Stop Your Deportation: Expert Help for Your New Zealand Visa
Are you worried about being forced to leave New Zealand? If you are “liable for deportation,” please do not lose hope. Even in serious situations, there is a legal way to stay. With our expert help, you have the best chance to fix your visa and stop deportation. Book a consultation with us today to learn your options.
If you stay in New Zealand after your visa has expired, you are here “unlawfully.” This means you are liable for deportation. Immigration New Zealand (INZ) may send you a Deportation Liability Notice (DLN).
Being liable for deportation is serious. You could be detained (held by authorities) or banned from coming back to New Zealand for many years. However, the law allows you to fight this. Depending on your situation, you can ask an independent court called the IPT to let you stay.
The IPT is an independent group of judges. They do not work for Immigration New Zealand. Their job is to listen to your side of the story and decide if INZ’s decision to deport you was fair.
Important facts about the IPT:
- Anyone can appeal: It does not matter if you have a work visa, a resident visa, or no visa at all: you have the right to appeal.
- Independent decisions: The IPT can overrule INZ and grant you a visa to stay.
- The process is complex: Appealing to the IPT involves difficult legal paperwork. In 2026, most appeals are decided “on the papers” (using only your written documents), so your application must be perfect.
To win your case, we must prove one of two things to the Tribunal:
- Based on the facts: We prove that INZ made a mistake. For example, they might think you broke a visa rule when you actually followed it.
- Humanitarian grounds: We prove that your situation is very special. We must show that deporting you would be “unduly harsh” or unjust for you and your family (for example, if you have children who are New Zealand citizens or a serious medical need).
If you win, the IPT can cancel your deportation or give you a “stay of execution,” which lets you stay in New Zealand for up to 5 more years.
You must act very fast. If you miss the deadline, the IPT cannot help you. The 2026 deadlines are very strict:
| Your Situation | Time to Appeal |
|---|---|
| Your visa expired (You are unlawful) | 42 days from the day your visa ended. |
| You received a Deportation Liability Notice | 28 days from the day you got the letter. |
| You were given a visa by mistake | 28 days from the notice. |
| Character issues or criminal convictions | 28 days from the notice. |
Note: In 2026, new laws allow for electronic monitoring (GPS bracelets) instead of detention while your case is being decided. We can help you apply for this so you can stay at home with your family during the appeal.
Appealing a deportation is your “last chance.” Because the judges usually don’t meet you in person, your written evidence must be very strong.
Our Auckland-based team of licensed immigration advisers are experts in deportation law. We will:
- Find the best humanitarian reasons for you to stay.
- Gather all the documents and letters you need to prove your case.
- Write a professional legal submission for the IPT judges.
We know this is a stressful time for your family. To make things easier, under our No Surprises Promise, we offer:
- Fixed fees: Our typical fee for a Deportation Appeal is NZ$ 3,000 to $5,500 (+GST). You will know the exact cost before we start.
- Honest advice: We will tell you clearly if your case is strong or weak. We never give false hope.
- Constant updates: We will track your appeal (which currently takes 8-10 months) and tell you every update immediately.