Did you apply for a residence or temporary visa for New Zealand and suddenly receive a letter from an immigration officer? The letter is likely to be a PPI letter asking you to provide further information about your visa application.
While being sent this letter does not mean that your visa application will be refused, failure to respond to the letter may lead to a refusal. At this stage, the officer is concerned with some aspect of your application and is inviting you to comment and perhaps provide additional evidence to address their concerns.
What does PPI stand for, and what is a PPI letter?
PPI stands for ‘Potentially Prejudicial Information’. It is a letter that Immigration New Zealand (INZ) sends to some visa applicants to request further information before a decision is made. The purpose of the letter is to give the applicant a fair opportunity to address any doubts or concerns that an immigration officer may have when reviewing their visa application.
What constitutes potentially prejudicial information will depend on whether your application was submitted from onshore (inside New Zealand) or offshore (outside of New Zealand). Whether you applied from onshore or offshore therefore affects whether INZ will send you a PPI letter or reject your application.
Onshore Applications
For onshore applicants, potentially prejudicial information is information or material that will or may adversely affect the outcome of an application.
Offshore Applications
For offshore applicants, potentially prejudicial information is information or material that:
- was not obtained from the applicant or the applicant’s authorised representative or agent; and
- is not publicly available, or the applicant is not necessarily aware of; and
- will or may adversely affect the outcome of an application; and
- the applicant has not previously had an opportunity to comment on.
The definition of potentially prejudicial information for offshore applicants is a lot narrower than the definition of potentially prejudicial information for onshore applications. If your application was made offshore, and you do not meet all of the above criteria (a-d), you will not be given a chance to comment on the visa application. Your visa application is instead likely to be refused outright.
Why did I receive a PPI letter?
A PPI letter is issued by INZ when the case officer is concerned about one or more aspects of your visa application. There are many potential reasons for an officer to issue a PPI letter, including:
- doubts about your intentions to remain in New Zealand
- health concerns
- character issues
- insufficient proof of employment
- uncertainties around the accuracy or authenticity of documentation provided to support your application
What should I do when I receive a PPI letter?
The appropriate response to a PPI letter will vary according to what specific information or comments have been requested by the case officer. The best approach is usually to write a response which directly addresses the concerns which the case officer has raised.
Your response should be clear, concise and complete, and supported by any additional evidence or documentation that can substantiate your argument. Note that an immigration officer does not have an obligation to ensure that you have provided them with all relevant information before they reach a post-PPI letter decision, so it is essential to make sure your response is as robust as possible to avoid the possibility of further delays or your application being refused.
Common PPI concerns and what usually helps
| Concern raised | Evidence that often helps |
|---|---|
| Relationship not genuine or stable (partner visas) | Joint bank statements, a shared lease or mortgage, bills in both names, photos over time, statements from family and friends, and an explanation of any time apart |
| Doubts about a job offer or employer (work and residence visas) | The signed employment agreement, payslips, an employer letter describing duties, and proof the role matches the occupation you applied under |
| Funds or source of money | Bank statements covering a longer period, evidence of where large deposits came from, and sponsorship documents if someone else is supporting you |
| Bona fides (whether you will leave at the end of a temporary visa) | Evidence of a job, study, property or family to return to, and an honest explanation of your travel and visa history |
| Character or past declarations | Court documents, police certificates and a clear account of what happened, including anything not disclosed earlier and why |
| Document authenticity | Originals or certified copies, letters from the issuing body confirming the document, and contact details the officer can verify |
How to respond: a checklist
- Note the deadline in the letter. If you genuinely need more time, ask for an extension before the deadline and explain why.
- List every concern the officer has raised, in the order they appear.
- Answer each concern directly, in plain language, with the evidence that supports your answer labelled and referred to by name.
- Be honest and consistent with your application and anything you have told Immigration New Zealand before. If something earlier was wrong, correct it and explain.
- Keep it organised: a short covering submission, an index of documents and certified English translations where needed.
- Keep a copy of everything you send and proof of when you sent it.
PPI letter FAQs
Does a PPI letter mean my visa will be declined?
No. It means the officer has a concern and is giving you a chance to respond before deciding. Many applications are approved after a strong PPI response. Ignoring the letter, or sending a weak reply, makes a decline much more likely.
Can I send more documents later, after my response?
Do not rely on it. The officer does not have to wait for, or ask for, more information before deciding. Treat your response as your final chance to address the concerns.
Should I get professional help?
You do not have to, but a well-prepared response can make the difference, especially for character, relationship or employment concerns. In New Zealand only licensed immigration advisers and lawyers can legally give immigration advice. Our team, including former Immigration New Zealand staff, prepares PPI responses regularly.
What if my application is declined after I respond?
Your options depend on the type of visa and where you applied from. Some decisions can be reconsidered or appealed, and time limits are short. See our appeals page and get advice quickly.
