Immigration New Zealand (INZ) says it is yet to receive a visa application for Mohammad Amir and confirms the Pakistan fast bowler will require a waiver to tour in January.
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has reportedly sought legal advice on whether Amir will be able to obtain a visa to enter New Zealand after spending three months in jail in 2010.
The 23-year-old is on the verge of making his international comeback after serving a five-year ban for match-fixing, which included the jail sentence.
He has been included in a Pakistan training squad and is a good chance to win selection, visa permitting, for the tour from January 15-31 comprising three Twenty20 internationals and three one-day internationals.
An INZ spokesperson told NZ Newswire no application had been received for Amir.
She confirmed that because of his criminal conviction, he would need a visitor character waiver before any visa was granted.
"Each application is considered on its individual merits and taking into account, for example, the seriousness of an offence, number of offences and how long ago the event/s occurred."
Cricket website ESPNCricinfo reported the PCB suspects Amir's case for a New Zealand visa is weak and has engaged the player's lawyer in case there is a need to present evidence again.
Amir, former Test captain Salman Butt and seam bowler Mohammad Asif were cleared to return to the sport by the International Cricket Council (ICC) in September after serving suspensions.
Left-armer Amir has impressed in domestic cricket, finishing as the top wicket-taker in the Bangladesh Premier League for the Chittagong Vikings.
As a teenager, Amir was regarded as one of the most talented pace bowlers in the world before being found guilty of spot-fixing in a Test against England at Lord's in 2010.
