A year ago, I wrote a blog about the importance of engaging an immigration professional when dealing with complex applications with Immigration New Zealand (INZ). Today, I want to expand on that by sharing a recent success story, one that clearly demonstrates the value of professional assistance, especially in cases involving character waivers.
Many applicants underestimate how serious and nuanced a character waiver request can be. It’s not just about ticking a box and providing a few reference letters. A strong character waiver request must carefully present the facts, the circumstances, show genuine rehabilitation, and justify why INZ should approve the application despite criminal offending or the character issues. Let’s explore what a character waiver involves and how professional support helped one of our clients achieve a positive result.
What is a Character Waiver?
Everyone applying for a NZ visa must prove that they are of good character. If you have a criminal history, have provided false or misleading information, INZ can decline your application unless INZ grant you a character waiver.
The character waiver involves INZ considering all the circumstances of the offending and weighing against reasons why the applicant should be able to remain in New Zealand. When assessing whether to grant a character waiver, INZ looks at multiple factors, including:
- How long ago the incident occurred
- The nature and context of the offence
- Your personal circumstances, including ties to New Zealand
- Your reasons for applying for the visa
- Whether the offending was disclosed honestly and promptly
- The significance of any false or misleading information.
Why professional help matters/Success Story
A character waiver is not simply about checking eligibility boxes. It requires a compelling case. That is: a well-structured argument with supporting documentation and a clear explanation of why the applicant deserves a second chance. Without professional input, many applicants fail to present their case effectively, increasing the risk of a declined application.
Let me illustrate this with a success story as an example:
Our client’s story is a perfect example of how the right approach can lead to a successful outcome. After receiving a charge and eventual conviction, the client took immediate, proactive steps. They engaged in counselling, sought therapy, and completed community work voluntarily — well before submitting any visa application. Importantly, the client also contacted us early, before applying for residence, to ensure everything was handled appropriately.
Here’s how the process unfolded. The client disclosed the charge upfront in the residence application. Once convicted and sentenced, the client immediately informed INZ of the outcome. Finally, when INZ requested a character waiver, we stepped in and prepared a detailed response. Our waiver submission included a clear outline of the potential consequences if the waiver was declined, explanation of the offence and surrounding circumstance, reviewing and understanding the sentencing notes and the judge’s comments, evidence of rehabilitation steps, why employer and community support was important and relevant to the character waiver. As a result, the character waiver was granted, and our client secured a resident visa in less than a month.
When can things go wrong?
Unfortunately, not all applicants seek advice early. In a recent case we came across, an applicant failed to declare a prior conviction in earlier applications. They misunderstood it as a minor traffic offence due to the light sentence. Worse still, the agent who helped them previously never asked about character history.
When the residence application was lodged, INZ declined it on character grounds. Despite submitting several support letters and employment records, the character waiver request lacked a cohesive explanation. It failed to tell the full story in a way that would persuade INZ.
This highlights a critical point: it’s not just about the documents you submit, but how you present and explain them.
Moral of the story
If you’re dealing with character issues don’t assume it’s a minor issue and don’t leave it to chance. Even a single conviction, such as drink driving, can impact your application. INZ expects a detailed, well-reasoned request for a character waiver, not a stack of unrelated documents.
Professional immigration advice can make all the difference. It reduces risk, ensures transparency, and increases your chances of a successful outcome. At the very least, it gives you peace of mind knowing your case is being handled with care and expertise.
If you’re facing a similar situation or have questions about your eligibility, don’t hesitate to get in touch. We’re here to help you navigate the process and put your best case forward.