Immigration New Zealand probes fraudulent documents in Indian group visa applications

Immigration NZ assessed visa applications for a group of 27 Indian nationals who wished to travel to New Zealand as part of a group called Community Holi Celebration with Shibani Kashyap. Photo / 123RF

Nearly a third of visa applications connected to an Indian performance group were either declined, withdrawn or flagged for concerns, including fraudulent documents, after investigation by Immigration New Zealand.

INZ visa director Jock Gilray said it assessed visa applications for a group of 27 Indian nationals who wished to visit New Zealand as part of a group called Community Holi Celebration with Shibani Kashyap. Kashyap is a popular Bollywood star from Delhi.

The group performed at the Colours in the Park event in Pukekohe last Saturday.

“INZ verified that the event was genuine, including consultation with the Indian Consul-General in Auckland, who confirmed they were supporting the event,” Gilray said.

“A robust and fair assessment process was applied to the individuals making up this group, including collaboration with our risk and verification teams in India.”

He said seven visitor visa applications were approved for the group, each valid for one month.

Four applications were declined and three were withdrawn after concerns were identified with some applications, including fraudulent documents.

Thirteen short-term, limited visas were granted specifically for attendance at the event, after officials determined that this would mitigate identified risks, Gilray said.

Those limited visas expire next Friday and do not permit the holders to apply for any further visas while in New Zealand.

Of the 20 people whose applications were approved, 18 arrived between February 11 and 24.

Gilray said one visa holder had not yet travelled, while another was prevented from leaving for New Zealand after additional concerns emerged. Two members of the group have since left the country, with the remaining 16 still in New Zealand on valid visas.

“This is a good example of the challenges INZ staff face every day as we strike the balance between risk management and facilitating visitors.”

Police and Customs forwarded questions to INZ.

The High Commission of India in New Zealand has been approached for comment.

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