by Simon Laurent, Lawyer | Apr 9, 2026 | Blog |
I frequently get asked to write expert opinions for the NZ Courts about how a criminal conviction will harm someone’s visa status and their future prospects of staying in the country. Criminal lawyers ask me to do these for their clients, in the hope that the... 
by James Turner, Senior Solicitor | Mar 25, 2026 | Blog |
Immigration matters with little or no chance of success Sometimes we are approached by a client regarding an immigration matter, but we tell the client their matter has little or no chance of success. At Laurent Law we will tell a client if we believe this. This is... by Sahar Shamia, Senior Solicitor | Mar 11, 2026 | Blog |
The New Zealand Government has released further details about upcoming changes to the Skilled Migrant Category (SMC). These changes, first announced in September 2025, will introduce two new pathways to residence and update several key requirements. The new settings... by Simon Laurent, Lawyer | Feb 25, 2026 | Blog |
In any application for a NZ Resident Visa, everyone has to follow the rules. The visa applicant has to do it. So do visa officers. They are not allowed to make exceptions outside of Government Residence Instructions. While this creates obstacles to getting an... 
by James Turner, Senior Solicitor | Feb 11, 2026 | Blog |
I recently travelled by car to New Plymouth, in part to spend some time with a family member but also in part to see and enjoy some of what New Zealand has to offer by road. I very much enjoyed the trip. In my recent blog about my trip to Melbourne, Australia, I... by Sahar Shamia, Senior Solicitor | Jan 28, 2026 | Blog |
Immigration decisions have life-changing consequences. They determine whether families can live together, whether children are born with both parents present, and whether people can lawfully visit loved ones in New Zealand. For offshore visa applicants, however, these...