Hey,
I'm about to apply for a visa to New Zealand. Will my chances of success be effected by a previous police caution for possession of cannabis? (a very tiny amount at that!) Will I have to declare this on the form? Its a real worry especially as I dont consider myself a criminal! It happened about 2 years ago and I think it will be on record for 5 years. Any info would be appreciated!

Good character
To grant you a New Zealand visa or permit we need to be assured that you and any family included in your application are of good character. We make this requirement to protect the well being and security of New Zealanders.

Under section 7(1) of the Immigration Act we will not grant you a visa or permit if:

* you have been convicted and sentenced to imprisonment for 5 years or more (this applies even if any of your offenses have later been taken off the record)
* in the past 10 years you were convicted and sentenced to imprisonment for 12 months or more
* currently, you have a removal order from New Zealand in force against you
* you have been deported from any country, including New Zealand
* you have been involved in terrorist activities, or belonged to or supported any organization involved in terrorist activities
* it is believed you are likely to commit – or to assist others to commit – criminal or drug offenses, or an act of terrorism, in New Zealand
* it is believed you are likely – due to any international circumstances – to be a danger to New Zealand’s security or public order
* it is believed you are associated with an organization or group that has criminal objectives or is engaged in criminal activities and for that – or any other reason – you’re considered to be a threat to the public interest or public order of New Zealand.

We carry out character checks on everyone 17 years or over included in residence applications or applying for temporary entry for 24 months or longer. We may also undertake a character check on anyone else that we consider may not meet our character requirements.

Providing evidence of good character
If you are coming to New Zealand for 24 months or longer you'll have to provide police certificates as evidence of your good character. We need to see certificates:

* everyone 17 years and over included in your application for residence
* everyone 17 years and over included in your application for a temporary visa and/or permit for 24 months or longer.

We need certificates from:

* your country of citizenship (unless you can prove you never lived there)
and

if you are applying for residence:

* any country you have been in for 12 months or more in the last 10 years, whether in one or more visits. If you are already in New Zealand, for example, under our Work to Residence category, this includes obtaining a police certificate from the New Zealand police,
or

if you are applying for a temporary entry visa and/or permit:

* any country you’ve lived in for 5 or more years since turning 17.