Can’t My Sister From ‘High-Risk’ India Visit Me In Auckland?

As a recent immigrant to New Zealand, like many others who’ve left their homeland in search of a new life, few things bring more excitement than knowing your family is coming to visit. 

After eight long months apart, the wait was finally ending. My cousin phoned me with the best news—she’d cleared her schedule for November and booked her tickets to New Zealand.

I was over the moon. I told my new friends in Auckland I’d save up for my first trip to Hamilton Gardens, Devonport, and Waiheke Island for when my best friend—my sister—arrived. But amid all the excitement, I was warned, “Since your sister is single and from Punjab, her visa might get rejected.” I dismissed it, thinking, "That won’t happen to us."

Turns out, it can. Immigration New Zealand has decided my sister hasn’t proven beyond doubt that she will return to India after spending time with me.

When it comes to immigration, India is a “high-risk” market. I get it. Immigration officials have made no bones about it – India is a “complex market” and applications have to be thoroughly scrutinised. Point taken. In fact, much appreciated. 

Now, to my point. I am grateful for all the bliss this country has showered on me ever since I moved here this year – truly, hand on heart. But what good is a home where my family is not welcome? What good is all that official immigration data when I know my sister is a bona fide tourist. She won’t overstay, she doesn’t want to. She has a family, a job, and frankly, a very satisfying life waiting back home. She will go back. 

It’s not like she expected her Visitor Visa application to be a cakewalk. I had prepared her for what was coming. To avoid taking any chances, we submitted an air-tight application (that’s what we thought anyway)...every document required and more—her identification, income tax returns, , business contracts, bank statements, itinerary, return tickets, my bank records, my proof of employment as an Accredited Employer Work Visa holder, and an official invitation letter and much more. 

That’s about as much documentation my sister–many of us, in fact–have had to do while applying for a tourist visa most of the time. 

Turns out owning a business and having a family back home apparently isn’t enough proof of her intent to return. Her rejection letter cited a “holistic assessment” of the information provided and stated that she didn’t meet the bona fide applicant requirements under V2.1a(ii) and E5.

But what does that mean? A bona fide applicant must show genuine intent and a lawful purpose for their visit. INZ defines this as someone who genuinely intends to stay temporarily, will not breach the visa conditions, and can leave New Zealand upon visa expiration.

“You have not provided evidence to demonstrate your family ties in your home country, so there is concern you may not return when your visa expires,” the rejection letter stated.

So, what’s my point? I believe it’s as much INZ’s responsibility to screen people for fraud as it is to allow genuine applicants. I know it’s not perfect science. We should expect some collateral damage in border control procedures. But immigration officials must decide how much is too much? Beyond my small world, such rejections surely have a larger cost for the economy and the country. Aren’t businesses in Aotearoa longing for tourists?

As we gear up to reapply for her visa, I hope this time the Immigration sees her intent for what it truly is— a young woman simply longing to visit her sister in New Zealand.