Immigration Advice

Immigration decisions can affect your family, your workforce and your future in New Zealand. Foley Douglas provides clear, strategic legal advice to individuals, families, investors and employers.

Whether you are considering your first New Zealand visa, planning a pathway to residence, employing migrant workers or dealing with a difficult immigration issue, we help you understand the requirements, identify the risks and move forward with a clear plan.

Book an immigration consultation

Tell Us About Your Situation

Speak directly with an immigration lawyer about your options and next steps.

How can we help?

Skilled migrants and residence

Your next visa should support your longer-term plans. We advise skilled migrants on temporary visas, work-to-residence options, Skilled Migrant Category residence, Green List pathways and the effect of employment, qualifications and family circumstances on future eligibility.

We can assess your current position, explain the available pathways and help you make informed decisions before you change jobs, undertake further study or commit to a particular application.

Employers and migrant workers

Employing migrant workers brings immigration, employment and compliance obligations. We support employers with accreditation, renewals, job checks, Accredited Employer Work Visas and the ongoing management of immigration-related risks.

Because Foley Douglas also advises on employment and commercial law, we can address the wider issues that often arise when immigration status, employment agreements, business changes and workforce planning overlap.

Investors and business migrants

We advise individuals and families considering investment and business-based immigration to New Zealand.

Our support can include visa strategy, evidence planning, source and transfer of funds issues, family applications and coordination with financial, accounting and investment professionals.

Partners and families

We help couples and families understand their temporary and residence options, prepare appropriate relationship evidence and address issues that may complicate an application.

Our advice includes partnership-based visas, dependent children, parent categories and family applications involving unusual or sensitive circumstances.

Complex applications, declined visas and appeals

Immigration problems are often easier to address when legal advice is obtained early.

We assist clients responding to Immigration New Zealand concerns, including requests for further information, potentially prejudicial information, medical or character issues and questions about the credibility or sufficiency of evidence.

We also advise on declined applications, reconsideration, Immigration and Protection Tribunal appeals, deportation matters, special directions and humanitarian requests.

Humanitarian matters

We provide confidential advice and representation in humanitarian immigration matters.

This includes claims and appeals, complex visa status issues, deportation liability and matters involving significant personal or humanitarian considerations.

Why choose Foley Douglas?

Strategic legal advice

We do more than prepare forms. We consider the legal requirements, evidential risks and longer-term consequences of each available pathway.

Clear recommendations

Immigration instructions and policy can be difficult to interpret. We explain what matters, what may create risk and what we recommend you do next.

Immigration and employment expertise

For employers, immigration and employment obligations are closely connected. Our wider legal expertise allows us to address the full situation rather than one application in isolation.

Support for straightforward and complex matters

We assist clients planning ahead as well as those facing deadlines, declined applications, compliance concerns or other difficult immigration issues.

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I speak to an immigration lawyer?

You should consider obtaining advice before making an application where your circumstances are complex, your long-term plans depend on the outcome, or an incorrect application could affect your future options.

You should seek advice promptly if Immigration New Zealand has raised concerns, requested further information, declined an application or imposed a deadline.

Can you assess whether I qualify for New Zealand residence?

Yes. We can assess your employment, occupation, qualifications, income, work experience, age, family circumstances and immigration history against the available residence pathways.

Residence policy changes over time, so eligibility should be assessed against the requirements in force at the relevant time.

Can you review an application I prepared myself?

Yes. We can review an application or supporting evidence before it is submitted. We can identify missing evidence, inconsistencies and issues that may require further explanation.

Can you help after Immigration New Zealand has declined my visa?

Yes. We can review the decision and advise whether reconsideration, a new application, an appeal or another immigration option may be available.

The available options and deadlines depend on the type of application and the applicant’s circumstances.

Do you assist New Zealand employers?

Yes. We advise employers on accreditation, renewals, job checks, Accredited Employer Work Visas, immigration compliance and changes affecting migrant employees.

We can also provide related employment and commercial advice.

Do I need an immigration lawyer for a straightforward application?

Not every person requires full legal representation. However, obtaining advice before applying can be valuable where you are uncertain about eligibility, evidence requirements or the effect of the application on future visa or residence options.

We can provide one-off strategic advice or a document review without managing the entire application.

Can you deal directly with Immigration New Zealand?

Yes. When formally instructed, we can communicate with Immigration New Zealand, prepare legal submissions, respond to concerns and manage the application or immigration matter on your behalf.

Speak With an Immigration Lawyer

Immigration decisions can have long-term consequences. Obtaining advice early can help you avoid unnecessary delay, identify potential problems and choose a pathway that supports your broader objectives.

Contact Saska Hayes at Foley Douglas to discuss your immigration circumstances and the next steps available to you.

Book an immigration consultation