Why Choose Visa Matters

Who handles your case at Visa Matters?

At Visa Matters, you deal directly with Ankur Sabharwal, the founder and principal adviser, on the key aspects of your case. He remains personally involved in strategy, advice, risk assessment, and important decisions throughout the matter.

In some firms, clients may meet a senior adviser at the outset, with other team members then handling much of the work. At Visa Matters, the person responsible for the strategy and key decisions in your matter is Ankur.

His team assists with administrative and procedural tasks, but the advice and strategic direction come directly from him. For many clients, particularly those with complex or high stakes matters, that direct access to a senior, experienced adviser is an important part of what they are paying for.

Why do clients choose Visa Matters when you are not the cheapest?

This is a question worth answering directly. Visa Matters is not always the lowest-cost option, and Ankur does not try to compete on price alone.

Clients who choose Visa Matters when less expensive options are available typically say they did so because they wanted confidence, not just a lower fee. They were reassured by the strength and authenticity of the client reviews, the quality of the case studies, the straight-talking approach, and the public profile and media recognition that come from years of credible commentary on immigration issues.

For many clients, especially where the matter is urgent, stressful, or complicated, the decision is not based on price alone. It is based on trust, clarity, and confidence that the matter will be handled properly by someone who will give an honest view rather than a comfortable one.

Ankur’s approach is to take on matters he believes in, give an honest assessment, and present the strongest possible case. His clients see significant value in dealing directly with an experienced adviser who will tell them what they need to hear from the very first conversation.

His fee was higher than some other providers I considered, but his reputation is well-earned and, in my case, absolutely worth it for a fast and favourable result. I wouldn't hesitate to recommend him to anyone who needs reliable immigration advice.

After three visa refusals, two handled by an immigration lawyer and one by an adviser, we had almost lost hope. After that first phone call with Ankur, we felt confident enough to proceed with another application through him. With Ankur's support, my husband successfully received his visitor visa from India. We strongly recommend Ankur to anyone who feels like they are losing hope in their visa journey.

Can Visa Matters help if I have already been declined?

Yes. Some of Visa Matters’ strongest results have come from clients who approached Ankur after being declined elsewhere, sometimes multiple times.

The cases where Visa Matters often adds the most value are the ones other advisers may see as too difficult, too risky, or unlikely to succeed. These include prior visa declines, character issues, medical issues, breaches of visa conditions, Section 61 requests, deportation liability matters, special direction and ministerial intervention requests, and other complex matters where the client needs careful judgment and a fresh strategy.

Many of these clients say they valued receiving a realistic and honest assessment of their situation, rather than false reassurance or generic advice. An honest view of a difficult situation is more useful than a comfortable one.

What you can expect when working with Visa Matters

Several things, but the most important ones are:

Direct senior involvement
Your matter will be overseen by Ankur Sabharwal, with strategy, risk assessment, and key decisions handled personally.

Straightforward and honest advice
Immigration advice should be clear and realistic. You can expect honest feedback about your options, including the strengths, risks, challenges, or weaknesses in your case. Ankur provides a frank assessment from the outset.

Evidence-based approach
Immigration New Zealand makes decisions based on the information and evidence provided. Ankur’s approach reflects this. He assesses whether a case appears stronger or weaker, identifies potential risks, and helps present the case as clearly and effectively as possible. He does not offer guarantees or artificial success percentages.

A strong understanding of how Immigration New Zealand assesses applications
Successful applications are built on evidence, strategy, and clear presentation. Visa Matters focuses on understanding the facts, identifying potential concerns, and presenting each case as clearly and professionally as possible.

Experience with complex immigration matters
Visa Matters regularly assists with difficult cases, including declined applications, PPI responses, reconsiderations, Section 61 requests, deportation liability matters, special directions and ministerial interventions, and other situations where the outcome is not always straightforward.

Clear communication throughout the process
Immigration matters can be stressful and confusing. Clients can expect timely communication, practical guidance, and a clear understanding of what is happening at each stage of the process.

