Comments on: Finally – something goes right for us at Immigration. http://www.avalonsguide.com/anab/2009/09/finally%e2%80%93something-goes-right-for-us-at-immigration/ There is no "One True Path" to emigrating. Wed, 08 Feb 2012 04:34:28 +1300 hourly 1 By: Ivan http://www.avalonsguide.com/anab/2009/09/finally%e2%80%93something-goes-right-for-us-at-immigration/comment-page-1/#comment-2373 Ivan Mon, 21 Sep 2009 21:38:45 +0000 http://www.avalonsguide.com/anab/?p=1372#comment-2373 Coming from an Immigration Officer background, it's not the staff that's the problem it is the system. I have some great memories in my 5 years in the Department, especially my time in Business Migration Branch. The system does not allow Officers to see you as a person unless you have a face-to-face interaction. You are but a number in 100 other applications allocated to them. Don't blame the good Officers of New Zealand. Look towards Management and politics... otherwise, look for proper advice! Ivan Flinn International Advisor Coming from an Immigration Officer background, it’s not the staff that’s the problem it is the system. I have some great memories in my 5 years in the Department, especially my time in Business Migration Branch. The system does not allow Officers to see you as a person unless you have a face-to-face interaction. You are but a number in 100 other applications allocated to them. Don’t blame the good Officers of New Zealand. Look towards Management and politics… otherwise, look for proper advice!

Ivan Flinn
International Advisor

]]> By: Avalon http://www.avalonsguide.com/anab/2009/09/finally%e2%80%93something-goes-right-for-us-at-immigration/comment-page-1/#comment-2202 Avalon Thu, 10 Sep 2009 20:58:18 +0000 http://www.avalonsguide.com/anab/?p=1372#comment-2202 Its been a bit of a mix for me - but then this is actually only the third time I have seen a VO face to face since arriving in New Zealand. Though we have friends who did not get good treatment from face to face meeting, and were lied to and insulted on a number of occasions while going through thier PR application in Wellington. The biggest problem I have found is that being polite doesnt always work, because if the staff are rude, obnoxius and basically lazy - you actually have two choices: let them treat you like dirt and deny you your visa, or fight back. In going through my parent's case - we stayed polite and respectful for almost a year - and got absolutely nowhere for our troubles. And even then, it wasnt actually us that started being rude - it was the Head of the Family Residence team who became abusive and condescending. Putting up with that kind of behaviour wont actually help anyone. I guess the thing is that there are always going to be a mix of types working at INZ - we just got a couple of particularly arrogant and lazy people working on my parents case (and I happen to know that we are not the only people being treated like crap by them - they are doing it to other applicants as well). Things are looking up for my brothers case, though I do hope they stop making silly mistakes. In just 6 weeks - we have 4 errors already. We also now have a named person we can speak to - which helps enormously. I really do feel if the UK case officer had been less arrogant, and prepared to take an hour out of his day - our experience too would have been very different. Its been a bit of a mix for me – but then this is actually only the third time I have seen a VO face to face since arriving in New Zealand. Though we have friends who did not get good treatment from face to face meeting, and were lied to and insulted on a number of occasions while going through thier PR application in Wellington.

The biggest problem I have found is that being polite doesnt always work, because if the staff are rude, obnoxius and basically lazy – you actually have two choices: let them treat you like dirt and deny you your visa, or fight back. In going through my parent’s case – we stayed polite and respectful for almost a year – and got absolutely nowhere for our troubles. And even then, it wasnt actually us that started being rude – it was the Head of the Family Residence team who became abusive and condescending. Putting up with that kind of behaviour wont actually help anyone.

I guess the thing is that there are always going to be a mix of types working at INZ – we just got a couple of particularly arrogant and lazy people working on my parents case (and I happen to know that we are not the only people being treated like crap by them – they are doing it to other applicants as well).

Things are looking up for my brothers case, though I do hope they stop making silly mistakes. In just 6 weeks – we have 4 errors already. We also now have a named person we can speak to – which helps enormously. I really do feel if the UK case officer had been less arrogant, and prepared to take an hour out of his day – our experience too would have been very different.

]]> By: Juli Ryan http://www.avalonsguide.com/anab/2009/09/finally%e2%80%93something-goes-right-for-us-at-immigration/comment-page-1/#comment-2199 Juli Ryan Thu, 10 Sep 2009 19:37:47 +0000 http://www.avalonsguide.com/anab/?p=1372#comment-2199 Almost all of my dealings with the INZ have been face-to-face. It may not be the norm, but every officer that I have met with at the Wellington branch has been efficient and understanding. There were a few times that I was under real stress, too. Being polite and respectful are the keys. Almost all of my dealings with the INZ have been face-to-face. It may not be the norm, but every officer that I have met with at the Wellington branch has been efficient and understanding. There were a few times that I was under real stress, too. Being polite and respectful are the keys.

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