Hey everybody!
My most visited page ( https://www.govt.nz/browse/passports...on-timeframes/ ) contains next note:
> Some applications may take longer due to:
> * external checks with other government agencies
Anybody clue what do they mean and whether I can initiate/request those checks on my own?
Thanks!
The obvious one is the Department of Internal Affairs using INZ's border movement records to check whether or not you meet the presence requirement.
The main area, though, is with respect to the character requirement. DIA undertakes checks with external agencies to identify whether they hold any information detrimental to one's character. These agencies include, but are not limited to:
- New Zealand Police
- New Zealand Security Intelligence Service
- Ministry of Social Development
- Ministry of Justice
- Inland Revenue Department
- Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment
Additionally, some applicants may be required to supply clearances from overseas agencies or to provide other information.
You can not initiate/request these checks on your own: DIA will do this on your behalf. Where DIA receives detrimental information about your character (unless the case officer forms the view that the detrimental information received can be disregarded as not relevant, not reliable, or trivial in nature), they will give you an opportunity to respond before making a recommendation.
The Citizenship Guidance Document contains more information on this.
I do not know, but I very much doubt that DIA really cares about how much tax you pay each year!
The checks are made to determine whether or not you meet the character requirement, so DIA's concern would be whether or not IRD holds detrimental information about one's character. So in effect, it usually is indeed enough for DIA to know that your taxes are up to date and you don't owe IRD any money. If, for example, your tax affairs are in a shambolic state, I would expect IRD to inform DIA of this, and I would expect this to impact on the character assessment.
Applied online 26 june 2022
Approved 3 August, 2022
No contact from DIA
Applied online 26 June 2022.
Approved 4 August 2022.
No contact either