Deportation Liability Notice

Receiving a Deportation Liability Notice (DLN) from Immigration New Zealand (INZ) can be a frightening and overwhelming experience. But it does not always mean you will be deported from the country. In many cases, there are still options available, especially if acted on quickly and with the right legal support. This guide explains what a DLN is, why it is issued, your rights, and what steps you can take.

What Is a Deportation Liability Notice (DLN)?

A DLN is a formal notice from Immigration New Zealand informing you that you may be deported from New Zealand. It sets out:

• The legal reason for your deportation
• Your appeal rights (if any)
• Deadlines for taking action

A DLN is not the same as a deportation order; it gives you a window of time to respond or appeal. But if you take no action, a deportation order may follow, and you can be forcibly removed from New Zealand.

Common Reasons for Receiving a DLN

You may become liable for deportation if you:

• Breach visa conditions (e.g. work while on a visitor visa)
• No longer meet the rules of the visa you hold (for example, you hold a partnership-based visa, but you are no longer living in a partnership)
• Are convicted of a criminal offence
• Plead guilty to a criminal offence (even if you are discharged without conviction)
• Provide false or misleading information in a visa application

People whose visas have expired are automatically liable for deportation, so INZ does not need to serve them DLNs.

Key Timeframes and Deadlines

Timeframes vary depending on your situation:

• Visa holders usually have 28 days to file an appeal to the Immigration and Protection Tribunal (IPT)
• Overstayers have 42 days from the date that they first became unlawfully in New Zealand to file an appeal to the IPT

It is critical to act fast. Once the deadline expires, your options are significantly reduced.

Your Options After Receiving a DLN

• File an Appeal to the IPT (if eligible)
  You can appeal on humanitarian grounds, claiming that deportation is unjust or unduly harsh OR you can appeal on “the facts” in some cases
• Write a letter of good reason to Immigration New Zealand (if eligible)
  If INZ issues you a DLN “for cause” under s157 of the Immigration Act, you have 14 days to write a letter of good reason to INZ explaining why your deportation liability should be cancelled. There are a number of possible good reasons you could put forward to INZ.
• Depart voluntarily
  Leaving New Zealand voluntarily within 28 days of being served a DLN means that you won’t be considered to have been deported. Deportation records can impact future visa applications

Consequences of Being Deported

• A deportation record will likely prevent you from obtaining another visa to New Zealand for 5 years or more
• May affect your ability to get visas to other countries, such as Australia, the UK, the USA, and Canada
• Can impact family members or dependents who are included in your file

How Visa Matters Can Help

Visa Matters specialises in complex and urgent immigration matters. We have successfully assisted clients with:

• Filing IPT appeals
• Preparing strong Section 61 requests with supporting evidence
• Communicating directly with INZ to clarify errors or miscommunication
• Advising families at risk of separation or hardship due to deportation

Best Practices After Receiving a DLN

• Do not ignore the notice – acting fast is key
• Keep a copy of the DLN and any communications from INZ
• Seek legal advice immediately – do not wait until it’s too late
• Prepare evidence early – especially if claiming hardship or family impact

Final Thoughts

A Deportation Liability Notice doesn’t always lead to deportation. With the right advice, many people have been able to regularise their status and remain in New Zealand.

If you or someone you know has received a DLN, contact Visa Matters urgently. Time is of the essence, and we’re here to help.