Special Directions: Your Final Pathway Through Ministerial Discretion
Non-compliance with a special direction is a breach of your visa conditions and may result in your visa being canceled. In the complex world of immigration law, a Special Direction is often the “final door” for those who do not fit into standard categories. We provide the expert legal drafting required to present your case directly to the Minister, helping you navigate this high-stakes process with precision.
01. Introduction
Immigration New Zealand (INZ) follows the law to the letter. If you do not qualify for a resident or temporary visa – often due to rigorous Character Issues or Medical Issues – simply fighting the system within standard policy will rarely work.
However, not all is lost. If your case is truly exceptional, the Minister of Immigration (or their delegated associate) has the power to issue a Special Direction. This unique legal tool allows the Minister to “waive” or bypass specific immigration rules that would otherwise prevent you from obtaining a visa. It is a pathway reserved for those who can show that their presence brings a significant and unique benefit to New Zealand.
The Minister holds “absolute discretion” under the Immigration Act 2009. This means they have the authority to decide which criteria your application must satisfy and can even lay down custom terms and conditions that don’t exist in standard policy.
Important facts about Special Directions:
- No automatic right: No person has a legal right to be granted a Special Direction; it is a privilege, not an entitlement.
- Custom conditions: The Minister can grant you a visa but attach specific requirements (such as staying in a certain region or working for a specific employer) that you must follow.
- Ministerial independence: These decisions are made at the highest level of the government and do not require approval from the House of Representatives.
No, it is not. Special Directions are rare and are only granted in cases that are genuinely “out of the ordinary.” Because the Minister receives thousands of requests, yours must stand out as professionally prepared, factually undeniable, and supported by compelling evidence.
This is often your last chance to remain in or enter New Zealand. At Professional Visa Solutions, we have years of experience drafting these high-level Ministerial submissions. We work to identify the specific humanitarian or economic angles that will resonate with the Minister’s office. Book a 100% free consultation for an honest evaluation of your chances.
A Special Direction is typically the way forward if you are an “excluded person” (someone prohibited from entry due to past issues) or if you have a medical condition that standard policy cannot accommodate, yet your presence is vital to New Zealand.
Common uses for a Special Direction in 2026 include:
- Character Waivers: Allowing entry for those with past legal or deportation issues from other countries.
- Medical Exceptions: Overcoming a “not of an acceptable standard of health” (ASH) finding for critical workers or family members.
- Fee & requirement waivers: Bypassing standard lodgement fees or specific paperwork requirements in exceptional circumstances.
- Inviting residency: The Minister can personally invite an individual to apply for residency even if they haven’t gone through the standard EOI process.
- Varying conditions: Changing the “work-rights” or stay-duration of a visa that is otherwise locked by law.
Professional Visa Solutions is committed to transparency. While these are some of the most complex legal submissions in immigration law, we keep our rates competitive.
- Professional fees: Our typical fees for a Ministerial Special Direction request range from NZD $3,000 – $5,500 (+GST).
- 2026 VAC service fees: Please note that as of January 1, 2026, if your request is submitted via a Visa Application Centre (VAC) in one of 26 designated countries, a revised service fee will apply.
- “No Surprises” Promise: We provide a fixed-fee quote after our initial assessment, so you know exactly what your investment will be before we approach the Minister.
Contact us to see if you can benefit from a Special Direction. Book a 100% free consultation and speak with our professional immigration advisers.