Residence Class Visas: Living in New Zealand permanently How Immigration NZ makes residence decisions Immigration Act 2009, ss 27, 58, 72 If you’ve applied for a Residence Class Visa, the following rules determine how the decision is made: Proper consideration – Immigration…
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Residence Class Visas: Living in New Zealand permanently Challenging residence decisions Right to appeal to Immigration and Protection Tribunal Immigration Act 2009, s 187 If Immigration New Zealand refuses you a Residence Class Visa, you can appeal their decision to the Immigration…
Residence Class Visas: Living in New Zealand permanently Deportation of Residence Class Visa holders As a Residence Class Visa holder, you can only be deported for the specific reasons set out in the Immigration Act, such as committing crimes or breaching the…
Family violence, vulnerable migrants, and other special visa policies Family/domestic violence If your visa depends on your partner, and your relationship ends due to family/domestic violence, there may still be other visa options for you, as we explain in this section. Reporting…
Family violence, vulnerable migrants, and other special visa policies Victims of human trafficking Immigration New Zealand has special visa categories for victims of people trafficking, including child victims (victims under 18). You’ll have to apply for a special Temporary Visa first and…
If you’re here illegally: Understanding your options Overview If your visa has expired, this means you’re now here illegally (in immigration law, this is called having “unlawful status,” or being here “unlawfully”). Once your status becomes unlawful, you generally have no right…
If you’re here illegally: Understanding your options Applying for a visa as a special case (“section 61” visas) Immigration Act 2009, s 61 If your visa has expired and you’re now in New Zealand unlawfully, one option is to apply for a…
If you’re here illegally: Understanding your options Appealing on special humanitarian grounds Immigration Act 2009, s 154(2) Although you can be deported if you’re in New Zealand unlawfully, you can appeal against this on humanitarian grounds. The appeal is dealt with by…
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…
Deportation: Being made to leave New Zealand When you can be deported: Grounds for deportation People without visas: Being deported because you’re here unlawfully Obligation to leave New Zealand if you’re here “unlawfully” (illegally) Immigration Act 2009, s 154 As soon as…
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