The Queenstown Chamber of Commerce has told the government department it does not want to see a drop in service at the branch which serves the multinational resort and it is keeping ''a watching brief'' on the review.
INZ wants to centralise visa processing, rationalise its branch network, simplify processes, increase online access and include greater partnerships with third parties.
The Queenstown office in Remarkables Park Town Centre is one of nine branches to be reviewed by INZ in 2014 and 2015, with any possible changes expected to be made during 2015.
Frontline services in Queenstown, along with Wellington, Hamilton, Manukau, Northern Documentation Branch (Manukau), Ho Chi Minh, Singapore, Moscow and Dubai, ''may potentially be undertaken at a VAC,'' INZ said.
VACs, or visa application centres, were operated by third-party providers, but they could not provide immigration advice and had no influence on the outcome of an application for a New Zealand visa, which could only be decided by an INZ officer, visa services general manager Nichola Hogg said.
''While an outcome of the reviews could be that INZ decides to close particular branches, INZ may also decide to retain branches or retain a presence in a particular location or market,'' Ms Hogg said.
''This would mean that while no visa processing would occur at this location, an INZ employee would be present to manage INZ's risk, attraction or relationship management requirements.
''If a decision is made to close a branch, we will work with staff to find them alternative employment where possible within the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment.''
Ms Hogg said immigration services were delivered through a large global network which was expensive to manage and operate and slow to respond to variations in application volumes and the changing needs of New Zealand employers, tourism and education providers.
''To deliver on our vision of delivering outstanding immigration services, a more flexible, customer-focused and cost-effective global service delivery model is essential.
''The new model will also allow us to fully realise and maximise the benefits of the Government's investment in Immigration's new global management ICT system, IGMS.''
There were 3151 applications decided in the Queenstown branch last year, down from 3691 in 2011 and 4202 in 2010.
Chief executive Ann Lockhart said chamber members could understand why INZ was looking at greater efficiency. However, the business community saw itself as a special case with more than 60% of Queenstown's employees working on short-term visas, the highest ratio in New Zealand, Ms Lockhart said.
''The last two to three years, the immigration department have had a very good relationship with the business community and started up a trusted partners programme, which some of the bigger employers use.
''We are working closely with the immigration department and whilst the processing would be centralised in Christchurch, we would be hopeful that they would have a representative in town to iron out any difficulties.
''We'll certainly be in close contact with the department while that review is undertaken.''
What they do
Services provided by Visa Application Centres (VACs) include:
• Receiving and checking application forms and supporting documentation.
• Data entry of all applications.
• Banking of application fees.
• Dedicated call centre support to handle telephone and email inquiries relating to the application process, depending on provider.
• Provision of visa application forms and guides.
• Delivery and collection to and from the INZ branch in a secure manner in line with INZ's requirements.
• The return of passports and documents to applicants.
VACS provide visa facilitation services only. They cannot provide immigration advice and have no influence on the outcome of an application for a New Zealand visa, which can only be decided by an INZ officer.
The main difference between a branch like Queenstown and a VAC is that a branch does the core assessment and decision-making processes, which include:
• Formally accepting the application and allocating it to a warranted immigration officer.
• Conducting any verification checking of documents that may be required.
• Requesting any additional information required by telephone, email or letter.
• Assessing the application against Immigration instructions and documenting that assessment.
• Recommending a decision.
• Completion of appropriate quality checks.
• Making a decision.
• Issuing a visa or completing a decline letter.
These processes can be undertaken anywhere. For example, INZ's Suva branch processes visa applications which are lodged in VACs around the Pacific.
''There is no loss in service by not having a processing office attached to the VAC and INZ has seen significant improvements in application processing timeliness in all locations where we have introduced VACs,'' an INZ spokeswoman said.
The Queenstown branch does not process resident visa applications. These are processed in Christchurch.
