Alcohol-related charges: Impact on Visas

Alcohol-related charges can have a serious impact on your visa and future immigration prospects. What may be perceived as a minor offense or misdemeanour back home can have serious consequences in New Zealand. 

MBIE’s General Manager Immigration Compliance and Investigations, Steve Watson, says that in some areas across the country, increasing numbers of migrant workers in construction, tourism, and hospitality are facing alcohol-related charges and court appearances.

Deportation may be the outcome for migrants who commit crimes in New Zealand. The decision to deport is made by looking at the total picture of an individual’s circumstances. This may include:

• What the criminal offence is
• How long they have been in New Zealand
• Whether they have family in New Zealand
• What their job is
• The skill set of the individual
• Whether there are any humanitarian factors present which relate to New Zealand’s international obligations

INZ compares the risks of their offending with the value they bring to New Zealand and balances that against a careful assessment of their character. Deportation can affect a migrant’s ability to return to New Zealand and their ability to visit other countries.

Furthermore, a crime committed in the past can be picked up in future applications as well. Even if you have been granted a character waiver for a temporary visa, you will be questioned on it again in the residence application.

If you face alcohol-related charges in New Zealand, our licensed immigration advisers can help you understand the impact of this on your visas.