What to do if you get a PPI letter
Receiving a PPI letter from Immigration New Zealand can feel overwhelming, but it’s important to understand what it means and how to respond. A PPI letter is not a rejection, it’s an opportunity to address concerns and clarify information about your visa application. The way you respond can significantly affect the outcome.
What is a PPI letter?
A PPI letter is sent by Immigration New Zealand when they need additional information or clarification about your visa application. It doesn’t mean your application has been rejected – it means the immigration officer reviewing your case has identified something that needs further explanation.
Common reasons for receiving a PPI letter include:
- Questions about your employment or your employer’s ability to meet visa requirements
- Concerns about the authenticity of documents you’ve submitted
- Health-related questions or concerns
- Character-related issues
- Doubts about the genuine purpose of your visa application
The immigration officer may issue a PPI letter for various other reasons depending on your specific circumstances.
What does it mean if Immigration New Zealand sends you a PPI letter?
Receiving a PPI letter means Immigration New Zealand has identified potential issues with your application that need to be addressed. This is actually an opportunity—the department is giving you a chance to respond and clarify the concerns before making a final decision.
This is not a rejection. However, the way you respond to the PPI letter will significantly impact the outcome of your application. A strong, clear response can resolve the concerns and move your application forward. An incomplete or unclear response may result in your visa being declined.
Why has Immigration New Zealand sent a PPI letter?
Immigration New Zealand is required to follow “natural justice”—meaning they must give you a fair opportunity to respond to concerns before rejecting your application. By issuing a PPI letter, they’re showing you exactly what needs to be addressed.
Common concerns that trigger a PPI include:
- Employment verification issues
- Questions about document authenticity
- Medical or health-related concerns
- Character assessment questions
- Unclear information about your purpose for being in New Zealand
Understanding the specific concern raised in your PPI letter is the first step toward addressing it effectively.
Onshore vs Offshore visa applications
If you’re already in New Zealand (onshore application): Immigration New Zealand has a broader definition of PPI. They must provide you with a PPI letter for any information they find that could negatively impact your application.
If you’re applying from outside New Zealand (offshore application): The definition of PPI is narrower. Immigration New Zealand must only issue a PPI letter if the information:
- May negatively impact your visa application
- Is not publicly available
- You haven’t yet had a chance to respond to
- Wasn’t submitted by you or your authorised representative
This means offshore applicants have less protection—Immigration New Zealand may decline your application without issuing a PPI letter if the information doesn’t meet these strict criteria.
How to respond to a PPI letter
Your response to a PPI letter is critical. Here’s what you need to do:
Act quickly. Immigration New Zealand will specify a deadline for your response. Missing this deadline can result in automatic decline of your application.
Address every point. Read the PPI letter carefully and respond to each concern raised. Don’t leave anything unanswered.
Provide clear evidence. Support your response with relevant documents, references, or explanations. Vague or incomplete responses are unlikely to satisfy the immigration officer.
Reference immigration law. Where relevant, cite the specific New Zealand immigration law sections that support your response.
Be honest and thorough. Incomplete or misleading responses can have serious consequences, including deportation in some cases.
Why get professional help
Remember: Immigration New Zealand has already identified potential issues with your visa application. Unless you respond to your PPI letter in a clear, complete, and compelling way, your visa application is likely to be denied.
Your response must quote relevant New Zealand immigration law sections and provide ample evidence to satisfy the immigration officer. The consequences of not responding correctly extend beyond visa rejection—in some cases, you may face deportation proceedings once your application is declined.
A professional immigration adviser can help you:
- Identify exactly what concerns need to be addressed
- Gather and organise the right evidence
- Draft a response that clearly addresses each point
- Reference relevant immigration law sections correctly
- Meet strict deadlines
- Maximise your chances of a successful outcome
The Provisas No Surprises Promise means we’ll be upfront about your situation, transparent about costs from the start, and keep you informed every step of the way.
Ready for a consultation?
Book a free consultation with our immigration experts to discuss your PPI letter and develop the most effective response strategy. Our typical fees for PPI letter responses range from NZ$1,500–$2,750 (plus applicable GST).