What is a Section 61 request?

If you are unlawfully in New Zealand (for example, your visa has expired), a Section 61 request asks Immigration New Zealand to grant you a new visa at their absolute discretion. These are complex and time-sensitive — professional advice is strongly recommended.

Can you help if my visa application was declined?

Yes. We assist with appeals to the Immigration and Protection Tribunal (IPT), reconsideration requests, and Ministerial interventions. Time limits are strict, so contact us as soon as possible after a decline.

What is a character waiver?

If you have a criminal conviction or have previously breached immigration conditions, you may need a character waiver to be granted a visa. We help present your case for why a waiver should be granted.

I have overstayed my visa. What are my options?

Your options depend on your circumstances and may include a Section 61 request or other avenues. Do not leave it — the sooner you get licensed advice, the more options you are likely to have.

Declined Visa, Appeals and Section 61 — Auckland Immigration Advisers

If your visa has been declined, or you are in New Zealand unlawfully, you have options — but they are time-limited, and the right one depends on details that are easy to get wrong.

Reconsideration applies where a temporary visa was declined and you are still lawfully in New Zealand. It asks Immigration New Zealand to look again at the same application.

An appeal to the Immigration and Protection Tribunal is a separate process with its own grounds and its own deadlines, and it is not simply a second opinion on the merits.

A Section 61 request applies where you are already unlawfully in New Zealand. It is a request for absolute discretion, there is no right to it, and how the request is framed matters enormously.

Choosing the wrong one, or missing a deadline, can close off the option you actually needed. The deadlines here are short and they are not generally extendable.

We also advise on the cases that aren't declines but are difficult for other reasons — character waivers, medical waivers, requests for further information (PPI letters) that need a substantive response rather than a quick one, and situations where an earlier application contained something that now needs explaining.

If you've received a decline or a PPI letter, get advice early. The strongest response is almost always the first one, and options narrow as time passes.

Situations we often help with

A temporary visa declined while you're still lawfully in New Zealand
A residence decline, or liability for deportation
Being unlawfully in New Zealand and needing to regularise your status
Responding to a PPI letter
Character and medical waivers
Requests for ministerial intervention

Questions clients often ask

How long do I have to act after a decline?

Not long. Deadlines are short, often days or a few weeks, they depend on the type of decision, and they run from the date of the decision. Your decision letter states the deadline. Check it straight away and get advice before it passes.

Can I make more than one Section 61 request?

You can make a further request, but Immigration New Zealand is not obliged to consider it, and there is no right of appeal. That's why the first request needs to be as strong as possible. See our Section 61 guide.

I've received a PPI letter. What should I do?

Treat it as your chance to respond before a decision is made. It has a deadline, and it needs a substantive answer backed by evidence. Our PPI letter guide explains how to approach it.

Book a 30-minute consultation ($99 incl. GST where applicable, credited to your professional fee if you engage us within 3 months), call +64 9 213 1677, or message us on WhatsApp.

Working with us

Here's what to expect when you engage us.

How it works

Initial consultation. We talk through your situation, your goals and anything in your history that Immigration New Zealand will want to know about.
Case analysis and quote. We assess your options against current Immigration New Zealand rules and give you a written quote.
Service agreement. We agree the scope of work and our fees with you in writing before any work starts, as the Licensed Immigration Advisers Code of Conduct requires.
Document checklist. You receive a checklist tailored to your application, so you know exactly what to gather.
Preparing your application. We prepare your application and any supporting submissions, and check every document before anything goes to Immigration New Zealand.
Submission with your approval. Nothing is lodged until you have reviewed and approved the final application.
Through to a decision. We handle all contact with Immigration New Zealand on your behalf until a decision is made.

Fees

Our initial consultation is 30 minutes for $99 (incl. GST where applicable), invoiced afterwards and credited to your professional fee if you engage us within 3 months. Every case is different, so we quote after the initial consultation, once we understand your situation. Your quote, and exactly what it covers, is confirmed in your written service agreement before any work begins.

Timelines

We can usually meet you the same day or the next day, or at another time that suits you. Once your application is lodged, the processing time is set by Immigration New Zealand and varies by visa type. INZ publishes its current processing times here: How long it takes to process an application (Immigration New Zealand).

Your adviser

Your application is handled by Ishvinder Singh, Licensed Immigration Adviser (IAA licence 201401130).

Our results

You can see examples of our published ministerial and appeal outcomes on our homepage.

Book a consultation