Couple's life now in limbo after immigration denial

Patricia and Dorjee Tsering are fighting to stay in New Zealand.

Tibetan man Tsering Dorjee enters limbo today - his visa has now expired, leaving him liable for deportation and separation from his New Zealand wife, Patricia.

Immigration New Zealand has declined Mr Tsering's visa renewal because it doubts the genuineness of his marriage.

Despite references from family, friends and the Tibetan government-in-exile attesting to the validity of the couple's marriage, the department has been unwavering in its view of the case.

Earlier this week the couple appealed to Immigration Minister Iain Lees-Galloway for Mr Tsering to be granted a visa under section 61 of the Immigration Act, which gives the minister discretion to do so.

Authority for section 61 appeals has been delegated to Associate Immigration Minister Kris Faafoi.

An INZ spokesman confirmed no enforcement action would be taken until the process had been worked through.

"As is standard practice, this appeal has been delegated to a senior INZ decision-maker," an INZ spokesman said.

"It's not possible to say how long this decision will take ... a separate request for ministerial intervention has also been received.

"As per normal practice, it will be considered if necessary once the section 61 decision has been made."

In the meantime, the future of the Tserings remains uncertain.

"Our application was extremely thorough, around 150 pages covering every angle," Mrs Tsering said. "It took us months to prepare. It was a full-time job compiling perhaps 500 photos, 12 months of collecting receipts from every purchase made."

If her husband was denied a visa she would be "exiled'', she said. "That is what I will be, as I will not leave my husband."

The Tserings married in India. Soon after they arrived in Dunedin, where Mrs Tsering was raised, INZ officials visited them early in the morning to quiz them about their relationship.