORE refusals only)
- Statutory right under Immigration Act 2009 s.185
- Window: 14 days from decision
- Different officer reviews same file + any new evidence
- Same fee as original application (no separate s.185 fee)
- Outcome: confirm refusal, grant visa, or refer back
PATH B — Reapplication (OFFSHORE refusals — primary route)
- No formal appeal for offshore visitor refusals (Operations Manual
A4.20)
- File a NEW visitor visa application addressing the prior refusal
grounds head-on
- No statutory waiting period, but practical advice: 30-60 days to
rebuild evidence
- Full new fee (NZ$441 + Levy NZ$385) // 2026-05 - verify
PATH C — IPT Humanitarian Appeal (s.207)
- For DEPORTATION-LIABILITY cases only; not generally available for a
plain visitor refusal
- Out of scope for most visitor refusals unless client became liable
for deportation while onshore
PATH D — Ministerial Intervention (s.61 / s.378)
- s.61: only available if client is unlawfully in NZ
- s.378 ministerial intervention: discretionary; very narrow
Pick the right path based on [ONSHORE_OR_OFFSHORE]:
- Onshore + within 14 days of [DECISION_DATE] -> PATH A
- Onshore + >14 days passed -> PATH B (or PATH D if special grounds)
- Offshore -> PATH B
State the recommended path with one-line justification.
================================================================
SECTION 2 — DECONSTRUCT THE REFUSAL LETTER
================================================================
Map each line of [REFUSAL_GROUNDS] to a specific V Instruction or
Immigration Act anchor. Officers must cite a specific basis under
Immigration Instructions in their decision (Operations Manual A4.10).
Common refusal grounds + mapping:
- "Not satisfied a bona fide visitor" -> V2.5 (genuine intent)
- "Insufficient funds" -> V3.15 (NZ$1,000/month or NZ$400/month with
paid accommodation)
- "Insufficient evidence of ties to home country" -> V2.5 + V3.5
departure intent
- "Stay length exceeds 9 months / 18 months" -> V3.15.5
- "Health threshold not met" -> V health appendix (NZ$41,000
acceptable cost) // 2026-05 - verify
- "Character concerns under s.15 / s.16" -> Immigration Act 2009
s.15 (absolute) / s.16 (discretionary)
- "Information requested under s.27 not provided" -> Procedural
deficiency; usually fixable
For each line in [REFUSAL_GROUNDS]:
(a) Quote the line
(b) Cite the specific Instruction / Act provision
(c) Identify the evidentiary gap the officer found
(d) Mark as ADDRESSABLE / PARTIALLY ADDRESSABLE / NOT ADDRESSABLE
================================================================
SECTION 3 — FACTUAL RECONCILIATION
================================================================
Compare [REFUSAL_GROUNDS] (officer's view) against [TRUE_FACTS]
(client's account):
(a) Where officer misread evidence: prepare clarifying evidence
(e.g., FX-converted bank statements, certified translations)
(b) Where evidence was insufficient: add new evidence per
[NEW_EVIDENCE]
(c) Where client withheld material facts: full disclosure required
in any reapplication; concealment = s.158 misrepresentation =
lifetime risk
If [TRUE_FACTS] reveals undisclosed adverse facts (prior conviction,
prior overstay, undisclosed family ties): the reapplication MUST
disclose them with mitigation, even though they were absent in the
prior application. Officers cross-check.
================================================================
SECTION 4 — s.185 RECONSIDERATION SUBMISSION (PATH A)
================================================================
If PATH A applies:
Pack contents:
- Cover letter to INZ branch invoking s.185
- Identify each refusal ground from [REFUSAL_GROUNDS] and rebut with
evidence
- Attach [NEW_EVIDENCE] with index
- Statutory declaration from [CLIENT_NAME] addressing factual points
- INZ 1146 if IAA adviser acting
Tone: respectful, evidence-led, no attack on officer. The s.185
process is officer-to-officer; antagonism reduces success rate.
Outcome timeline: typically 30-90 days.
// 2026-05 - verify current s.185 processing time
================================================================
SECTION 5 — REAPPLICATION BUILD (PATH B)
================================================================
If PATH B applies — full new visitor visa application via INZ Online:
Pack must include EVERYTHING from a fresh visitor visa filing PLUS:
(a) A "Prior refusal disclosure + remediation" exhibit:
- Reference number of prior refusal
- Date of refusal
- Officer's verbatim grounds (do not paraphrase)
- Each ground addressed point-by-point with NEW evidence
- Statement of corrective steps taken
(b) Updated cover letter referencing the prior refusal in paragraph 1:
"This application follows a prior refusal dated [DECISION_DATE].
Each ground cited by the previous officer is addressed in the
enclosed remediation exhibit and supporting evidence (index
enclosed)."
(c) Stronger ties evidence (officers reading a re-file scrutinise ties
twice as hard):
- Updated employer NOC
- Property documents
- Specific upcoming named return-trigger events with documentary
proof (wedding card, school admission, business renewal)
(d) If funds were the issue: more bank-history depth (12 months not 3),
bank manager's letter, fixed-deposit statements, IT returns
(e) If purpose was the issue: tighter itinerary, host invitation with
apostilled signature, named accommodations
(f) Health / character: updated PCC, panel-physician medical, specialist
clearance where prior medical was a concern
Timing:
- No statutory waiting period
- Practical floor: 30-60 days to rebuild
- If No urgency is urgent: 14-21 day rebuild is feasible
with strong evidence and clear remediation
================================================================
SECTION 6 — DO-NOT-DO LIST
================================================================
- Do NOT file an identical application without remediation — likely
refused again on the same grounds + adverse pattern noted
- Do NOT conceal the prior refusal — INZ retains all history; non-
disclosure = s.158 misrepresentation = up to 5-year ban (s.158(3))
- Do NOT escalate to media or political channels before s.185 /
reapplication exhausted — counter-productive
- Do NOT promise [CLIENT_NAME] a particular outcome — recovery is
discretionary
- Do NOT submit fresh application from a different INZ branch hoping
for forum-shop advantage — INZ files are central
================================================================
SECTION 7 — DECISION + NEXT STEPS
================================================================
For [CLIENT_NAME]:
Recommended pathway: [PATH A / PATH B with reason]
Filing window: [exact dates]
Required new evidence: [list from NEW_EVIDENCE + adviser additions]
Expected outcome timeline: [days]
Contingency plan if refused again: [PATH B v2 / wait 6-12 months /
pivot to a different visa class]
End with: "DRAFT NZ visitor refusal recovery memo — for IAA-licensed
immigration adviser review. Verify current Operations Manual A4 on
s.185 reconsideration window (14 days onshore only) and confirm
[ONSHORE_OR_OFFSHORE] designation before advising client on pathway.
NZ has no formal offshore visitor refusal appeal — reapplication is the
primary route."Unlock the vault to see the full prompt