Recognised expertise and credible public profile
Ankur’s immigration commentary has appeared on TVNZ, Stuff, The Post, Indian Weekender, Awaaz, Times Now India, and other national and international media platforms. He was a top performing graduate of Toi Ohomai Institute of Technology, New Zealand’s sole provider of the Graduate Diploma in New Zealand Immigration Advice, and was profiled on Toi Ohomai’s website from 2019 to 2026. During this time, he was t he only immigration adviser continuously profiled by Toi Ohomai in this way. He has also been cited by respected New Zealand commentators, including Bernard Hickey and Dr Bryce Edwards. This reflects a level of independent recognition that is uncommon in the immigration advice profession.

Skilled Migrant Category Residence

Employer Accreditation, Job Checks, and Post-Accreditation Compliance Checks

Accredited Employer Work Visas (AEWV)

Partnership-Based Visas

PPI Letter Responses

Deportation Liability Notices

Section 61 Requests

Special Directions and Ministerial Interventions

Character and Medical Waiver Requests

Immigration and Protection Tribunal (IPT) Appeals

Business and Investment Visas

Can you guarantee my visa will be approved?

No. Ethical immigration advisers cannot guarantee visa approvals, because the final decision rests with Immigration New Zealand or the relevant decision maker, not with the adviser.

Clients often ask about their chances of success during the first phone call. The honest answer is that no responsible adviser can properly assess that question without first understanding the full facts and considering the available evidence. What Ankur can do is give a professional view on whether a case appears stronger or weaker, identify the key risks, and explain clearly what those risks mean in practice.

Visa Matters takes an evidence-based approach because that is how Immigration New Zealand makes decisions. The goal is always to present the strongest possible case based on the specific circumstances. As Ankur often says, the only guarantee is that if a person does not apply, they will not have a visa approved.

CASE STUDIES

Real Outcomes From Real Clients

The following are anonymised examples of matters Visa Matters has handled. They are drawn from the full case study library, which you can read here.

Character Waiver: Miss BW

Miss BW applied for residence under the 2021 Resident Visa category. During processing, Immigration New Zealand identified that her partner had provided false and misleading information on an earlier work visa application. Visa Matters advised both clients to be completely honest about what had happened and made a character waiver request on their behalf. INZ approved the waiver, and both clients were approved residence.

Medical Waiver: Mr G

Mr G held an employer-supported work visa that was about to expire, and at the time of his next application he was suffering from terminal cancer. He did not qualify for a medical waiver under standard criteria. Visa Matters identified several exceptional circumstances and advocated to INZ for an exception to instructions. INZ approved a further three-year work visa, allowing Mr G to continue working and continue his cancer treatment in New Zealand.

Breach of Visa Conditions: Mr X

Mr X had worked in breach of his employer supported work visa conditions for nearly a year and received a PPI letter from INZ. Visa Matters advised him to stop working in breach immediately and then prepared submissions explaining the circumstances, including why he remained a bona fide applicant and why the breach had not been deliberate. INZ accepted the submissions and approved a further work visa. At the time Visa Matters became involved, his employer was close to terminating his employment within 24 hours.

Special Direction Request: Mr AL

Mr AL’s resident visa application was declined after INZ discovered that he had previously been deported from a European country, which had not been disclosed in his application. When he approached Visa Matters, he was in New Zealand without a valid visa and was facing deportation. Visa Matters identified that a special direction from the Associate Minister of Immigration was his only realistic pathway. The Minister’s representative approved the special direction, allowing the character requirement to be waived for Mr AL’s next visa application. This allowed him to remain in New Zealand with his wife and young child.

Three Prior Declines: Sony Sidhu

After three previous visa refusals handled by two other advisers, including an immigration lawyer, the client’s family had almost given up. Visa Matters took on the matter, prepared the application with full transparency, and worked closely with the client throughout the process. The visitor visa was approved. Sony Sidhu’s review is quoted above.

Recognised and Trusted

Ankur Sabharwal’s commentary on New Zealand immigration has appeared on TVNZ Breakfast, Stuff, The Post, the Indian Weekender, Awaaz, and Times Now India. He has also been cited by respected New Zealand commentators, including Bernard Hickey and Dr Bryce Edwards.

These are independent signals of credibility, not self promotion. They reflect a public profile built over years of practice, media engagement, and immigration commentary that clients, journalists, and public commentators have found useful and trustworthy.
Ankur also has a Google Knowledge Panel, which helps verify his public profile and professional identity online.