Do you have anything you don’t want INZ to know about, such as a criminal record or a medical condition? If this is the case, you may be tempted to omit telling INZ about it or to lie on an INZ application form while answering a question. You may believe that if INZ is unaware of something that could jeopardise your New Zealand Immigration Visa application, this is in your favour.
If you’re thinking about lying to INZ, you should reconsider. There’s a good chance INZ will discover you’ve been lying, and if they do, the penalties will be severe. INZ typically demands Visa applicants to present Police Certificates from countries of citizenship and residence, as well as a formal Medical Examination by an authorised Doctor, which implies that if you have a criminal history or health condition, INZ will almost certainly find out.
If you have a criminal history or a medical issue that you are concerned could hinder your Visa application, you should get professional help before the immigration adviser in new Zealand to see how you can handle it. In many circumstances, an Immigration Adviser or Lawyer can help you find a method that will get your Visa accepted while avoiding any kind of dishonesty. Remember that Immigration Advisers and Lawyers are both obligated by the Licensed Immigration Advisers Code of Conduct and the New Zealand Law Society’s guidelines, which compel them to keep anything you tell them privately.
What happens if you lie to Immigration New Zealand when you apply for a visa?
In a nutshell, your New Zealand immigration visa application may be denied, and you may never be granted another New Zealand work visa.
A character waiver assessment will be relayed out if one is applying for a Temporary Visa and INZ determines that you have submitted false or misleading information, or withheld material facts, at any time while applying for a Visa. The following factors must be considered by an immigration officer:
- the significance of the false, misleading, or forged information provided, or information withheld, and whether the applicant can provide a reasonable and authentic explanation or any other form of evidence indicating that they did not intentionally deceive INZ by supplying or withholding such information;
- whether the applicant’s reason for travelling to New Zealand and any surrounding circumstances are compelling;
- whether the applicant’s reason for travel to New Zealand and any surrounding circumstances,
If the New Zealand immigration officer decides to deny the application, an ‘Alert’ is sent on the INZ computer system against the applicant.
A character waiver assessment will be carried out if you are applying for a temporary Visa and INZ determines that you have submitted false or misleading information, or withheld facts, at any point while applying for a New Zealand immigration visa. The following factors must be considered by an immigration officer:
- the significance of the incorrect, misleading, or falsified information provided, or information withheld, and whether the applicant can provide a reasonable and believable explanation or other evidence demonstrating that they did not intend to intentionally deceive INZ by supplying or withholding such information;
- when did the relevant event happen;
- whether the applicant has any direct family living in New Zealand legally and permanently;
- if the applicant has a strong emotional or physical connection to New Zealand;
- Whether or not the applicant’s prospective contribution to New Zealand will be substantial.
In our experience, if INZ discovers that an applicant for New Zealand immigration has lied to them for no justifiable reason, character waiver will almost certainly be denied, and the application will be denied.
