Immigration Problems & Solutions
When Your Immigration Doesn't Go To Plan...
With the right guidance, most immigration journeys follow a reasonably straightforward path. Unfortunately, some do not.
Your visa application may have been declined. Immigration New Zealand may have raised concerns about your health, character, relationship or employment. Your circumstances may have changed unexpectedly. You may have been stopped at the border. Your visa may have expired, or you may have received correspondence from Immigration New Zealand that you do not fully understand.
When immigration problems arise, obtaining experienced and expert advice quickly can be critical.
For more than 35 years, Pathways® has been helping individuals, families and businesses navigate complex, challenging and often urgent immigration situations. When things do not go to plan, our role is to understand what has happened, why it has happened, identify the options available to you, and help determine the best way forward.
Complex Immigration Matters
While many advisers focus primarily on straightforward visa applications, our team regularly assists with complex and challenging immigration matters, including:
- Immigration New Zealand concerns and investigations
- Health issues and medical waivers
- Character issues, criminal convictions and character waivers
- Requests to waive age, English language and other policy requirements
- Declined visa applications
- Complex family and relationship matters
- Visa cancellations and breaches of visa conditions
- Employer compliance issues
- Formal complaints and reviews
- Immigration and Protection Tribunal (IPT) appeals
- Unlawful status, overstaying and Section 61 requests
- Deportation Liability Notices
- Ministerial Requests and Special Directions
Many of these matters require urgent attention, specialist knowledge, careful strategy and detailed submissions.
Experience Matters
Immigration problems are rarely resolved by simply completing another application form.
Success often depends on understanding immigration law and policy, quickly identifying available options, gathering the right evidence, and presenting a well-prepared case supported by strong legal and policy arguments.
Our advisers have extensive experience managing complex casework and advocating on behalf of clients facing significant immigration challenges. This expertise is recognised throughout the immigration industry, with other immigration advisers regularly seeking our assistance with their clients' complex immigration matters.
Many people contact us believing they have reached the end of the road. In reality, there can sometimes still be a variety of options available. Every situation is different, and the availability of those options depends entirely on your individual circumstances.
Just Some of our Specialist Areas
Health & Medical Issues
Health requirements can have a significant impact on your visa eligibility. Depending on the visa category and your personal circumstances, a medical waiver may sometimes be available.
Character Issues
Criminal convictions, previous immigration breaches, providing false information. deportation histories and other character concerns do not necessarily prevent a visa from being granted. Depending on your circumstances, character waivers, special directions, or other immigration options may be available.
Unlawful Status
If you have become unlawful in New Zealand, it does not necessarily mean that all immigration options have been exhausted. Section 61 requests and other immigration strategies may sometimes provide a pathway to restoring your lawful status.
Appeals, Complaints & Reviews
If you believe a decision is incorrect, unreasonable or unfair, you may have appeal rights or access to other review mechanisms. In many cases strict timeframes apply, making early advice essential.
Ministerial Requests & Special Directions
In exceptional circumstances, discretionary intervention by the Minister of Immigration, or their delegated decision-maker, may provide a pathway where standard immigration options are no longer available.
The First Step
The first step is always to understand exactly what has happened, why it has happened, and what your current immigration position is.
We will then provide you with an honest assessment, practical advice and clear recommendations. Sometimes the answer is straightforward. Sometimes difficult conversations are required. Either way, our role is to ensure you fully understand your position and the options available to you.
More Information
How We Can Help
Every situation is different. Our experienced advisers can help you understand your current position, assess the options available, identify potential solutions, and develop a strategy to achieve the best possible outcome.
Read more
Immigration News
Explore our related News & Updates for further guidance on pathways to solve your immigration problem.
Read more
