An old student loan does not mean you will be arrested at the airport.
But if you have been overseas for years, have lost contact with Inland Revenue, and are now planning to come back to New Zealand, guessing is not a plan.
The problem is often not just the balance. It is the history: missed assessments, old correspondence, penalties and interest, previous discussions with Inland Revenue, and whether any enforcement steps have already been taken.
Before you book your flight, do these five things.
1. Get the full loan history.
Do not rely on the figure you remember borrowing twenty years ago, or even on a balance without context.
2. Collect every letter, email and previous payment proposal.
The detail matters. It may show what Inland Revenue knew, what was sent, and what was previously discussed.
If you cannot access myIR, do not know how to obtain the history, or no longer have the documents, call me. We can start there.
3. Be clear about your travel plans.
The date of travel, how long you intend to stay, and your prior contact with Inland Revenue can all matter.
4. Do not assume a token payment or one phone call resolves the position.
It may be sensible to engage. But it must be done with a proper understanding of the file, not as a last-minute gesture.
5. Get the position assessed before travelling.
There is no simple public online warrant-checking service, and no lawyer can guarantee an airport outcome. But the history can be reviewed, the right questions can be asked, and a practical approach can be prepared before travel.
If you have an old overseas student-loan debt and are considering returning to New Zealand, contact Dave Ananth to arrange a short initial call before making travel plans.