[matt]

Iv just got my police checks back and Iv got 3 convictions on it :no . Im ready to submit my ITA, did anybody else have minor convictions on there reports? Mine went back 16 yrs. did NZ embassy quiery them? Should I submit a character statement with my ITA.

[Kim39]

Hi Matt,

As long as those convictions weren't anything major i wouldn't be too concerned. Traffic offences and such like aren't a concern, but major convictions such as Fraud,arson,rape and obviously are something which immigration would be interested in. As for a character reference maybe do it you not losing anything by doing that.

Good luck

Kim

[Lupin]

Sorry this is long....I couldn't link to the exact page, but I think this is what you need to know, taken from the NZIS Operations Manual (http://www.immigration.govt.nz/nzis/operations_manual/index.htm), which is well worth spending some time browsing if you think your application might stray from the average (I had slight health concerns). I'm so sorry it's sooooooo long...I couldn't decide what to chop to make it a sensible length reply and now I've got to dash out...hth

I'll come back later and cut it out if I can sort linking to the exact part

Applicants who will not normally be issued with a residence visa or granted a residence permit, unless granted a character waiver (see A5.25.1(b) below), include any person who has been:

convicted at any time of any offence against the immigration, citizenship or passport laws of any country; or
convicted at any time of any offence involving prohibited drugs; or
convicted at any time of any offence involving dishonesty; or
convicted at any time of any offence of a sexual nature; or
convicted at any time of any offence for which they were sentenced to a term of imprisonment (whether the sentence was of immediate effect or was deferred or was suspended in whole or in part); or
convicted (whether in New Zealand or not) of an offence committed at any time when the applicant was in New Zealand unlawfully or was the holder of a temporary permit or was exempt under the Act from the requirement to hold a permit, being an offence for which the Court has power to impose imprisonment for a term of 3 months or more; or
convicted at any time of any offence involving violence; or
convicted at any time during the last five years, of an offence (including a traffic offence), involving dangerous driving, driving having consumed excessive alcohol (including drunk driving and driving with a blood or breath alcohol content in excess of a specified limit) or driving having consumed drugs; or
in the course of applying for a New Zealand visa or permit, has made any statement or provided any information, evidence or submission that was false, misleading or forged, or withheld material information; or
at any time in a public speech or public comments, or public broadcast, or in publicly distributing or publishing a document:
argues that one race or colour is inherently inferior or superior to another race or colour, or
used language intended to encourage hostility or ill will against any person or group of persons on the basis of colour, race or ethnic or national origins of that person or group; or
has been, or is, a member of (or adheres or has adhered to) any organisation or group of people which (at the time of the person's membership or adherence) had objectives or principles based on:
hostility against people or groups of people on the basis of colour, race, or ethnic or national origins, or
an assumption that persons of a particular race or colour are inherently inferior or superior to other races or colours.
Note: When considering whether or not an applicant has committed an act that comes under A5.25 (i), (j) or (k) above, visa and immigration officers should establish whether, on the balance of probabilities, it is more likely than not that the applicant committed such an act.

A5.25.1 Action

Visa and immigration officers must not automatically decline residence applications on character grounds.
Officers must consider the surrounding circumstances of the application to decide whether or not they are compelling enough to justify waiving the good character requirement. The circumstances include but are not limited to the following factors as appropriate:
if applicable, the seriousness of the offence (generally indicated by the term of imprisonment or size of the fine);
whether there is more than one offence;
if applicable, the significance of the false, misleading or forged information provided, or information withheld, and whether the applicant is able to supply a reasonable and credible explanation or other evidence indicating that in supplying or withholding such information they did not intend to deceive the NZIS;
how long ago the relevant event occurred;
whether the applicant has any immediate family lawfully and permanently* (see F4.1.1) in New Zealand;
whether the applicant has some strong emotional or physical tie to New Zealand;
whether the applicant's potential contribution to New Zealand will be significant.
In the case of a person covered by A5.25(j) and (k) above, officers must consider, in addition to any relevant matters listed in A5.25.1(b) above, the following:
the length of time since the applicant publicly expressed the views, or was a member or adherent of the group or organisation, and
whether the applicant still holds the views or still belongs or adheres to the group or organisation, and any evidence of a change in views, and
the extent to which the applicant was involved in publishing or distributing the views, or the extent of involvement in the group or organisation, and
the nature of the views, or the nature of the group or organisation.
Officers must make a decision only after they have considered all relevant factors, including (if applicable):
any advice from the National Office of the NZIS, and
compliance with fairness and natural justice requirements (see A1).
Officers must record:
their consideration of the surrounding circumstances, (see paragraph (b) above), noting all factors taken into account, and
the reasons for their decision to waive or decline to waive the good character requirements.
Any decision to waive the good character requirements must be made by either:
a seconded visa officer; or
an officer with schedule 1 delegations.
Effective 15/12/2003

[Cardiff Irons]

Iv just got my police checks back and Iv got 3 convictions on it :no . Im ready to submit my ITA, did anybody else have minor convictions on there reports? Mine went back 16 yrs. did NZ embassy quiery them? Should I submit a character statement with my ITA.matt, did you disclose the convictions on your EOI? If so, I can't see there would be a major problem.

I stuck a conviction down on my EOI (a touch of serial murdering, which I passed off as a "folly of youth") and still got PR, no questions asked.




PS. The serial murdering bit is not true, it was actually a minor fracas which brought a breach of the peace charge. This is particularly important to any NZ Immigration officials who might be perusing these forums ;).

[Lupin]

PS. The serial murdering bit is not true, it was actually a minor fracas which brought a breach of the peace charge. This is particularly important to any NZ Immigration officials who might be perusing these forums

:laugh

[tchelseat]

Hey Matt,

My partner had two minor offences on his criminal record, and we typed up an explanation to include in the application. Later we realised we forgot to include the explanation. I hand delivered the application and the woman checking my documents read through his convictions and said, "Oh this is nothing to worry about. Just minor offences." Although that's not an 'official' reaction to his record, I'd say it sums up their attitude towards the minor stuff.

Best of luck!

[matt]

Thanks all for the advice, feel alot better now. ITA in the post tomorrow. Big thanks to LUPPIN77.

[Lupin]

You're welcome :)