Foreign visitors planning a trip to New Zealand are being cautioned about fraudulent Immigration New Zealand (INZ) letters falsely stating that previously approved visas have been revoked, The New Zealand Herald reported.
A concerned individual shared a photo of one such fake letter in the private Facebook group New Zealand Travel Tips (NZTT), seeking to know if others had encountered a similar issue. The letter, dated January 15, 2025, included the recipient’s application number, client number, and an INZ logo.
“Do not attempt travel to New Zealand,” the letter warned, claiming that although the person’s visa had been approved on November 28, 2024, subsequent "post-decision assurance checks" had raised concerns.
While some travellers can enter New Zealand under the visa-free New Zealand Electronic Travel Authority (NZeTA) scheme, eligibility depends on their nationality, mode of travel, and reason for visiting.
The fraudulent letter further stated, “You cannot travel to New Zealand on your Visitor Visa until our concerns are resolved,” warning that the recipient may be contacted for additional information. It also cautioned that attempting to travel before the concerns were addressed could lead to denied boarding or refusal of entry at the New Zealand border.
The letter concluded with a promise that a case officer would make contact within a week and was signed off with “Nga mihi,” but notably without the correct macrons.
Online discussions suggest that multiple travellers have received similar letters claiming their approved visitor visas were later declined due to "post-decision assurance checks."
INZ’s national manager of risk and verification, Aaron Smith, confirmed to the Herald that the letter circulating online was fake. While INZ does sometimes contact applicants if concerns arise post-approval but before travel, Smith explained that verification checks are conducted through specialised domestic and international risk assessment teams.
“In these circumstances, we may undertake verification checks or collaborate with specialised risk and verification teams, both domestic and international,” he told Herald.
Smith also acknowledged the existence of scam emails and websites impersonating INZ’s online services and urged applicants to use official channels.
“We strongly encourage anyone applying for visas to use official links to these services via the official INZ website to make sure they are not being tricked into visiting fake websites,” he advised.
Legitimate INZ website links always end in ‘.immigration.govt.nz,’ and Smith recommended carefully checking URLs, as fraudulent addresses often appear deceptively similar.
For those seeking guidance on identifying scams, INZ provides a dedicated online resource with detailed information.
“If any applicant is unsure whether they have received genuine correspondence from us, they can contact us directly via the details on our website,” Herald quoted Smith.
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