Can I immigrate to New Zealand with a criminal record?

New Zealand immigration law requires that immigrant applicants have good conduct. In general, it is difficult for applicants with criminal records to be approved. However, having a criminal record does not mean that you are completely ineligible for immigration. Some minor criminal records can apply for exemption.

Cases where it is completely impossible to immigrate to New Zealand with a criminal record include:

Being sentenced to more than five years;

Has been sentenced to more than 1 year before applying for immigration to New Zealand;

Be banned from entering New Zealand;

Be repatriated by other countries and refused entry.

In addition, if the New Zealand Immigration Bureau believes that the applicant may bring risks to New Zealand, it will also reject the applicant's immigration application.