What a PPI letter means and how to respond before a decision is made

The purpose of the letter is to give you an opportunity to comment on those concerns before a final decision is made. This forms part of Immigration New Zealand’s obligation to act fairly.

If you do not respond, Immigration will usually proceed to decide your application based on the information it already holds.

An RFI, or request for information, simply asks for additional documents or clarification so Immigration can continue assessing your application. An RFI does not automatically mean your application is at risk of being declined.

A PPI letter, by contrast, signals that Immigration is considering declining the application unless the concerns raised are resolved.

In some cases, Immigration combines a PPI and an RFI into a single letter. These letters may request documents while also warning that the application may be declined once your response is reviewed.

• doubts about whether a relationship is genuine and stable for partnership visas
• concerns that a supporting partner is not eligible
• questions about whether an applicant is suitably qualified or meets the minimum skills threshold for an Accredited Employer Work Visa
• employment documents that do not meet legal requirements
• health or character concerns
• doubts about whether a temporary visa applicant is a genuine, bona fide entrant

PPI letters typically give a short timeframe to respond, often one or two weeks.

A strong response usually involves:

• identifying the exact issues Immigration has raised
• correcting misunderstandings or inaccuracies
• addressing concerns directly and logically
• providing only relevant, targeted documents
• submitting the response before the stated deadline

Emotional arguments or excessive documentation can weaken a response rather than strengthen it.

A poorly prepared response can confirm Immigration’s concerns and result in a visa decline. In some cases, a weak response can also affect future visa options.

Visa Matters deals with PPI responses regularly and understands how Immigration assesses these cases. We help clients structure clear, credible responses and provide evidence that directly addresses the issues raised.

In many cases, a well-prepared response can turn a likely decline into an approval.