Immigration

Clear pathways to immigration, with professional advice on requirements and visa options.
McVeagh Fleming’s immigration team is known for handling some of the most complex and high-stakes immigration matters in New Zealand. Led by Immigration Partner Arran Hunt, one of the country’s leading immigration lawyers, the team has a proven record of success, including arguably the best results achieved before the New Zealand Immigration & Protection Tribunal (IPT).

From visa applications and employer accreditation to character and health issues, deportation proceedings, and appeals, our lawyers bring deep expertise and practical insight to every case. As a full-service law firm, we work seamlessly with specialists across employment, family, property, and tax law to ensure clients receive comprehensive and strategic advice that addresses every aspect of their situation.
Feature imageFeature imageFeature image

"We had the pleasure of dealing with Arran Hunt for our immigration needs. He is super smart and efficient with the way he works. Highly recommend him for any of your immigration needs..."
Mal Ally

Our Approach to Immigration

We believe in providing exceptional service with transparency and accessibility. Clients should feel comfortable contacting their legal advisor for updates, and we regularly monitor the progress of all applications, keeping you informed. We also provide clients with copies of any submissions or responses before they are submitted, ensuring accuracy and clarity in every step. Clients can also access their applications on request, offering complete visibility throughout the process.

At McVeagh Fleming, we understand the financial concerns of clients. To offer clarity and cost certainty, we provide fixed fees for most services. Our fees are competitive, and many clients come to us after paying higher fees for lower-quality service elsewhere.

Honesty is at the heart of our approach. We prioritize your time and money by being transparent about your eligibility. Unlike other firms, we do not submit applications that we believe are unlikely to succeed. If we believe an application will face significant challenges, we advise clients to explore other options, ensuring that they do not waste resources. Declined applications can have long-term consequences, potentially affecting future visa applications in other countries. We work proactively to avoid declines, guiding you through realistic options.

We also take an honest approach with Immigration New Zealand. If issues arise, we will address them directly, fostering a trusted relationship with the immigration officers. This openness leads to smoother resolutions and strengthens our working rapport with Immigration New Zealand.

By choosing McVeagh Fleming, you’re trusting experts in immigration law with years of experience. We prioritize transparency, excellent customer service, and access to related expertise to ensure your application has the best chance of success.

It all starts with a conversation

Complete the form and we'll be in touch.
Thank you! Your enquiry has been received!
Oops! Something went wrong while submitting the form.

Immigration Visas

Learn about the different types of visa pathways, and which is relevant to your situation. Our team is available for a conversation to talk you through your situation and how we can potentially help you with an application process.

Issues & Appeals

Difficult cases, issues and appeals is something that we can help you navigate. Let our experienced team help you avoid issues, understand what checks are made and be aware of your rights.

Immigration & Protection Tribunal (IPT) Appeals
For many, the Immigration Protection Tribunal will be their final opportunity for a visa, either seeking to overturn an Immigration New Zealand decision or appealing on humanitarian grounds. These are significant applications and are effectively an appeal being submitted to a tribunal at the same level as the District Court. For this reason, we would always recommend that such appeals be made by a lawyer with expertise in this area.

Character & Health Issues

Issues as to character and health can arise in any application, and character issues could arise when supporting an application. However, the approach to each can vary depending on several factors such as the visa application time, and the history of the applicant.

Deportation
Facing deportation is one of the most challenging situations a migrant can experience. Deportation not only ends a person's time in New Zealand but can also have lasting consequences.

Licenced Immigration Advisor Support


At McVeagh Fleming, we understand the value of Licensed Immigration Advisors (LIAs) working with a firm that has broad expertise and resources. Few firms in New Zealand can offer the combination of immigration, dispute resolution, family law, and general legal expertise that we provide. Whether you need support for day-to-day operations or more complex matters, our team is uniquely positioned to assist.

Employers & Accreditation

Accreditation is not limited to hiring staff on work visas. Employers seeking to support a residence application through employment must also hold accreditation at some stage of the process. Even employers hiring workers on open work visas risk losing staff if they cannot offer a pathway to residence.
Avatar photoAvatar photoAvatar photo

It all starts with a conversation

Need help? Click the button below to request a conversation with someone from our team.

Team leadership

Our latest insights

This is some text inside of a div block.
NZ permits wealthy foreign investors to buy $5M+ homes via Active Investor Plus visa, boosting investment without affecting housing affordability.
This is some text inside of a div block.

NZ eases foreign buyer ban for high-value home investors

New Zealand is opening the door to wealthy investors in a controlled way, with the goal of allowing them to bring significant capital into the country’s economy without affecting the broader housing market. This targeted move signals the government’s focus on attracting international investment while keeping residential property accessible for local buyers.
READ MORE
This is some text inside of a div block.
If your business employs migrant workers, stay compliant with employment law. A single breach, even if unintentional, can trigger formal enforcement: stand-down
This is some text inside of a div block.

How employers can avoid the immigration stand-down list

If your business employs migrant workers, staying compliant with employment law is critical. A single breach, even if unintentional, can trigger formal enforcement action that places you on Immigration New Zealand’s public “stand-down list.” Once there, you lose the ability to hire or sponsor migrant workers for months or even years. For accredited employers, that can mean stalled recruitment, unfilled roles, and serious disruption to business operations.
READ MORE
This is some text inside of a div block.
Auckland, New Zealand Lawyers. Legal support without borders. McVeagh Fleming Lawyers' global network connection to international law firms through Ally Law.
This is some text inside of a div block.

Legal support without borders

Whether you're expanding internationally, navigating regulatory obligations, managing global teams, or dealing with cross-border transactions and disputes, trusted legal support with strong global connections gives your business a real advantage.
READ MORE

Frequently asked questions

Some things worth knowing about the immigration process.
What are the consequences of deportation from New Zealand?
Deportation can end a person's stay in New Zealand and restrict future travel, as many countries, including New Zealand, limit visa eligibility for individuals deported from any country. Deportation can also impact family members or dependents whose visa status is tied to the deported person.
What should you do if you're at risk of deportation?
Address the situation urgently by seeking expert legal assistance. You may need to appeal to the Immigration and Protection Tribunal or request Immigration New Zealand to reconsider their decision within strict time limits. Experienced lawyers can build a case using legal arguments, past Tribunal decisions, and evidence of special circumstances.
What are the differences between character and health issues in immigration applications?
Character Issues: Focus on past actions and potential risks to New Zealand. These can include criminal convictions or allegations of misleading Immigration New Zealand.
Health Issues: Look at future costs to New Zealand's healthcare system. Applicants may need to seek waivers for certain health or character concerns.
What is required for employers to hire migrants under the Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV) scheme?
Employers must be accredited by Immigration New Zealand, demonstrating they are legitimate businesses, financially stable, and compliant with laws. Employers must also secure job checks for specific roles and adhere to compliance measures, such as notifying Immigration New Zealand if a migrant worker’s employment ends early.
What is the General Visitor Visa, and how can applicants improve their chances
of approval?
The General Visitor Visa allows for single or multiple entries, enabling visits of up to six months within a 12-month period. Applicants must demonstrate they are genuine visitors with plans to leave New Zealand after their stay. Proper documentation, such as proof of purpose and intent to leave, increases the likelihood of approval.

It all starts with a conversation

Need help? Click the button below to request contact with someone from our team.