Visa waiver

[Clanonthemove]

Hi everyone

If we had to travel and come to NZ on the visa waiver (as we are on the list of countries) what are the dangers? We are hearing so many horror stories of people being refused entry or even refused to bored planes leaving for NZ. The law states we are allowed to do a Look see discover trip, but why are so many people interrogated and sent back or refused?

If we are flagged, what questions are asked?

If we have proof of funds, stay and holiday bookings, why would we be refused entry?

We are feeling very anxious about the possibility of our small kids having to go through an interrogation process.

[Sun777]

Hi everyone

If we had to travel and come to NZ on the visa waiver (as we are on the list of countries) what are the dangers? We are hearing so many horror stories of people being refused entry or even refused to bored planes leaving for NZ. The law states we are allowed to do a Look see discover trip, but why are so many people interrogated and sent back or refused?

If we are flagged, what questions are asked?

If we have proof of funds, stay and holiday bookings, why would we be refused entry?

We are feeling very anxious about the possibility of our small kids having to go through an interrogation process.

There are wide range of reasons (in general) and such refusals are because people might not have provided correct information, suppressed information or just travelling for wrong purpose (drugs or other funny substances). Just being honest & transparent with the immigration officers and customs is simple mantra to stay away from any problems.

I'd say just relax and don't be too paranoid, prepare well for your trip and make the list of places you want to visit, activities you would like to do and in case you are here to attend interviews then do mention that.

[JandM]

Entirely agree with Sun777. I would add, look at the list of what is not allowed to be brought into NZ - I'm thinking, particularly under the biohazards category http://www.mpi.govt.nz/travel-and-re...ms-to-declare/ - and make sure you're not carrying anything like that. This is a MAJOR cause of people having to empty out ALL their baggage upon arrival, and of course, having broken one law often leads on to being questioned about one's whole situation.

Also, thinking about 'we are hearing so many horror stories', consider why people would be telling this, in person or to a newspaper or news station. What has others interested in listening, the tale of hours being questioned, held in segregation, repatriated, etc., or walking gently through arrivals, going through the queue to have your passport stamped, and being told to have a nice day by the official? In other words, you don't get to hear about the thousands and thousands of uneventful journeys, because there's nothing to tell. And officials are always alerted to travellers that they take aside by SOMETHING - it won't ever have been done just on a whim.