Can my son visit us in NZ ? He has a criminal record
#1
Just Joined
Thread Starter
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 4
Can my son visit us in NZ ? He has a criminal record
Hi, can someone please help? My husband and I are emigrating to NZ. All approved and visas all done etc. BUT we have been told that our son, who has a criminal record, will not be able to visit - EVER. Is this the case. He is a UK citizen and is remaining one. But we would like for him to be able to visit us occasionally. Can anyone give us any information. Many thanks
#2
Forum Regular
Joined: Apr 2008
Location: Castor Bay, Auckland
Posts: 103
Re: Can my son visit us in NZ ? He has a criminal record
Hi, can someone please help? My husband and I are emigrating to NZ. All approved and visas all done etc. BUT we have been told that our son, who has a criminal record, will not be able to visit - EVER. Is this the case. He is a UK citizen and is remaining one. But we would like for him to be able to visit us occasionally. Can anyone give us any information. Many thanks
I know he can't fly via America, but I'm not sure about coming into NZ.
Not sure how you would find out.
#3
Re: Can my son visit us in NZ ? He has a criminal record
Hi, can someone please help? My husband and I are emigrating to NZ. All approved and visas all done etc. BUT we have been told that our son, who has a criminal record, will not be able to visit - EVER. Is this the case. He is a UK citizen and is remaining one. But we would like for him to be able to visit us occasionally. Can anyone give us any information. Many thanks
#4
Re: Can my son visit us in NZ ? He has a criminal record
Not being nosey or personal but can you say what sorta level of a 'crim' record he has. i.e. A charge for assault. Drink , driving. Borstal for being a bad teenager etc. Banged up.
#5
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 588
Re: Can my son visit us in NZ ? He has a criminal record
I'm no expert (though do have some dealings with INZ through my job) but one thing you might want to look at is making sure he applies for a visitor visa if he wants to travel to NZ rather than just using visa free status. I think a large number of people hit problems with compliance on arrival at the border if they have a conviction but have travelled visa free. In some cases by applying for a visa they can be issued with one even if they have a conviction (depends on the conviction though). Not declaring or not following correct immigration proceedure can often be more serious than having the conviction itself.
But I would strongly suggest he checks his situation out with INZ. Being refused entry at the border for non-compliance can end up with not being allowed entry for at least 3 years (even if a visa is applied for in advance for a future visit).
But I would strongly suggest he checks his situation out with INZ. Being refused entry at the border for non-compliance can end up with not being allowed entry for at least 3 years (even if a visa is applied for in advance for a future visit).
#6
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: Jun 2005
Location: In a large village called Auckland
Posts: 5,249
Re: Can my son visit us in NZ ? He has a criminal record
Without knowing the severity of the crime it's hard for anyone here to say.
This is what INZ have to say:
http://www.immigration.govt.nz/migra...isit/visitors/
This is what INZ have to say:
Under section 7(1) of the Immigration Act we will not grant you a visa or permit if:
you have been convicted and sentenced to imprisonment for 5 years or more (this applies even if any of your offences have later been taken off the record)
in the past 10 years you were convicted and sentenced to imprisonment for 12 months or more
currently, you have a removal order from New Zealand in force against you
you have been deported from any country, including New Zealand
you have been involved in terrorist activities, or belonged to or supported any organisation involved in terrorist activities
it is believed you are likely to commit – or to assist others to commit – criminal or drug offences, or an act of terrorism, in New Zealand
it is believed you are likely – due to any international circumstances – to be a danger to New Zealand’s security or public order
it is believed you are associated with an organisation or group that has criminal objectives or is engaged in criminal activities and for that – or any other reason – you’re considered to be a threat to the public interest or public order of New Zealand.
you have been convicted and sentenced to imprisonment for 5 years or more (this applies even if any of your offences have later been taken off the record)
in the past 10 years you were convicted and sentenced to imprisonment for 12 months or more
currently, you have a removal order from New Zealand in force against you
you have been deported from any country, including New Zealand
you have been involved in terrorist activities, or belonged to or supported any organisation involved in terrorist activities
it is believed you are likely to commit – or to assist others to commit – criminal or drug offences, or an act of terrorism, in New Zealand
it is believed you are likely – due to any international circumstances – to be a danger to New Zealand’s security or public order
it is believed you are associated with an organisation or group that has criminal objectives or is engaged in criminal activities and for that – or any other reason – you’re considered to be a threat to the public interest or public order of New Zealand.
#7
Re: Can my son visit us in NZ ? He has a criminal record
If he doesn't get disqualified for the above post, make sure he declares his conviction.
He can still be granted a visa, but failing to declare can invalidate one, and prevent reapplication.
Oh, and I've travelled via USA with my convictions. Thankfully they were when I was a lot younger, but even though they are "spent", they got declared.
He can still be granted a visa, but failing to declare can invalidate one, and prevent reapplication.
Oh, and I've travelled via USA with my convictions. Thankfully they were when I was a lot younger, but even though they are "spent", they got declared.