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Deportation: Being made to leave New Zealand

Overview of deportation

You can be deported from New Zealand because:

  • you’re here “unlawfully” (illegally) – for example, if your visa has now expired but you’ve stayed in the country
  • you’re here lawfully on a current Temporary Visa or Residence Class Visa, but you’ve done something wrong, like breaking the law or breaching the conditions of your visa (for example, working when you’ve only got a visitor’s visa).

This section explains the grounds on which you can deported, the process that Immigration New Zealand has to follow if they want to deport you, and what you can do to challenge the decision to deport you.

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Immigration

Where to go for more support

Community Law

www.communitylaw.org.nz

Your local Community Law Centre can provide free initial legal advice and information.

Immigration New Zealand

www.immigration.govt.nz

Immigration New Zealand is the government organisation that deals with visa applications and other immigration issues. It’s part of the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment.

www.immigration.govt.nz/about-us/policy-and-law/how-the-immigration-system-operates

You can read Immigration NZ’s Operational Manual at www.immigration.govt.nz/opsmanual

Immigration and Protection Tribunal

www.justice.govt.nz/Tribunals/immigration/immigration-and-protection

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