What convictions stop entry to New Zealand?

You’ve booked your flight, sorted your plans & you’re ready for a fresh start. But there’s one detail that can ground your journey before it even begins: your criminal record.

For many travellers, students, workers & future residents, the biggest hurdle isn’t a missing document—it’s character requirements.

So, what convictions stop entry to New Zealand & what can you do if you’ve got a history you must declare?

The “Why” First: What INZ Is Really Checking

New Zealand is serious about public safety & security. Immigration New Zealand (INZ) applies character requirements to manage risk, not to punish people twice. Officers assess whether an applicant poses a risk to the community or public interest. That means your convictions, conduct, deportation history, honesty & current risk all matter.

And honesty is non-negotiable: full disclosure is essential. Failing to declare can be worse than the offence itself because it causes further character concerns!

The Big Red Lines: Convictions That Commonly Block Entry

While each visa is approved on a case-by-case basis, INZ’s rules include clear thresholds. If any apply, you won’t meet character requirements (however, it's not a dead end, as you may be eligible for a character waiver). These rules include:

1. Imprisonment - Imprisonable offences are usually more serious than ones where only fines are given. Depending on whether you're applying for a temporary or resident visa, the length of imprisonment that breaks that threshold is different.

2. Deportation / removal / exclusion history - Prior immigration-related offences outside New Zealand tell INZ that you are likely to behave the same way here. The timing and context matter (e.g., how long ago, which country & why).

3. Security & public order risks - Indicators such as gang involvement, organised criminal activity, or violent / extremist conduct can lead to refusal. This isn’t a single “automatic bar” on its own, but it’s a major red flag in the overall risk assessment.

4. Deception - Providing false or misleading information, or failing to declare required information, is itself a ground for refusal & can affect future applications. It's especially worse if it's in a current application, compared to a previous one. Take a note from this to read all the questions on your application forms VERY carefully, e.g. they ask you to declare ALL convictions, including expunged records.

5. Current charges or investigations - These must be declared. They’re not convictions, but they can influence how INZ assesses risk & may delay or negatively affect a decision.

Applies to all visa types: Visitor, student, work, and residence applicants must meet character requirements. The exact legal routes to approval differ between residence & temporary applications.

What You Must Declare (and What Usually Doesn’t Count)

• Declare these:

  • Any court conviction, including drink driving / DUI & assault

  • Imprisonment sentences, even if suspended or partly served

  • Pending charges, current investigations, and non-spent convictions (declare as asked on the form)

  • Deportation / removal / exclusion bans from any country, including New Zealand

  • Expunged, spent, or sealed convictions from overseas – even if your home country considers them wiped, Immigration New Zealand requires you to declare them. INZ does not automatically recognise other countries’ rehabilitation systems & failing to disclose can be treated as misrepresentation. There is no enforceable requirement to declare New Zealand convictions that are covered by the Clean Slate Act 2004.

  

  Visa applications expressly ask you to declare expunged / cleared convictions.

  • Name changes or identity discrepancies related to past records

    • Usually not a conviction:

      • Minor traffic infringements, like some speeding tickets (administrative fines). If it went to court and you were convicted, you must declare it.

      • Police Safety Orders

When in doubt, declare it. Non-disclosure harms credibility & can lead to refusal even if the underlying issue was minor or concealment was unintentional.

How INZ Actually Assesses Risk (Beyond the Headlines)

INZ doesn’t stop at the offence label. Officers consider:

• Seriousness and nature of the offence(s)

• Sentence imposed (fines vs. imprisonment, total term, suspended sentence)

• How long ago it occurred & your age at the time

• Pattern (single isolated event vs. multiple or escalating behaviour)

• Rehabilitation: treatment, programmes, abstinence, stable employment, positive references

• Purpose of travel: genuine study, skilled work, family, or tourism

• Support & stability in New Zealand (employer, family, community)

👉 Read more about how INZ deals with character concerns.

A strong, well-documented case can make all the difference—especially where a character waiver is needed.

Can You Still Get a Visa If You Have Convictions?

Yes, sometimes. Outcomes depend on the type of visa & the nature of your history. In most cases, you need to be assessed for eligibility for a Character Waiver. If this fails, you may still be able to request Special Direction from the Minister, but these are exceptionally difficult to obtain & granted very sparingly.

What is a "Character Waiver"

This is when INZ chooses to "remove" the character requirements for the person who doesn't meet them, to enable them to become eligible for a visa. However, people with very serious offences covered by Section 15 & Section 16 of the Immigration Act 2009 do not qualify for this.

What is "Special Direction"

This is when you don't qualify for a "Character Waiver" & INZ's Minister chooses to "remove" the requirements for the person who doesn't meet them, to enable them to become eligible for a visa. However, they are only done in very special circumstances.

What To Do If You Have a Record (Action Plan)

Here’s a practical checklist to give yourself the best chance:

✅ Tell the truth, the whole truth - Disclose every required detail of your convictions, charges, deportations & investigations. If a question seems broad, answer broadly.

✅ Collect the paperwork - Court records, sentencing notes, completion certificates (e.g., programs, community service), probation / parole confirmations, police reports (if available).

✅ Prove rehabilitation - Letters from employers, community leaders, treatment providers, mentors. Show clean time, stability & positive contribution.

✅ Explain clearly - A concise statement detailing what happened, what’s changed & why it won’t happen again. Own it; avoid minimising or blaming.

✅Get professional help - An experienced Licensed Immigration Adviser can identify risks early, present your case persuasively & avoid expensive visa refusals.

FAQ: What Convictions Stop Entry to New Zealand?

Q: Do traffic offences count as convictions?

If you were convicted in court (e.g., drink driving/DUI), yes—declare it. Administrative traffic fines without a conviction are usually not convictions.

Q: If my conviction was a long time ago, do I still need to declare it?

Yes. Old convictions are still convictions. Time since the offence helps your case, but doesn’t remove the duty to disclose.

Q: I’ve been sentenced to prison. Am I permanently barred?

Outcomes are case-specific. You will need a professional to look into your history & determine if it's "caught" by any rules & if so, what options you have available.

Q: What happens if I don’t declare and INZ finds out?

Expect refusal & potential negative consequences for future applications. Credibility is central; non-disclosure is often more damaging than the offence. INZ communicates with various third parties to gather background information about you, including classified information. Even if they don't find out during the application process, a visa granted based on false information will be revoked once this information comes out. Not only that, but you could potentially face more serious consequences like deportation & prohibitions on entry (bans).

Q: Can I visit NZ with a drink-driving conviction?

Possibly, depending on the sentence, recency & pattern. A fine-only, isolated conviction often isn’t fatal, but it must be declared & assessed in context.

Q: Do I need to declare expunged or cleared convictions from another country?

Yes. Even if your home country treats them as wiped, INZ requires full disclosure. Failure to declare can be treated as false or misleading information, which is often more damaging than the offence itself.

The Bottom Line

What convictions stop entry to New Zealand? Serious convictions are more likely to stand in your way, but INZ assesses risk holistically; they can consider honesty & rehabilitation. Many applicants with past mistakes succeed because they declare everything, document their progress & present a credible, low-risk case with the support of a knowledgeable Immigration Lawyer or Licensed Immigration Adviser.

Need Expert Assistance? Talk to Success Hacker

If you’re unsure how your record affects your visa or whether you need a character waiver or a Special Direction, don’t guess. Get tailored advice from Success Hacker, a consultancy operated by a Licensed Immigration Adviser in New Zealand.

Get in touch today for a confidential, practical plan tailored to your situation.