Character requirements are a fundamental part of New Zealand immigration. All applicants must demonstrate they are of good character to be granted a visa. Understanding what this means and how character is assessed helps you prepare properly.
What Are Character Requirements?
Good Character Standard
Immigration NZ expects all visa applicants to:
Meet Standards: Be of good character.
Declare Issues: Disclose any relevant character concerns.
Provide Evidence: Police certificates and honest declarations.
Demonstrate Suitability: Show you're suitable for entry to NZ.
Why Character Matters
Safety: Protecting NZ community.
Integrity: Immigration system integrity.
Trust: Trust in applicants and immigration process.
Legal: Immigration law requirements.
What Affects Character
Criminal Convictions
Convictions are central to character assessment:
All Convictions: Must declare all criminal convictions.
All Countries: From any country, not just NZ.
Spent Convictions: Even spent/expunged convictions may need declaring.
Traffic Offenses: May need to declare depending on severity.
Types of Offenses
Serious Offenses:
- Violent crimes
- Sexual offenses
- Drug offenses
- Fraud and dishonesty
- Repeat offending
Less Serious:
- Minor traffic infractions
- Old, isolated offenses
- Juvenile offenses (may be treated differently)
Non-Criminal Character Issues
Character extends beyond convictions:
Immigration History: Visa breaches, overstaying, deportation.
Dishonesty: Fraud or misrepresentation in applications.
Security Concerns: National security issues.
Association: Association with concerning groups.
Behavior: Other conduct raising concerns.
Police Certificates
What They Are
Official Record: Official police record from a country.
Criminal History: Shows convictions and charges.
INZ Requirement: Required for most residence and some temporary visas.
Countries Required
NZ: If you've lived in NZ.
Home Country: Your country of nationality.
Residence Countries: Where you've lived for 12+ months (since age 17).
Recent: Usually within last 10 years.
Obtaining Certificates
NZ Police: Apply through Ministry of Justice.
Other Countries: Each country has own process.
FBI (US): Federal Bureau of Investigation for US checks.
ACRO (UK): UK police check provider.
Timing: Allow adequate time—some take months.
Validity
Time Limited: Certificates are time-limited.
Usually 6-12 Months: Most valid for 6-12 months from issue.
Timing: Get certificates close to when needed.
Extensions: May need new certificate if application delayed.
Character Waivers
When Waivers Apply
Character concerns don't always mean decline:
Discretion: INZ has discretion in many cases.
Waivers Available: Character waivers possible for some issues.
Case by Case: Each case assessed individually.
Not Automatic: Waivers must be applied for.
What's Considered
When assessing waiver requests:
Offense Seriousness: How serious was the offense?
Time Elapsed: How long ago?
Rehabilitation: Evidence of rehabilitation?
Pattern: Single incident or pattern?
Risk: Current risk to NZ community?
Circumstances: Circumstances of offense.
Ties to NZ: Family and other ties to NZ.
Making Your Case
For waiver applications:
Full Disclosure: Complete honesty about issues.
Context: Explain circumstances.
Evidence: Rehabilitation, character references, changed circumstances.
Professional Help: Complex cases need adviser assistance.
Specific Situations
Minor Offenses
Old Minor Offenses: Often not barriers.
Traffic Infringements: Minor traffic usually not problems.
Context: Assessed in full context.
Declare Anyway: Always declare as required.
Serious Offenses
Case by Case: Each serious case individually assessed.
Time and Rehabilitation: May matter.
No Guarantee: Serious offenses may prevent entry.
Professional Help Essential: Must have expert help.
Pending Charges
Disclose: Must declare pending charges.
May Delay: Application may await resolution.
Outcome Matters: Final outcome affects assessment.
Dishonesty in Applications
Very Serious: Fraud and misrepresentation extremely serious.
Past Dishonesty: Previous dishonesty affects current applications.
Honesty Essential: Always be truthful.
Consequences: Can result in decline and future bans.
Impact on Different Visa Types
Visitor Visas
Character Required: Basic character requirements.
Declaration: Declare convictions.
Lower Bar: Generally less scrutiny for short visits.
Work Visas
Character Check: Required to meet character requirements.
Police Certificate: May not always be required.
Declaration: Must declare any issues.
Residence Visas
Full Assessment: Thorough character assessment.
Police Certificates: Required from all relevant countries.
Higher Standard: Stricter assessment for permanent residence.
Citizenship
Highest Standard: Full character requirement for citizenship.
Recent Behavior: Recent conduct particularly important.
Good Character Period: Must be of good character for specified period.
Declaration Requirements
What to Declare
All Convictions: Every criminal conviction.
Pending Charges: Any current charges.
Previous Declines: Visa declines from any country.
Previous Deportations: Any deportation or removal.
Bans: Immigration bans from any country.
How to Declare
Application Forms: Answer character questions truthfully.
Supporting Documents: Provide relevant documentation.
Explanations: Explain issues where helpful.
Full Disclosure: Don't hide anything.
Non-Disclosure Consequences
Serious: Non-disclosure is very serious.
May Be Discovered: INZ has ways to discover undisclosed issues.
Affects Trust: Damages credibility.
Consequences: Can result in decline, cancellation, and future problems.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will old convictions stop me getting a visa?
Not necessarily. Old minor convictions often don't prevent visas. Assessment considers severity, time elapsed, and rehabilitation. Get professional advice for your specific situation.
Do I need to declare traffic tickets?
Minor traffic infringements like parking tickets usually don't need declaring. More serious driving offenses (DUI, dangerous driving) should be declared.
What if I was convicted as a juvenile?
Juvenile offenses are often treated differently and may be sealed. However, check specific requirements—some applications require disclosure of all convictions regardless of age.
Can I get residence with a criminal record?
Possibly, depending on the nature and recency of offenses. Character waivers exist for some situations. Get professional advice early in your planning.
What happens if INZ finds out about something I didn't declare?
Non-disclosure is taken very seriously. It can result in visa decline, cancellation of existing visas, and future immigration problems—potentially worse consequences than the original issue.
Concerned about character issues affecting your visa? Find a licensed immigration adviser who can assess your situation and advise on options.