3726 (2024). Ricardo Menéndez March to the Minister of Immigration

3726 (2024). Ricardo Menéndez March to the Minister of Immigration: Does the minister stand by her statement when she was a member “Because that's one of the key drivers of getting migrants out of exploitation; it's actually to get the conditions of their visa changed really quickly so that they can move out of the situation where they're being exploited and on to another employer”; If so, what has she done, if anything, to improve processing times of Migrant Exploitation Protection Work Visas, 90% of which have a processing time of 42 days?

Hon Erica Stanford: I am advised that due to how the Migrant Exploitation and Protection Visa (MEPV) is recorded, the 42-day timeframe includes both first and second time MEPV applications. INZ has calculated that as at 20 March 2024, the average processing time for first-time MEPV applications was 11 calendar days, from the time the application was lodged until a decision was made. The average processing time for the second or subsequent MEPV applications was 39 calendar days, from the time the application was lodged until a decision was made. The difference in processing times is due to the second MEPV requiring a more in depth and comprehensive assessment. Applicants need to provide more detailed documentation to support their attempts to find new employment in New Zealand. For the majority of these applications, the documentation provided is insufficient and requires requests for further information before a final decision can be made. In addition to the above, some applications will take longer if there are health or character concerns to be addressed.