The Challenge:

The student had overstayed his student visa by three months when he approached us. His latest student visa application had been rejected due to frequent school and course changes over a five-year period, without completion of any program. This unsuccessful long history triggered Immigration New Zealand (INZ) ‘s concern that the student lack genuine intent to study. 
Our Solution:

Given the high likelihood of another student visa rejection, we thoroughly reassessed the student’s background. We discovered he had been in a committed relationship with a New Zealand citizen. Rather than reapplying for a student visa, we strategically submitted a Section 61 request based on his partnership. This pathway is discretionary and carries a high risk of refusal without explanation. To mitigate this, we prepared a robust submission with carefully framed legal reasoning and comprehensive documentation. Once the Section 61 visa was granted, we proceeded to apply for a partnership-based work visa and residence application. During the process, INZ questioned inconsistencies in the couple’s cohabitation timeline due to a date misstatement. We swiftly clarified the issue and submitted strong supporting evidence. When the residence application moved to the interview stage, we conducted multiple sessions of interview support. Anticipating potential concerns, we assisted them through realistic interview scenarios to ensure confident responses. 
The Outcome:

Both the work visa and residence visa were approved. What began as a high-risk case of overstaying ended with legal status, permanent residency, and a future of stability and opportunity in New Zealand. 
Highlight:

Successfully transitioned an overstaying international student into permanent residence through a carefully orchestrated Section 61 and partnership strategy — highlighting the importance of legal precision and emotional support in high-stakes immigration cases.