I3.5 Automated and manual processing of SMC interim visa

1. An automated system may grant an SMC interim visa to a person who meets the criteria set out at I3.10(a), unless I3.5(b) applies.
2. An interim visa will not be granted by an automated system if a person:
   1. has particular alerts or warnings related to character;
   2. has an active appeal;
   3. is liable for deportation;
   4. has an open case with the Deputy Secretary of Immigration New Zealand or the Minister;
   5. is a student funded through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade or the New Zealand scholarship programme;
   6. has compliance action underway; or
   7. holds a visa that has been granted because the Immigration and Protection Tribunal has ordered the grant of the visa under either section 210 or 216 of the Immigration Act 2009.
3. In cases where (b) applies, a manual assessment may be carried out by an immigration officer to determine whether an SMC interim visa will be granted.
4. An automated system may grant an interim visa under section 61 of the Immigration Act 2009 using the criteria outlined in (a), (b) and (c) above, in cases where:
   1. the associated SMC resident visa application is received at an Immigration New Zealand branch while the person holds a current temporary visa; and
   2. the current temporary visa subsequently expires; and
   3. the SMC resident visa application is then accepted for processing.

Effective 9/10/2023